A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays

April 1, 2021
The specter of the college essay looms large over students. In this concise book, the authors, two of whom are college counselors and two of whom are writers, guide students through the process of writing several drafts of an essay that is authentic and compelling. From the outset, they are frank about the book's purpose: it is a place to start, and further resources are thoughtfully organized in the final pages. They also caution that a good essay is no guarantee of acceptance. Nonetheless, this volume is full of useful general advice and practical and specific directives, from the importance (or not) of choosing a prompt from the options on the Common App to rules for capitalization and how to avoid clich�s. They encourage students to write a first draft without worrying about the word count, followed by a chapter devoted to editing and how to accept critiques from others. Here, too, is an interview with a college counselor, and uplifting words for those who face rejection. This slim guide will be a welcome addition to public- and high-school-library collections.

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May 1, 2021

The essay has long been an important piece of the college application, and it will likely become more so as schools begin to put less weight on test scores. This title, like others published recently (Ethan Sawyer's College Essay Essentials; Princeton Review's Complete Guide to College Application Essays), focuses on crafting essays that address the prompts and fit within the word limits of the Common Application. It also offers strategies for tackling the supplemental essays required by some schools. The volume guides readers from getting the first word on the page, to hitting the submit button (with an added section on dealing with rejection letters). The book is distinguished by its succinct advice (even the shortest attention spans will be able to stay the course) and its four authors' varied perspectives--Suzanne Franklin and Linda Black are college counselors, Paul Weingarten is a journalist and editor, and Cory M. Franklin is a physician who has published widely in academic and popular outlets. The inclusion of sample essays from successful applications is a plus. VERDICT A concise primer on concise writing. Will appeal to college applicants and some parents.--Sara Holder, Univ. of Illinois Libs., Champaign

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