When I questioned admissions officers from Vanderbilt, Denison, Richmond, Miami, Delaware, Marist, and Gettysburg Colleges on how much--or how little attention--essays get in admissions decisions at a virtual breakout panel at the Independent Education Consultants Association Conference, we discussed the value of the Common Application essay, college-specific “Why Us?” and community/diversity supplements. While there’s a general consensus that the essay will not be the single factor that leads to admission, strong essays, written by humans, not AI, absolutely matter.
The “most-competitive” colleges value essays somewhat below rigor, GPA, and (sometimes) standardized test scores; they are at least on par with extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and other factors. For highly selective programs within a university, such as the Ross Business School at the University of Michigan, specific supplements are read carefully by a team of admissions professionals within the school. All “Why Us?” supplemental essays should be written thoughtfully, regardless of how competitive admissions is. Since the Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action, many colleges are adding supplements on community and inclusion to gauge how well students engage with others in diverse environments.
Admissions officers claim to read every essay with positive intentions to admit rather than deny. That being said, a generic essay, or one that’s trying too hard to be different, doesn’t help a student’s application. Students never have to write a boring or contrived essay once they understand the essay’s purpose and the best way to approach it.
Finally, students who are applying to college test-optionally or with scores that do not represent their true ability should focus on writing essays that truly enhance their applications. As admission grows less predictable, I encourage students to use everything in their power to craft essays that reveal the positive character traits that colleges seek to enhance their communities.
Consider these colleges...
Rhodes College: One of the Colleges that Change Lives, is consistently ranked as one of the top most beautiful colleges and one of few LAC with urban location in Memphis TN; near a golf course, zoo, concert hall, and park.
Honor Code is completely student-run.
More internships than they can fill.
Huge community service commitment.
Health professions advising for about 65% of incoming students.
Unique, year-long paid medical research at St. Jude’s 40 hours per week.
Acceptance to med school is 6X the national average.
Top music business–even though they do not offer music business as a major.
Top mock trial team.
Rollins College: Another “most beautiful campus” in Winter Park, near Orlando, is Florida's oldest college, has 3,200 students
3+2 accelerated management program.
Rollins Gateway is a unique 4 year experience for each student including internships, service, and study abroad.
Each student has a gateway advisor.
Every application is read 3 times.
Does not use AI!
University of Florida: Orlando Airport 15 minutes from campus. A top 10 university,with 60,0000 total student body/38,000 undergraduate and 97% retention rate.
Honors Village with 5 buildings.
New Meteorology major.
$1,000,000,000 research spending.
Leader in AI; every major can earn a certificate in AI.
Moving to EA deadline November 1st deadline.
Grandparent waiver is open for all FL public colleges (apply immediately after submitting the application).
Gatorade invented on campus.
University of West Virginia: Morgantown, one 20 best college towns in the country, is about one hour from Pittsburgh. 24,000 students from every state and many countries.
A1 Research institution.
Top FBI certified Forensics Science, offers a BS, MS, and Ph.D.
Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute was the first institute for studies of human memory and top trauma center.
Leading competitor in robotics, beat 103 teams in 15 countries.
WVSGC is a group of West Virginia academic institutions with industrial partners under the sponsorship of NASA.
Full law school on campus + accelerated 6 year law degree.
In-state tuition at law school.
Average 48K out of state with chance for up to 19K merit. 55% out of state.
Four colleges this week, another four next week!
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh requires students to apply directly into programs for these 6 undergrad colleges: Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Humanities, Mellon Science, Drama/Theatre. Information Systems bridges 3 colleges. B X A allows students to bridge an artistic area with a STEM area. Very collaborative Integrative Design Tech and the Arts program can be built into a minor. Computer Science applicants should send test scores!
Clark University is a liberal arts/research university, one in a college consortium that includes the College of the Holy Cross, Assumption University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and 3 medical schools. Students think critically, make the world a better place. Apply for general admissions before choosing a major. Everyone gets a first year academic advisor and a success coach. 4 + 1 MA program; apply at the end of junior year. Free degree! Top psychology, business, and game design programs. Clark tracks demonstrated interest for waitlist students.
Ithaca College was voted to have the best undergraduate teaching by USNWR. Emphasis on theory practice performance. Professors are active collaborators. Immersive and interactive learning experiences. 5,000 students in 5 schools: Business, Music, Health Sciences/Human Performance, top-ranked film programs in the Roy H. Park School of Communications, Exploratory Program. 6 year PT and OT programs. Beautiful lake-side campus offers 200 clubs and 27 teams + more restaurants per capita than NYC! The Ithaca Commitment makes financial aid info as transparent as possible. 100% receive merit award and 4 year cost projection with minimal increases.
Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI was founded by two women as a business school before women’s suffrage. Hospitality and Business are the biggest majors; the newest college is Health and Wellness; 8 majors have higher GPA and course requirements. Students move on to graduate programs in PT, OT, and PA. Students are provided with personal advisors, including specialists for career advice. New interdisciplinary major. This year introduced a fee-based support program for IEP students; the first cohort just graduated. 27% first gens. 52% residential.
Next week, 4 more colleges!
