Table of Contents

Part 1—Insights on Essays
(Introduction to Part 1)

• Common Essay Topics and Questions
• The Role of the Essay in the Admission Process
• Learn More About Yourself
• Do Some Serious Brainstorming
• Check Out the College's Own Resources for Essay Ideas
• Observe These DOs and DON'Ts for Theme and Content
• Write, Write, and Write Some More
• Impress Them With Your Style...but Don't Resort to Gimmicks
• Avoid Careless Errors and Grammatical Blunders
• Obtain Useful Feedback and Fine-Tune Your Essay
• Package and Present Your Essay Appropriately

Part 2—50 Great Essays

• A Revealing Look at the Real Me (7 Essays)
• Meaningful Metaphors and Symbolic Keepsakes (7 Essays)
• Family Ties (7 Essays)
  (Essay #18)
• Terrific Teachers (7 Essays)
• World Views and Personal Convictions (7 Essays)
• Lessons Learned, Setbacks and Successes (7 Essays)
  (Essay #34)
• Preoccupations and Passions (7 Essays)
• Clever and Creative, Witty and Whimsical (7 Essays)

Part 3—Advice from the Experts

• Amherst College—Jane Reynolds, Dean of Admissions
• University of Chicago—Theodore O'Neill, Dean of Admissions
• Columbia University—Eric J. Furda, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
• Duke University—Christoph Guttentag, Director of Admissions
• Grinnell College—Vince Cuseo, Director of Admission
• New York University—Richard Avitabile, Director of Admissions
• University of Pennsylvania—Lee Stetson, Dean of Admissions
• University of Southern California—Joseph Allen, Dean of Admissions
• Stanford University—James Monoya, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
• Wesleyan University—Barbara-Jan Wilson, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
• Williams College—Tom Parker, Director of Admission
• Yale University—Richard Shaw, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid