Advice from the Experts

On Being Real

"These kids can't answer the most simple question I ask them: What do you do for fun? That's heartbreaking. And I don't want them on my campus."

— A retired Dean of Admission, via Mark Moody, MSquared College Counseling Source
"We look for credibility and, ultimately, genuineness. We want students who are doing the right things for the right reasons — not manufacturing an image for admissions purposes."

— Bruce Poch, Former Vice President and Dean of Admission, Pomona College Source
"Our admissions officers are looking for something that is authentic and imperfect, and somebody who is thinking differently."

— Amy Gutmann, former President, University of Pennsylvania Source

"The 'best' college is the one that is the best fit for a particular student — academically, socially, and financially."

— Denise Pope, Challenge Success, Stanford University Source
"The better an applicant can align their background and goals with the mission of the institution, the more likely they will be seen as a good fit."

— Dan Budak, Director of Admissions, Vermont Law and Graduate School Source

"It's really your major opportunity to speak up for yourself — your chance to say, 'Hello, this is me, and here's what matters to me.'"

— Marcia Landesman, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Yale University Source
"I like reading a personal story that is tied to real life. I like it when I can hear a student's voice. Storytellers are always good."

— Kim Bryant, Assistant Director of Admissions, University of Michigan Source
"Some of the worst college essays I've read were actually written quite well — but the student's unique voice had been lost through editing. There is no voice more charming to an admissions reviewer than the natural writing voice of a high school senior."

— Azure Brown, former Senior Admissions Evaluator, University of California Source
"We always said: make it so personal that you couldn't put anyone else's name on that essay and have it still be true."

— Grace Kim, former admissions officer, Stanford University Source
"The biggest mistake is simply to rehash your resume. The essay is your forum to tell an admissions officer and committee a story."

— Shawn Abbott, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Admissions, New York University Source
"When I put down your application, I want to feel like I just stepped out of your life."

— Eddie Picket, Assistant Director of Admissions, Tufts University Source

"The best essays are the ones where we don't just want to admit the student — we want to take them out for coffee once they're here. We're not admitting academic machines."

— Macy Lenox, Associate Dean of Admissions, University of Virginia Source
"I love when students talk about their unusual hobbies, the businesses they started, or the life-changing trips they took."

— Kelly Nolin, Director of Admissions, University of Montana Source
"We want some bumps. We like students who understand that only in risking failure do we become stronger, better, and smarter."

— Duke University Office of Admissions Source
"The best quality a student can bring to the admission process is a sense of knowing themselves, their strengths, goals, and what they will contribute to their college community."

— Stratton, admissions professional, via U.S. News & World Report Source