50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

The powerful tools in this invaluable resource equip students with the skills to write successful entrance essays for top-notch universities. The strengths and weaknesses of 50 application compositions from Ivy League schools, as well as Caltech, Duke, MIT, Stanford, and University of Chicago, are analyzed in detail, highlighting techniques to emulate and mistakes to avoid. College admission officers from some of these schools provide informative strategies and inside information on their writing assessment criteria. A comprehensive writing workshop provides tips toward selecting topics, developing stories, editing drafts, and applying finishing touches. Acknowledging that the written portion of the process is one of the most important factors for admission into highly selective schools, this helpful guidebook offers sage advice and inspiration to keep applicants on the right track.

Gen Tanabe and Kelly Tanabe are the authors of 14 books including The Ultimate Guide to America's Best Colleges, The Ultimate Scholarship Book, and How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay. They tour the country as speakers on college planning and live in Belmont, California.

Chapter 1: 25 Essay Mistakes that Guarantee Failure
Chapter 2: Ivy League Admissions Officer Q&A
Chapter 3: Academic Passion
Chapter 4: Books/Literature
Chapter 5: Career
Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship
Chapter 7: Challenges
Chapter 8: Community Service
Chapter 9: Family
Chapter 10: Heritage and Identity
Chapter 11: Humor
Chapter 12: An Influential Person
Chapter 13: Issues
Chapter 14: Leadership
Chapter 15: Personal Growth
Chapter 16: Talent
Chapter 17: Travel
Chapter 18: Vignette
Chapter 19: Why Our College
Chapter 20: Wait List Letter
Chapter 21: Advice on Topics from Ivy League Students
Chapter 22: Advice on Writing from Ivy League Students
Chapter 23: What I Learned from Writing the Essay
About the Authors