In an increased effort to select students who fit well, college admissions essays lately have gained significance. Admissions counselors want to see and feel the challenges you have faced, as your learning experiences give them a glimpse of your potential. So whatever your plans are this summer, take a notebook, because taking note of your summer experiences can prove priceless when writing those all-important essays.
Last summer, one of my clients spent eight weeks as a camp counselor for young girls with autism. As a recent neurology graduate of Duke University, she was applying to medical schools. During a Skype session, the client shared concerns about one of her six campers. The camper was unpredictable at meals and often required two hours of individual, calming care at bedtime. My client persisted, and I found the story of her breakthrough to gain the child’s trust riveting, which made for a remarkable admissions essay.
An equally compelling essay developed from the notes of a high school lifeguard who recounted his thoughts during endless hours of counting heads in a lake, making sure none disappeared. None ever did, but his chair musings on math, sunbathers’ behavior and bravery “at the ready” were hilariously creative, revealing powerful observation and wit.
Both clients took summer notes.
Institutions of higher learning want to know who you are. They crave visual examples with positive points that are clear, and details are never clearer than the day something happens. So if you swim across a lake for the first time, drop a tub of dishes as a busboy or even suffer a boring bus ride from Lansing to Leelanau County, Michigan, take a few moments to write down what you were thinking and feeling. The thrill, the pain, the embarrassment and the doubts – everything counts!
Record a couple of notes per night – or just tell your mom on the phone, and get her to write down the details. She’ll love doing so.
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