The key to earning a spot in your dream program is standing out on your application. Check out our top three tips for writing your admissions essays.
Over the last 7 years, our team has worked with hundreds of students on their applications. Now, more than ever, university admissions are extremely competitive. What will make your application stand out? Read our top 3 tips for acing your university admissions essays to find out.
There is no “one-type” of student that universities are looking for. Most admissions committees want to bring a diverse group of unique individuals into their program. When you are writing your application, ask yourself whether anyone else could write this story. The more specific you are about your experience, the better!
For example: are you Student Council President? Amazing! However, there are many other students who will be writing about the same role. The key to standing out? Hone in on YOUR story. Focus on elements that no one else can talk about. Make sure you show that YOUR unique experience as President is unlike any other.
The admissions essays is a sales pitch... for yourself. Your only objective is to convince the admissions teams that you are worthy of their investment. The best way to do this? Use your past experiences as hard evidence of your best qualities, while showing how you have grown and continue to grow.
Most people struggle with including the "growth" part and explaining who you hope to become. Not sure what your goals are post-university? Most people aren’t, however, it’s easier for the admissions team to ‘buy’ into you if given a concrete path of who you plan to become. For business school applicants: are you a future entrepreneur? Accountant? Brand Manager? For medical students: do you want to be a cutting edge brain surgeon? Family Practitioner? For law school hopefuls: do you see yourself in corporate law? Family law? International affairs? It is okay if you don't know yet, but providing a concrete vision for yourself is your best chance at closing the sale.
One of the common mistakes we see students make is putting all their effort into what they write about, and none into how the essays are written. University admissions essays are always evaluated on content AND writing style. How well your essay reads is JUST as important as the experiences you have chosen to share.
Most students will submit an essay with great content. Most of these essays, however, are poorly structured with little attention to word choice and grammar. These essays definitely stand out... but not how you want. Our advice? Make sure your essay tells a story and is easy to read from start to finish. There should be no room for the reader to misinterpret or misunderstand any part of your essay. Keep it simple, clean, and well written.
