The College Essay Category
Pan Flute Simplicity
Oct. 16, 2009—It's true, Vanderbilt's applications have grown (+73% in five years). A natural reaction is to try and find someway to stand out in the crowd. But for us, at the heart of the holistic review is an understanding of you - your past accomplishments, what you care about, and drives your curiosities. In each of these things - simplicity is a supreme virtue.
Being a "reading person"
Jan. 29, 2009—Now that Early Decision 2 is almost done, we’re settling in for the bulk of our “reading season.” This is when we spend every waking moment either, a) reading applications, or b) feeling guilty for not reading applications at that moment. My job turns into a 7-day-a-week undertaking that includes many long evenings, less time...
And Then There Were Files: ED I and Front Yard Football
Nov. 18, 2008—It was a moment a couple Sundays ago. On the couch, my 2.5 year old playing quietly on the floor in front of me, the Titans game on in front of him. Nothing too remarkable about the exact moment really when I realized this would be last weekend without file reading. The clicking of Matchbox...
The College Admissions Essay Part II: Beyond gimmicks and hooks
Sep. 12, 2008—We talked yesterday about the importance of voice in your college application essay. Today let’s discuss the second insight your college application gives our admission officers, specifically, how you put your thoughts together to convey a point. In college a buddy of mine introduced me to a friend of his at a party like this, “Hey...
The College Application Essay Part I: Answers from the wizard in aisle 9c
Sep. 11, 2008—My two year old son likes to ask me to tell him stories right before bedtime. I weakly protest but ultimately acquiesce in the effort to get him off to dreamland. Quite candidly though, I suck at it. He is a tough, but forgiving audience, mostly finding a matchbox car more entertaining after about two...