It’s that time of the year, when while walking downs the hall you can almost feel the tension at the heart of panic-stricken seniors. It’s college application time.
The true anxiety is not the actual application. The college application is relatively straight forward, asking only for the fundamentals: our name, our birth date, our address, etc. It would be harmless if that were where it stopped; however, it comes with a daunting accessory: the personal essay.
Somehow, admittance to college has become dependent on an essay in which we must choose 500 flawless words that will somehow capture us as a whole. And as though this isn’t intimidating enough, the essay is given under stakes that are very high, with rigorous acceptance rates.
The essence of each essay’s topic asks us to find our story. Apparently, everyone has a story, but when we sit down and contemplate what to write about, it is difficult to choose just one.
Keenan Zordan, senior advises that “the ultimate goal is to write an essay that reflects you. Colleges are looking for the best representation of yourself, your thoughts, and your opinions.” You want to show your determination without coming off too stern, you want to be funny without having them think you cannot be pensive, but most of all you want to be yourself.
This is a lot to ask of a teenager.
In most cases, it is hard enough discovering who we are, but trying to put it in words for an admissions officer (that we have not and will not ever meet) seems nearly impossible. “At first, when I began writing my essays, I only wrote what I thought they wanted to hear. I was trying to make an outstanding impression, but I wasn’t presenting who I really am. With practice I learned to make my essays sound intelligent, yet casual, while accurately reflecting my personality,” said Courtney Lefevre, senior.
Everyone is ready to share a story; the struggle is deciding which one to share.
Mrs. Steiner, PR’s College & Career Center Coordinator, says that “what they’re looking for is information that isn’t on your application. They are looking for some insight into who you really are, that isn’t already mentioned.” There is great benefit in coming to PR’s college visits to meeting admissions officers. These are the people that will actually read the applications and give input in the decisions regarding your admission.
Keep yourself up to date with all things college- or future-oriented by paying Mrs. Steiner a visit. You’ll be glad you did.