By Rick Clark, Georgia Tech Admissions
Last week I talked to a high school senior as a favor to a friend.
The student is not applying to Georgia Tech, so I was giving him general
application advice.
We talked about prioritizing extra-curricular activities, such as
putting the things you care about most and have the most involvement
with, first. While an application may have eight, 10 or 30 lines for
involvement, busy admission officers who speed read this section may
only get to third on the list. Make them want to keep learning about you
by telling them clearly and thoroughly what’s most important to you.
Then we talked about his supplemental responses. Since I don’t work
for the schools he’s applying to, I told him to research their websites,
social media, and literature and pay attention to themes, key messages,
and mission statements. At Tech we focus on our motto of Progress and Service and improving the human condition.
Students applying to us will see questions along those lines, or
should be astute enough to find opportunities to provide connections to
those concepts. Every school has these, you just have to dig deeper at
some places.
Inside Tip: if you can’t identify what’s important to a school,
then they haven’t done a good job articulating it, or they can’t
differentiate themselves, or they’re just not resonating with you. Any
of these is a red flag.
Tips about the college application essay
Finally, we talked about his essay. I’ll be honest, the topic was
trite (something about learning through basketball about overcoming
odds). Admittedly, at that point, I was also packing for a trip so I was
a bit distracted (and I was not being paid for this time or advice).
But here’s the bottom line: the topic doesn’t really matter anyway.
I’ve been reading essays for over 15 years. I’ve read for several
institutions, two testing agencies, and various scholarship
competitions. Conservatively, I’d say I’ve looked at more than 10,000
essays by now. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more, and I know plenty
of people on my staff and around the country who put that number to
shame.
But as somewhat of an expert, here’s what I firmly believe: there is
no completely unique topic. Sports analogy about life, failure, and
triumph? Heard it. Mission trip to a third world country, including
multiple transportation modes, animal crossings, and flat tires? Check.
Family drama where you displayed tremendous patience, empathy, and
wisdom beyond your years? Sure.
The list goes on: difficult coach/teacher turned advocate… stuck out a
horrible summer job that provided valuable lessons and renewed focus
and direction … beloved grandparent who moved in, built close
friendship, died, but taught a lot of valuable lessons in life and death
(this one often doubles as an excuse for late app submission as well)…
second verse, same as the first.
As Ecclesiastes says, “When it comes to college admission, there is
nothing new under the sun” RCV (Rick Clark Version). Does that mean the
essay does not matter? That you should resign yourself to mediocrity?
Not at all!
My point is that your energy should not be spent on selecting the
topic. Once you figure out which question you want to answer, meaning
you really have something to say or you’re somewhat excited to respond,
start writing.
Find Your Voice
Knowing the topic won’t differentiate you, it has to be something
else, right? This is where your voice has to be evident. And like the
list of extra-curricular activities, it needs to be clear in the first
sentence or two. I know many readers who read the first and last
paragraphs and only go back if those are compelling. Otherwise, it’s a
dime a dozen and the ratings are accordingly average.
Some schools will tell you that two separate readers evaluate every
essay in its entirety. Given volume, staff sizes, and compressed
timelines between application deadlines and decision release, that seems
at worst a blatant lie, and at best an incredibly inefficient process.
Step 1: Read it aloud. There is something magical
about reading out loud. As adults we don’t do this enough. In reading
aloud to kids, colleagues, or friends we hear things differently, and
find room for improvement when the writing is flat. So start by voice
recording your essay.
Step 2: Do it again and Listen. REALLY listen. Is
there emotion in it? Does your humor come out? Can the reader feel your
sadness? Does it sound like you? If you can’t tell, play it for someone
you know and trust. What do they say?
Step 3: Do the Math. (What?! I was told there would
be no math on the essay section.) If 5,000 other applicants chose the
same essay prompt, and 100 of those choose the same topic, will your
essay be noticed? Does it provide specifics and descriptions of you or
others, as well as setting and moment?
Step 4: Keep it simple. Three steps is enough. Once
you’ve gone through those, hit submit and move on. Sitting on your essay
until deadline day is only going to drive you nuts. So pray over it, do
a dance, catch a falling leaf, or whatever else you think will help,
and then be done.
Your essay topic may not be entirely different or unique, but your senior year can be. Go enjoy it!
