Writing a Winning College Admission Essay Earth Moving Essays: A Rarity Rarely does a student write an essay that causes the earth to move under the admission office. A veteran admission officer once mused that she felt she might be getting insensitive in her older age because essays about the death of a family pet no longer touched her in ways they once did. Another admission dean tells the story of wanting to inform a newly admitted freshman that she would be a minority of one when she arrived on campus. The essay she had written about leadership stated that she viewed herself to be a first-rate "follower.” All of the other applicants, it appears, told the essay readers they were excellent leaders. She was rewarded for her candor. Essays are read by people who see hundreds of essays each year. Be certain that yours is reader friendly. When you've reached that point, you'll know it. Push back from the keyboard or put down your pen. You have a quality essay! ...
