Write Your Way In: Crafting an Unforgettable College Admissions Essay (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)

For all the anxiety that surrounds the college admissions process, one part of the application lies completely within a student’s control: the essay. In this book, Rachel Toor—writing instructor and coach at all levels from high school to senior faculty, and former admissions officer at Duke University—shows that the key to writing a successful application essay is learning to present an honest portrait of yourself. This may sound simple but it means unlearning many of the principles taught in high school writing courses, avoiding the traps of mimicking sample essays and writing what you think admissions officers want to hear, and above all being willing to reveal your flaws as well as your strengths on the page. It also means mastering key mechanical issues that can undermine even the most thoughtful pieces of student writing. Toor offers her advice in a lively, humorous, and engaging tone, with stories of real students and their writing struggles and successes scattered throughout.