Who reads my college essay?

Your essay will be read by the admission committee, which will include admission counselors and in some cases professors.

Do admissions officers read your entire essay?

Yes, admissions officers do actually read essays, but they might have already screened candidates first in a preliminary round. Every admissions office has a different process and it's impossible to sum up the exact step-by-step process for each admission office in one blog post.

Who can check my college essay?

Turn to your school counselor for review. They understand what college admissions panels are looking for, and they can provide valuable insight into your piece's quality. You can also reach out to English teachers and other educators for proofreading.

How many people will read my college essay?

Every admission office is different – and most times, your essay will have the opportunity to be read by at least two – and sometimes three or four! – people.

Who views your college application?

Each college is different, so you probably won't know for sure who reviewed your application specifically. Rest assured; however, admissions readers, admissions officers, and admissions committees are all professionals who take each application seriously.

reading my emotional college essay that got me into princeton, upenn, duke, and brown

How long do admissions officers read essays?

Once a student meets the school's academic standards, their admissions officer will review the rest of their application package, including their essays and extracurricular profile. On average, readers spend four to 10 minutes assessing these elements before assigning the application a score.

How are college essays evaluated?

A stand-out essay in which the reader learns a lot about the applicant can earn top marks, while a well-written essay that reveals little about the applicant can earn middle-of-the-road marks, and a poorly written essay where the reader learns nothing new about the applicant can get a low mark.

Should I have someone read my college essay?

They can provide valuable insight into whether your essay sounds like you and if it showcases your personality and achievements. It's also helpful to ask someone who has experience with college essays or strong writing skills, as they can help you with structure, grammar, and clarity.

How do I know if my college essay is good enough?

Can my college essay be exactly 650 words?

Personal Statement Length vs.

Similarly, the Coalition Application, which has 150 member schools, features an essay with a recommended length of 500-650 words. 650 words is the most common limit for your personal statement, but some schools may ask students to write more or less.

Can a good college essay get you in?

Essays are a critical component to earning a personal score of 2. It's both what you write about and how you write about it. (The personal score also considers your recommendations, additional information, and interview.) Strong essays can move your personal score from 3 to 2, increasing your admissions chances by 10x.

How personal should I get with my college essay?

The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through. Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable.

Is it OK to have someone edit your college essay?

It is most certainly okay to have someone proofread your essay before you submit it. It is NOT okay to have someone write your entire essay for you or edit it in such a way that it takes away from your voice. However, as with writing anything, proofreading is an integral part of the writing process.

Do colleges look at every assignment?

Colleges see any and all grades and information reported on your official transcript (again—you should request a copy!), but they care most about and evaluate your final grades in core academic courses.

Are your college essays private?

No, they're confidential. You need to make a special request to see your own. And others are not generally allowed unless there is a good reason. That said, I advise against writing about something that would open you up to blackmail.

Do college admissions officers look you up?

Yes, it's true that some admissions officers check applicants' social media profiles, but not all colleges do this, and it's not the most important part of the application process. In recent years, some colleges have started looking at social media to get a better sense of applicants.

Can a bad essay ruin your college application?

After months or even years of working to achieve excellent test scores, strong grades, and relevant work/volunteering experiences, fatigue can get the best of people. However, a weak college application essay can severely hurt your chance of admission.

Is name dropping bad in college essays?

Consider your impact carefully before name dropping specific professors. This may be appropriate to include if the professor's research covers a specific academic interest of yours or if you've read a book they've published. However, steer away from browsing the school's website just to drop in a professor's name.

Can a bad college essay negatively affect my application?

A bad essay will prompt an admission officer to assume one of two things: 1) either you don't care enough about your future at their school to take the time to write a good essay or 2) you aren't academically up to attending their college or university. Neither of those assumptions will help you get admitted.

What do admissions counselors look for in essays?

Colleges look for three things in your admission essay: a unique perspective, strong writing, and an authentic voice.

What is inappropriate to write about in a college essay?

Avoid topics that are: Overly personal (e.g. graphic details of illness or injury, romantic or sexual relationships) Not personal enough (e.g. broad solutions to world problems, inspiring people or things) Too negative (e.g. an in-depth look at your flaws, put-downs of others, criticizing the need for a college essay)

How do you make a college essay stand out?

Do admissions officers see your name?

At many large public universities, no human may ever see any of an applicant's materials. They tend to use fully automated, algorithm-driven evaluation. Someone will see a name if the student makes some other contact with the office, possibly to take a tour.

How much do colleges look at your essay?

At the top 250 schools, your essays generally account for 25% of your overall application. This is only slightly behind the 30% for extracurriculars. Essays are actually ahead of the 20% for grades and coursework, 15% for test scores, and 10% for recommendations and interviews.

How do college admissions read essays?

Many schools make sure most applications receive at least two full reads before going to committee. The second reader will add additional input and notes to the applicant's file. The second reader often agrees with the comments and recommendations of the first reader but sometimes they will disagree.