Your College Essays Are Probably Not So Good

Your College Essays Are Probably Not So Good December 25 Theres a good chance that your childs college essays arent very good. Even if you may think they are. Its not too late, even as we approach the January 1st deadline, to get in touch with us to find out whats wrong with them and how we can help your child fix them. Theres a very good chance that your college essays are probably not so good. Theres a good chance that with less than a week left before the Regular Decision deadline, your college essays need to be scrapped entirely. This is true for the vast majority of college applicants. In fact, in all of our years in this business, it is the rare exception when we read a compelling, well-crafted admissions essay that we didnt help the student shape. So when parents and students tell us that theyre just about done with their essays or theyre all done, we think its ridiculous. Because submitting bad college essays or even essays that arent so good will hurt ones candidacy. Essays put applicants over the edge. And bad essays wont only not helptheyll hurt. So what are some examples of bad college essay topics, you ask? Well, if your essay focuses on your major activities, theres a good chance that your essay is bad. College essays should not focus on your activities unless its an activity essay in which youre asked to write about a significant activity in your life. If your essay is about your grandfather, sharing his story of coming to America and all that hes taught you, thats really sweet. You should give it to your grandfather if hes alive. But dont submit this as your college essay because college admissions officers dont care to learn about grandpa. Rather, they want to learn about you. And how about that essay about sports? Avoid it. So many students write about sports and these essays read as so cliche! Or how about an essay on volunteering? Every admissions officer wants to see that a student volunteers his or her time after school each day, right? Wrong. College admissions officers at highly selective colleges arent looking to fill an incoming class with a bunch of students who volunteer a few hours each week with Key Club. That isnt impress and it reads as though youre trying to impress admissions officers with how good of a person you are.  Anyhow, the list on bad college essay topics goes on and on. We just wanted to point out a fewthe tip of the iceberg if you will. If you need last-minute college essay assistance, we can read and critique your essays and offer you our feedback. We can then brainstorm new topics, direction, and structure for these essays. Theres no reason to stress. Major, great changes can still be made. But, yes, time is of the essence so we suggest you not wait further to get in touch with us.