The Secret to Writing Amazing College Essays: The Spike
As we all know, when it comes to college applications, essays play a crucial role in helping admissions officers understand who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
A study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that essays are the third most important factor in college admissions decisions, after grades and test scores (NACAC, 2019). However, crafting a compelling essay is not about being well-rounded or having a laundry list of extracurricular activities. In today's highly competitive admissions landscape, it's all about having a "spike" - an exceptional achievement or expertise in a specific area that sets you apart from the crowd.
The Power of a Spike
So, what exactly is a spike, and why is it so important? A spike is a unique passion or talent that you have developed to an exceptional level. It's something that makes you stand out from the thousands of other applicants and demonstrates your potential to make a significant impact in your chosen field. In fact, according to Allen Cheng, a Harvard alum and college admissions expert, "at least 3 of 4 Harvard admits have an Olympic level achievement on their application" (Cheng, 2018).
Connecting Your Spike to Your Essays
Now that you understand the importance of having a spike, you might be wondering how to showcase it in your college essays. The key is to use your essays as an opportunity to provide deeper insight into your spike and demonstrate how it has shaped your identity, values, and goals.
Your spike should be the thread that ties your entire application together, from your extracurricular activities to your personal statement. By highlighting your spike in your essays, you give admissions officers a clear and compelling picture of who you are and what makes you unique. In fact, a survey by the Independent Educational Consultants Association found that 62% of admissions officers considered essays "very important" in the admissions process (IECA, 2018).
Types of College Essays and How to Showcase Your Spike
Extracurricular Essays
Extracurricular essays are your chance to highlight your involvement and achievements in activities outside the classroom. But instead of listing every club and volunteer experience, focus on the one or two activities that align with your spike. Show how you have taken a leadership role, made a significant impact, or achieved something exceptional in your chosen area of interest.
For example, if your spike is in entrepreneurship, you could write about how you started a successful business that generated $50,000 in revenue and employed 10 people. According to a study by the National Federation of Independent Business, only 33% of small businesses survive for 10 years or more (NFIB, 2019), so this kind of concrete, quantifiable achievement is much more impressive than simply being a member of the entrepreneurship club.
Personal Essays
Personal essays are an opportunity to share your unique story and perspective with admissions officers. But instead of writing about a generic topic like "a time you faced a challenge," use your personal essay to show how your spike has shaped your identity and values.
For instance, if your spike is in social activism, you could write about how growing up in a disadvantaged community inspired you to start a nonprofit that has provided after-school programs for 500 low-income students. Considering that only 6% of low-income students graduate from college by age 24 (The Education Trust, 2018), this kind of personal story demonstrates your passion, dedication, and ability to make a real-world impact.
Academic Essays
Academic essays are a chance to showcase your intellectual curiosity and academic achievements related to your spike. Instead of writing about your favorite subject or a generic research paper, focus on a specific project or experience that demonstrates your expertise and innovation in your chosen field.
For example, if your spike is in computer science, you could write about how you developed a new algorithm that improved the efficiency of a complex data processing system by 50%. Given that the global big data market is expected to reach $103 billion by 2027 (Valuates Reports, 2020), this kind of technical achievement shows that you have the skills and knowledge to make groundbreaking contributions to your field.
"Why This College" Essays
"Why This College" essays are your opportunity to show how your spike aligns with the unique offerings and culture of a particular school. But instead of simply listing the school's top programs or regurgitating information from the website, do your research and find specific examples of how the school can help you further develop your spike.
For instance, if your spike is in creative writing, you could write about how the college’s renowned literary magazine (which has won X national awards in the past X years) and annual writer's conference (which attracts over X attendees each year) would provide you with invaluable opportunities to hone your craft and connect with established authors. This kind of specific, well-researched essay demonstrates your genuine interest and fit with the school.
So as you start to write your college essays, don't be afraid to be bold, creative, and unapologetically yourself. Highlight what makes you different and use your essays as an opportunity to show colleges why you will be a valuable asset to their student body.
With a strong spike and compelling essays, you'll be well on your way to earning that coveted acceptance letter.
Good Luck!
Joshua
Founder
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