College application essay – moving from the “maybe” pile to “yes” pile

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Everyone has a story, an experience that leads to a life changing moment. Most students feel that their life is not exciting enough or lacks “fun”. Asian students especially tend to downplay personal experiences, and often feel mired in what appears to be a life spent studying and engaging in serious-minded, prescribed extracurriculars, such as English and math tutoring or intense training in a musical instrument that gives them no particular joy. Despite all of these negative distinctions, what sometimes students don’t realize is that application essays are not the place to complainTelling yourself – or the admissions committee – that you have nothing interesting to write about will send your essay directly to the “rejection” pile. Continue reading