You are what you do, at least according to what admissions officers see first. The beginning of the student's application begins with their Activities List. This is where admissions officers start to get a picture of what is important to your student as they reflect their interests and what's vital to them. How do they choose to spend their time when they're not in class? How can their Activities List convey the kind of student and community member they'll be when they arrive on campus? The Activities list might seem like plain ol' information, but it's really the beginning of a story . . .
The key word in "Personal Essay" is person. ("Essay" is a bit misleading since you're really telling a story here, but more on that later). So how can you deliver a whole person in 650 words or fewer? You can't, and it's a relief that your child doesn't have to cram their whole entire self into this piece. Our job is to find a story about them that feels significant. The best Personal Essay will make readers feel that they know and appreciate the writer. Through this process, your student will gain a genuine insight as they put into words an experience that has deeply impacted them.
Most colleges ask students to write Supplemental Essays that will give the admissions committee a clearer picture of how the student might fit in at their specific school. This is an opportunity to share more sides of the student, while also demonstrating the depth of their interest in the college. This is where we'll want to make sure your student is answering the questions in ways that show they're invested. These short essays will be the final push that will have admissions officers wanting the next chapter of your student's story to take place on their campus.