30 Minutes to a Winning College Admissions Essay

DO NOT BUY A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ESSAY-WRITING GUIDE...

...until you've read this.

I coach high school students through the process of writing college admissions essays. These teens come to me after they've encountered some of the college admissions essay-writing guides out there. Now they're confused. Sometimes distraught. They've followed the advice of these "how-to" guides, but their essays are a mess.

Why?

My name is Jenny Sawyer. After reading just about every college admissions essay-writing guide out there, I'm shocked and, frankly, dismayed by what I've found:

THOSE "GUIDES" MAY BE GUIDING YOU TO THE REJECTION PILE.

To be honest, I've come across some bad advice. Advice that contradicts the advice you'll hear from college admissions officials themselves.

One example: Many books advise you to approach your essay like a marketing tool. One guide supplies a list of adjectives, then instructs you to choose one that describes the "key attribute" you want to sell to the admissions committee.

Problem: College admissions officials have seen that list. They want your essay to convey a glimpse of what genuinely makes you, "you.” When they see you've built your essay around one of these "key attributes," it can be a warning sign.

That's why I wrote 30 Minutes to a Winning College Admissions Essay: to show you how to sell yourself with an authentic expression of your unique "you-ness."

Another example: One prominent guide begins with a tutorial on how to tell an exciting story, citing laws of dramaturgy from Aristotle’s Poetics.

Problem: Many students become obsessed with writing an “exciting" essay. They reject ideas that would have worked but don't seem "exciting" enough. Some even hype their essays with fabricated details, thinking they have to make stuff up to stay competitive. Big mistake. Admissions officers read thousands of essays. They’ve seen all the tricks. They’re pros at spotting the real deal from something that isn’t.

That’s why I wrote this book: to show you how to “pre-write” your way to a winning essay, choosing a topic that best expresses you. And to show you how to do it in just 30 minutes.

I WON’T WASTE YOUR TIME.

30 Minutes will help you get the best results in the least amount of time. It will teach you how to use the college admissions essay to tell and sell the real story of you.

Are you a good student who's struggled with a family crisis? Your essay can tell that story. Do you have an unusual hobby that reflects something about your personal path? Your essay can showcase that journey. Perhaps you’re not even sure where to begin, or whether you have a story worth telling.

Don’t worry: I’ve got your back.

YOU HAVE A WINNING ESSAY IN YOU. GUARANTEED.

In my coaching work, I’ve encountered students who think they have nothing to say, and students who can’t choose between all the things they want to say. I’ve seen even bad essays elevated to greatness—all through the application of a few basic techniques.

Best of all: These techniques are simple, easily applicable, and don’t take a lot of time. And when you’ve got a million things to do during your busy school year, time is one thing you don’t have to waste.

A college essay alone won’t get you into your top choice college. But a great college essay can help you stand out in an increasingly competitive college admissions landscape.

You can get on the fast track to a winning college admissions essay in as little as 30 minutes. Scroll up and grab your copy now.