How to Draft the Perfect Essay for Ivy League Colleges？-新东方前途出国

Contrary to International student’s belief, American University does not actually prefer students who choose to solely talk about their academic accomplishments in their personalstatement. 

Students’ academic excellence can be reflected through their resumeand transcript.College admissions officers want to get to know who the applicantis, what are the thoughts of the applicant and how this applicant is set apart from the others.  

Application essays, including personal statement, supplemental essays and letters of appeal serve together with students’ resume, teacher’s recommendation letter and transcript as a full application package for the admission officers to evaluate whether the student is a good “fit” for colleges. 

That being said, admissions officers would want to hear students voice in their personal essay, learn about their personalities and unique traits. It is okay to talk about one’s accomplishment, as long as one goes in depth and digsdeeper than surface into the impact this experience has had on oneself.

Applicants are only in high school after all, and AOs know that. One common trait of students who have gotten accepted into top universities all possess is “likability”, they are all likable and personable. Likable traits include “responsible”,“humor”, “independent”, “mature”, “respectful”, “humble”, “leadership” and“honesty”. 

After the admissions department finishes reading the application, the representative should think, “This kid is a leader, ago-getter, and we have to get this student on campus.”  Says Rod Bugarin, a former admissions officerat Columbia University and Brown University and currently a regionaldirector of RecruitZone. 

 

Bugarin says that Ivy League admissions staff look at SAT and GPA scores in the context of a student’s school andbackground. “We’d expect scores to be higher from a student from awell-funded school with ample resources. Social factors wereacknowledged,” he said. 

These schools want to see “leadership, having theability to influence and impact others positively through academics andactivities, possessing these traits that you don’t see in others. "So inorder for students to get accepted into prestigious colleges, students should keep the following tips in mind when drafting their personal statements."

■ Try to include the following:

1 .Provide youressay with an interesting and attention grabbing hook, makes readers want toget to know you and keep reading.  

2. Select one ortwo traits that best represent you that you think it is worth writing about.

3. Be creative,authentic and personal. Incorporate your family background, unique identity,and own beliefs into your story so the AOs know who you are.

4. Show winningtraits such as maturity, humor and in depth thinking ability, for colleges donot want to admit students they need to babysit.

■ Try to stay away from writing:

In terms of supplemental essays, it is important for the student to know his or her reason behind selecting a specific major and what he or she plans to do with the degree. 

All Ivy League colleges ask students to fill out a basic application plus a supplemental addition. Bugarin says “They’re looking to read between the lines and get to your ethos. It is also important for students to carefully research about the schooland programs, for every Ivy League college has its uniqueness. ”

Burgarin advises that students research what is expected of them in certain majors and then consider those differences when writing the application. Students need to makea “match” with the specific college, he suggested.

Appeal Letter generally known as “Love Letter”. In actualterm, it’s called “Letter of Continued Interest” – LOCI. It is submitted to show continued interest when students get deferred and waitlisted by a school.

*2022 Ivy League Admission Statistics serve as references for class of 2023 applicants.

Since there are increasingly more students applying to Ivy League Colleges each year, it is inevitable that students will get put on waitlist not just during the ED roundbut also during the RD round as well. Appeal letter can be used for students who got “waitlisted” and “deferred”. 

Although the chances of getting off the waitlist is slight, for Ivy League Colleges admit close to half of theirclass from the early decision pool, however it is still worth a try, becauseone is not denied.

Every college has its different waitlist requirements, some ask students to simply submit aform, some ask for updated scores, activities or awards in a letter form and some schools ask students to answer specific questions. Please make sure to write your letter as soon as possible, be concise, reasonable and specific. Do not express frustrations, beg for acceptance or send one letter to all schools.

Here are steps for writing an appeal letter:

1. Check/Specify who you are writing the letter to.

-Briefly thank the school forconsidering your application.

2. Briefly mention the situation you’recurrently in.

-What are your reasons for writing this letter?

-If you are verysure that once accepted you would attend the university, backup with yourcommitment!

3. Explain why the university is a greatmatch for you.

-Relate/Connect the classes, programs,professors, and etc. to your interests and goals.

4. Update the AO with new accomplishments.(scores/activities/awards/researches/ Work/etc.)

-Demonstratethat you are an even better candidate today than you were when you firstapplied to their university.

5.-Double check your letter formistakes/typos

-Include yourpersonal contact details as you sign off.

Make sure that you stay busy so you have updated activities and improved scores to inform thecolleges.

I hope this is helpful, and I wish the best of luck for everyone who is applying this fall, cheers！