Do Colleges Read Your Essay

Before you do this, remember one thing: the sole purpose of your college essay is to get into college. Drug and alcohol use, sex, arrests and/or jail time are topics that you should steer clear of, even if they are life issues you’ve worked through.You would not want your judgment to be called into question for the decisions you’ve made (even if they are in the past) or for making the decision to write about the decisions you’ve made.Topics like death and divorce are cautionary because they can be extremely difficult to write about.

Before you do this, remember one thing: the sole purpose of your college essay is to get into college. Drug and alcohol use, sex, arrests and/or jail time are topics that you should steer clear of, even if they are life issues you’ve worked through.You would not want your judgment to be called into question for the decisions you’ve made (even if they are in the past) or for making the decision to write about the decisions you’ve made.Topics like death and divorce are cautionary because they can be extremely difficult to write about.

I know I am taking a risk writing that here because this application will go to every school I apply to.

First of all, let me quickly say to all the non-Dartmouth Admissions officers: I liked your schools fine and this is no bearing on you.

It’s actually super boring and, perhaps, may cause some eyes to roll.

Avoid this topic at all costs unless you’re starting with that followed up with some along the lines of, “…so I decided to leave my cushy private school to switch places at a public high school in Detroit with an inner-city teen and this is what happened.” Now THAT would make for an interesting essay.

The summer after fifth grade my parents told me we were going to move to Arizona to take care of my sick grandparents.

Dartmouth: You are the school I really want to go to. For many students, the issue is the narrative, which begins at the essay’s focus: the topic. Doubtful – many students even take it upon themselves to create their own version of an anti-essay (see number seven on the list).This may be one of the most popular essay topics out there…and it’s also one of the most boring clichés around.Nobody needs a summary of your vacation – people know what happens on mission trips and during volunteer hours.(See example within the opening of this article.) So, you’re creative, smart and so over this whole essay thing.You’re not going to be put inside a box with a regular essay; you’re going to do your own thing. Some of the best and brightest students do this: basically, they create the anti-essay.Admissions officers have heard enough about “the thrill of victory” and “the agony of defeat” in relation to high school athletics and they are sick and tired of pretending to care. You may have a story in your essay that’s funny and that’s okay – but that’s different. Admissions officers will see the futile attempt – and likely not find it amusing. You’re privileged and you appreciate it, which is great.Make sure you’re funny for a reason and not just funny because you’re attempting to be. However, discussing it doesn’t make for a great essay.It was there he met Anita, a local elderly woman who wanted to learn how to read but came from a poor family so she never had the opportunity. College essays are similar to life and, in life, nobody likes a braggart.These topics are broad, unfocused and make a boring read.