A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays: Practical Advice for Students and Parents

The essay has long been an important piece of the college application, and it will likely become more so as schools begin to put less weight on test scores. This title, like others published recently (Ethan Sawyer’s College Essay Essentials; Princeton Review’s Complete Guide to College Application Essays), focuses on crafting essays that address the prompts and fit within the word limits of the Common Application. It also offers strategies for tackling the supplemental essays required by some schools. The volume guides readers from getting the first word on the page, to hitting the submit button (with an added section on dealing with rejection letters). The book is distinguished by its succinct advice (even the shortest attention spans will be able to stay the course) and its four authors’ varied perspectives—Suzanne Franklin and Linda Black are college counselors, Paul Weingarten is a journalist and editor, and Cory M. Franklin is a physician who has published widely in academic and popular outlets. The inclusion of sample essays from successful applications is a plus.