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College Essay Essentials: Write Essays That Stand Out and Get You In
The #1 resource for writing an amazing college essay to help get into your dream school! Unlock the key to college admission success with College Essay Essentials , a comprehensive and invaluable resource designed to empower students in their essay-writing journey. Packed with expert guidance and practical tips, this must-have book is tailored specifically for high school seniors, transfer students, and aspiring college applicants. In College Essay Essentials , Ethan Sawyer, a renowned college essay advisor and expert, shares his proven strategies and insider knowledge to help you navigate the daunting task of crafting compelling essays that stand out from the competition. With an unwavering focus on authenticity, creativity, and effective storytelling, Sawyer empowers you to create impactful narratives that captivate admissions officers. Writing a college admission essay doesn't have to be stressful. Sawyer (aka The College Essay Guy) will show you that there are only four (really, four!) types of college admission essays. And all you have to do to figure out which type is best for you is answer two simple 1. Have you experienced significant challenges in your life? 2. Do you know what you want to be or do in the future? With these questions providing the building blocks for your essay, Sawyer guides you through the rest of the process, from choosing a structure to revising your essay, and answers the big questions that have probably been keeping you up at How do I brag in a way that doesn't sound like bragging? and How do I make my essay, like, deep? College Essay Essentials will help you Don't let the essay-writing process intimidate you. Grab your copy of College Essay Essentials today and embark on a transformative journey toward college admission success!
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2016
18 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 15, 2024
This book is a step-by-step guide to how to write a successful college admission essay. I enjoyed the examples and really guides the student on how to write.
March 18, 2020
There's a lot of interesting stuff in this book. Some of it is a bit hokey, but I think that it can help you get to a better college essay. Most of the advice in this book is written to appeal to teens, which always comes across as a bit condescending to me. Finally, I wasn't super impressed with the example essays in this book. The writing was super juvenile and over used big words, gerunds, and adverbs. I know that essays written by teens are meant to sound like teens, but I'm a teen, and I don't write like that. Still, I think that it helped to get the creative juices flowing for what will surely by a long process.
December 24, 2016
Jessica Collazo bought this book for me. Ethan Sawyer, the author, went to high school with my children. He is gifted in so many ways. I am very excited to read this book and use the advice with my seniors in August.
August 15, 2023
Ethan Sawyer does a great job of providing a great framework to start the writing process.
I do think his brainstorming exercises do provide a great deal of value - and is something I'm currently adapting when I'm helping students who are starting out on their personal statements.
That being said, I do think that it's well-written and has a lot of practical advice, but I do think it does tend to be formulaic in its approach.
A great supplemental, but I wouldn't classify as 'essential'
3.72 / 5
I do think his brainstorming exercises do provide a great deal of value - and is something I'm currently adapting when I'm helping students who are starting out on their personal statements.
That being said, I do think that it's well-written and has a lot of practical advice, but I do think it does tend to be formulaic in its approach.
A great supplemental, but I wouldn't classify as 'essential'
3.72 / 5
October 6, 2024
Very useful. Good process from start to finish and plenty of examples. If you’re like me, you won’t agree that all the examples are good, and that will be true for admissions officers as well. Evaluating essays is a notoriously subjective process and there is a lot of variability between schools and between admissions officers in the same school. Oh, and they only spend a few minutes on it as they’re reading thousand of these.
The best you can do is to share something that tells the admissions team more about you. Ideally stories that show your values, traits, and/or personality and make you a real person who is likable, interesting, curious, and/or thoughtful.
As a complement to this book, I highly recommend listening to podcast from the admissions office of colleges you are applying to if they have one. The podcast from Yale admissions is especially good.
The best you can do is to share something that tells the admissions team more about you. Ideally stories that show your values, traits, and/or personality and make you a real person who is likable, interesting, curious, and/or thoughtful.
As a complement to this book, I highly recommend listening to podcast from the admissions office of colleges you are applying to if they have one. The podcast from Yale admissions is especially good.
January 6, 2026
Educational
Exploration of oneself and the makeup of one's life, Providential
using for writing, not for college entry
Exploration of oneself and the makeup of one's life, Providential
using for writing, not for college entry
March 27, 2023
"College Essay Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Successful College Admissions Essay" by Ethan Sawyer is a highly recommended book for high school students who are about to write their college application essays and I am as a book lover in combination professional book report writer working for https://specialessays.com/buy-book-re... recommend this book to all students.
The book provides clear and concise guidance on how to approach the essay writing process, from choosing a topic to editing the final draft. Sawyer offers helpful tips on how to brainstorm ideas, create an outline, and craft a compelling personal narrative that will grab the attention of admissions officers.
One of the strengths of this book is its emphasis on storytelling. Sawyer encourages students to focus on telling their unique story, rather than simply listing their achievements or activities. He also provides examples of successful essays that demonstrate how effective storytelling can make a strong impact.
Another helpful aspect of the book is its practical advice on grammar and syntax, as well as its tips on how to avoid common mistakes that can weaken an essay. Sawyer also provides guidance on how to deal with writer's block and how to revise and edit effectively.
Overall, "College Essay Essentials" is a well-written and highly useful guide for anyone who wants to write a successful college admissions essay. Its straightforward approach and practical advice make it an indispensable resource for high school students who are looking to stand out in a competitive college application process.
The book provides clear and concise guidance on how to approach the essay writing process, from choosing a topic to editing the final draft. Sawyer offers helpful tips on how to brainstorm ideas, create an outline, and craft a compelling personal narrative that will grab the attention of admissions officers.
One of the strengths of this book is its emphasis on storytelling. Sawyer encourages students to focus on telling their unique story, rather than simply listing their achievements or activities. He also provides examples of successful essays that demonstrate how effective storytelling can make a strong impact.
Another helpful aspect of the book is its practical advice on grammar and syntax, as well as its tips on how to avoid common mistakes that can weaken an essay. Sawyer also provides guidance on how to deal with writer's block and how to revise and edit effectively.
Overall, "College Essay Essentials" is a well-written and highly useful guide for anyone who wants to write a successful college admissions essay. Its straightforward approach and practical advice make it an indispensable resource for high school students who are looking to stand out in a competitive college application process.
September 11, 2023
A friend gave this book to me since she no longer needs it. Because her daughter has already been accepted to her dream school, and she does not need to worry it about it anymore.
I picked it up and read it through the morning hours before my work, with a cup of hot coffee in my hand.
I was from a different country, so I never wrote my own essay for my college application when I applied for college. But I helped my son wrote one several years ago. After I read it, I think “oh my god, I kind of did everything wrong when I helped my son.” Luckily he still was accepted to a very good college. This book opened my eyes that how others write their essay, and also let me be surprised to see essay is written more like a story telling way like a movie script.
I liked it, enjoyed it, and like to recommend it to parents have high school students. It also helped me to think how I can find my topics if I want to speeches for my ToastMasters club meetings.
I picked it up and read it through the morning hours before my work, with a cup of hot coffee in my hand.
I was from a different country, so I never wrote my own essay for my college application when I applied for college. But I helped my son wrote one several years ago. After I read it, I think “oh my god, I kind of did everything wrong when I helped my son.” Luckily he still was accepted to a very good college. This book opened my eyes that how others write their essay, and also let me be surprised to see essay is written more like a story telling way like a movie script.
I liked it, enjoyed it, and like to recommend it to parents have high school students. It also helped me to think how I can find my topics if I want to speeches for my ToastMasters club meetings.
June 10, 2018
I read this to see if I could use it as an alternative to Harry Bauld's On Writing the College Application Essay: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... when working with my students on their personal statements. I like Bauld's book a lot, but it has a lot of outdated pop culture references that make me cringe. I think Sawyer's book might be better for weaker writers, but I'm worried it could lead some students to write formulaically. I'll use it as a supplement to the lessons I've already adapted from Bauld, but not as a replacement.
Want to read
December 15, 2021I’m half way through this college tutorial. It’s hard work but I’m going to finish and I feel this is the class I never took and an now finishing.
Besides having essays by established authors and writers, many Pulitzer Prize winners, the steps Essay Essentials takes to make sure a principle is learnt is phenomenal.
Im already unconsciously using these principles in every aspect of my writing. I’ve written three plays, three novels, many short stories and I find this tutorial is ground breaking for anyone who craves to write better.
Hope all are well. Talk to everyone soon.
Besides having essays by established authors and writers, many Pulitzer Prize winners, the steps Essay Essentials takes to make sure a principle is learnt is phenomenal.
Im already unconsciously using these principles in every aspect of my writing. I’ve written three plays, three novels, many short stories and I find this tutorial is ground breaking for anyone who craves to write better.
Hope all are well. Talk to everyone soon.
August 3, 2017
This college essay guide left me quite a bit more worried than I wanted to be. The step-by-step process is detailed extensively. The sample essays (24 Real Essays that Ivies & Elite College Loved)are so good, I felt more than a bit overwhelmed. There are definitely some important sections I will use when helping my daughter write her essay. There are lists to aid in the writing process such as the "Feelings", "Needs", "What Did I Learn", and "The Great College Essay Test".
September 7, 2020
I was actually hopeless as to what I was going to write about when I started this book. I did not think that it was going to help me much, but decided to give it a go since some reading never did bad. Well, I am glad I thought so cause even when I was halfway done with the book I discovered things about myself that I did not know existed, or totally forgot about. The only struggle now is that I have so many different idea paths that I can take to use on my personal statement!
December 24, 2021
It is a good book, but you will not remember almost anything if you don't practice. I think if you want to write the best essays you should practice, practice and practice. And the best way is to choose some creative topics, I always look for some articles that give such topics with a guide on how to write them. For example, last time wrote an essay about the topic provided it here https://studybay.com/blog/my-most-emb... , it was an interesting experience.
Read
December 30, 2021Even if it was quite hard to finish it due to a lot of new information, I think it is a book which every student should read. I was always bad at writing, but it came with so many examples and tips,and I have found out so many new things that I wish I had learned in school. However, I am still bad at grammar, so I always send my essays to an editing service to proofread my college essay as I like when everything is perfect.
January 7, 2018
If you or your child need help with structure, time management, mechanics, and ideas then I highly recommend this book. I took off a star because I didn't feel like many of the essays Sawyer presented were "all that." This book in conjunction with Toor's "Write Your Way In" would offer a guaranteed one-two punch.
February 23, 2021
Among my peers, Sawyer is considered the expert in the field of essay writing. His no-nonsense approach and straight-forward style make this book easy to digest. My favorite section is the brainstorming exercises. And the essay structure explanations are pure gold. Don't get stressed. Start early. And take your time. Enjoy the process!
October 9, 2019
College Essay Essentials is an easy to read and well written overview of how to approach writing a college essay. It also includes several real essays as examples.
Read
December 27, 2019A must have for anyone who has to take an English class. Great source of information.
April 9, 2022
A great place to beginning learning about writing college essays.
June 20, 2022
Good resource for young adults writing personal statements for college applications. There are some great brainstorming strategies in this that I will use in my senior class.
September 24, 2022
Thanks for sharing this "College Essay Essentials" with us. I am still working to improve my writing and your book will help me in this regard.
Regards: https://www.thenewsinsides.com
Regards: https://www.thenewsinsides.com
October 25, 2022
I checked this out on a whim from the library. Helpful while my son completes his college applications particularly with guidance for the essays/ short answers.
June 23, 2023
The overall content is great. However, it’s very repetitive. Perhaps for a high schooler, this is effective. As a parent, I found it annoying.
July 5, 2023
Am I in a better place than where I was when I started this book? Not really, no. Is this a book added to my Goodreads goal? Yes, it sure is!
August 2, 2023
Helpful! I felt like it provided a good framework for viewing college essay writing and helped me to know where to start with mine. It also included some great brainstorming exercises.
August 26, 2024
Let's see how this ends
August 10, 2025
Helpful brainstorming resources, and notated examples are illustrative. But structured and written in a chaotic way that’s overwhelming.
January 12, 2026
Excellent essay tips and a whole process for getting started. Tons of resources online as well. Definitely recommend.
July 14, 2021
Fairy quick and helpful read.
On the one hand, I like the structure Ethan provides here. It is really helpful for taking a student that has no idea what to say and get them to spit out a draft within a few hours. And some of the tips he gives are quite good.
On the other hand, I didn't think some of the sample essays he gave were really that good. The narrative essays were far better than the montage ones. In some cases, I thought the essays didn't actually say that much about the student.
I think this is helpful to get a student brainstorm and figure out a larger framework they want. However the product will still need significant polishing (with things not covered by this book) before being ready to send out.
On the one hand, I like the structure Ethan provides here. It is really helpful for taking a student that has no idea what to say and get them to spit out a draft within a few hours. And some of the tips he gives are quite good.
On the other hand, I didn't think some of the sample essays he gave were really that good. The narrative essays were far better than the montage ones. In some cases, I thought the essays didn't actually say that much about the student.
I think this is helpful to get a student brainstorm and figure out a larger framework they want. However the product will still need significant polishing (with things not covered by this book) before being ready to send out.
March 7, 2022
it has a few key ideas that are relevant but most of the information is well known.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews