On Writing the College Application Essay, 25th Anniversary Edition: The Key to Acceptance at the College of Your Choice

In this fully revised and updated edition of the classic guide to writing the best essay of your life, Bauld has written an insider's guide to writing an essay that will stand out from the pack. He advises you on how to find your authentic voice, gives you tools and ideas that will spark your imagination, and shows you how to approach themes with originality and panache to make even the most tired topics fresh. He’ll tell you straight out what admissions officers aren't looking for: another platitudinous variation on one of the following themes (if you see your initial idea reflected in this list, think again):

• The trip (“I had to adjust to a whole new way of life.”)
• My favorite things (puppy dogs, freedom, and chocolate chip cookies)
• The pageant contestant (“I think World Peace is the most important issue facing us today.”)
• The jock (“Through wrestling I have learned to set goals and to work with people.”)
• The autobiography (“Hello, my name is . . . ”)
• Tales of my success (“But, finally, when I crossed the finish line . . . ”)
• Pet death (“As I watched Buttons’s life ebb away, I came to value . . . ”)

Getting into the college of your dreams is tough. The competition is fierce. For more than twenty-five years, On Writing the College Application Essay has helped thousands of students improve their chances. Now, let it work for you.