The number of applications to colleges and universities around the United States has increase exponentially in recent years. What began with 15 charter members in 1975, the Common Application has grown to have 456 members today, including international members.
Coupled with the ability to submit forms online in the past decade (or so), the Common Application has made for a much more streamlined application process for the college bound high school student, than they have ever seen. With that ease of applying have come the inevitable complaints of application overload.
So with the application process being so “common,” how does a student make sure they stand out?
Through the persuasion of the almighty essay!
The college essay is probably one of the most neglected components of the college application process.
That’s too bad.
Because the college essay is where the student can show the admissions officer what kind of person they really are.
Making sure your student’s essay is well written is akin to a performer making sure that they are facing the audience and projecting their voice, rather than muffling their words toward the back of the stage.
Strategies for College, Inc. will be hosting an essay workshop on August 11th, for rising high school seniors who live near Greater Boston. Registration can be completed at this link and should be done so by June 30th.
For students struggling with the process of coming up with a topic, to those who need guidance on properly filling out the Common Application, this workshop is a fantastic opportunity to “jump start” their essay work over the summer months. The workshop will run from 9am to 2pm (approximately) and will cover essay brainstorming, tips on writing a strong essay that reflects the student’s “voice,” and a review of good, bad, and ugly essays of days gone by. We will also be going over an online demonstration of the Common Application form.
Help your student put their best foot forward by focusing on the essay this coming summer!
