The College Application Essay, 6th Ed

This book was all over the August U S News and World Report issue on American colleges and universities. It's a definite keeper.

I've thought very carefully about making this statement, and must submit that this book contributed significantly to my daughter's successful application process. Her grades were hardly top level, but, inspired by McGinty's clear and direct recommendations, she worked hard on her essays and is now enrolled in an Ivy League college. Unlike other purportedly helpful books in this field, this one focuses on the reflective and personal process that actually makes this rite of passage an edifying one for the student. McGinty helps her readers write an essay that will fulfill its purpose; i.e., enable a college admissions officer to learn about the applicant. Rather than dictating a series of rote "How-tos," she encourages self-exploration and -expression as a means to this end. Her unique perspective as an educator and college admissions consultant make her eminently qualified to guide a teenager through the swamp that the application essays can come to feel like. As a writing teacher myself, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Encouraging and helpful. The author has worked in admissions and has taught writing on the college and high school levels so she seems to be able to see things from all the points of view. The book emphasized working from the inside out--asking what do I want to say rather than what do THEY want to hear? And not a lot of those discouraging models by kids who can imagine the admissions process as a game of Monopoly or consider the spork history's greatest invention. It helped.

Ms McGinty's advice on crafting a noteworthy college application essay is a wonderful aid to an aspiring college student. She provides numerous examples of essays but, more importantly, clearly outlines how to approach the process so the finished product actually reflects the person who is writing it. The point is not to imitate someone else's impressive essay but rather to utilize the advice in this book to speak with your own voice while remaining aware of what colleges are looking for - that is, to think about the process in addition to making use of practical suggestions. I think this book is an invaluable guide to a challenging, even intimidating, undertaking.

Ms. McGinty's points about crafting essays that reflect your voice and personality are tremendously helpful to anyone undertaking the application process. Trying to twist an essay that worked for one person in the past isn't going to accurately reflect who you are to an admissions office. Instead, this book helps students understand the process behind making an essay your own, while still answering the questions in an application. This book is a great resource for students taking on what can be an overwhelming process.