The Smarter Guide to College Essay Writing.
Written by:
- David Kim, Founder & CEO, C2 Education
- Jim Narangajavana, Founder & Vice President, C2 Education
- Tim Atkins, Southeast Regional Trainer, C2 Education
- Bill Macklin, C2 Education
Q&A with the authors:
What is the purpose of the book?
It is a college essay writing guide that tells the story of one student’s struggle, Michelle, who needs to write her college essay for Princeton. As we read the story, the reader goes through the exercises that our sample student goes through in developing her college essay. We also give the reader opportunities to comment and revise our student’s essay as she goes through the process herself. At the end of the guide there are additional essays written by C2 students who got into top universities as well as additional blank worksheets that are found in the guide for the reader to use in getting his/her own college essay prepared.
Why did you decide to write it?
C2 has had so much success in helping our students write their college essay, we thought it would be a great idea to be able to share what we know with all students out there. The college essay is such an important part of applying to the top colleges out there, especially the Ivy League Schools. It’s really the only opportunity for a student to become more than the numbers and grades and come alive as an actual person to the admissions reader. If a student can make an emotional connection with the admissions officer vis-à-vis the college essay, the admissions officer is going to support that student’s candidacy all the more. 500 words can make a huge difference in the admissions game.
What was your approach?
We really wanted to make the guide entertaining and interactive. So many guides are so technical and don’t speak the student’s language. We wanted something that was accessible and actually useful to the college essay writing process.
Who should read this book?
It’s geared to students. We think it’s actually fun to read and empathizes with those going through this process of writing a college essay. The essay is one of the most stressful parts of the college application process, and if you can lessen that burden even a little, it helps the student find their own unique voice.
What would be the one piece of advice you would give to those seeking to write a great college essay?
Revise, revise, and revise. Writing is revision more than anything else.
