Is Hiring A College Application Editor Worth It?
More students are applying to college today than ever before. Thus, with more talented students competing for the same number of spots, gaining admission to a top-tier university or Ivy League program has never been more difficult.
The Most Competitive College Applicant Pool in History
The admissions statistics for the Class of 2025 are sobering. While it is exicting that more students are interested in higher education, the top universities have not expanded their class size. That means that talented, accomplished students are landing in the rejection pile. Today, perfect grades, leadership of a school club, and excellent standardized test scores are not enough to land a spot at a prestigious school.
5.3%
The average Ivy League college acceptance rate for the Class of 2025, which shrinks every year. Harvard had its lowest rate in history at 3.4% in 2021
401985
The number of Ivy League undergraduate applicants for the Class of 2025
9%
Increase in the number of applications per student. With so many applications to read, you only have a few minutes to impress admissions.
A Surge In Global Competition
In addition to a larger US applicant pool, international applicants surged in 2021, from countries such as India (+28 percent); Canada (+22 percent); Pakistan (+37 percent); the United Kingdom (+23 percent); and Brazil (+41 percent). As the competition increases, so does the pressure to create a perfect application. A grammar mistake, a cliché topic, or an awkward essay structure can be tipping point between accepting you or another accomplished student.
It's Not What You've Done, It's How You Write About It
There is a big misconception among many of my talented clients. They have a stacked resume and believe this is enough to get into a top US university. With some schools accepting only 3 out of every 100 college applicants, I guarantee that many of those applicants have similar experience. Started a company? Initiated a community program? There are other applicants who have done the same thing, in a different setting or form. So how do you separate yourself from the pack?
Your Essay Is Critical To Your Acceptance
The essay is not a resume. It is not supposed to list your accomplishments. It is your opportunity to discuss and relate your experiences and to show how you think critically about your past, present, and future. The college application essay is the make-or-break component of your application. There is no room for risk here. By hiring me as your editor, I will make sure your personal statement or supplemental essay is perfect and of exceptional quality.
Write Well
The admissions committee wants to see how well you can synthesize your experiences. Your essay must have a logical, consistent flow.
Write Creatively
Your application essay or personal statement must keep the reader engaged. This does not mean describing periphery details that do not matter to your story. You have to be creative while staying on subject.
What to Avoid in an Application Essay
Knowing what to include or leave out in a personal statement or application essay comes with experience. For example, the essay structure and tone of an MBA application is completely different than those of a technical program application. This is the benefit of hiring an experienced application editor. Here are a few common mishaps to avoid when writing an application essay for a top-tier school.
Listing Awards and Accomplishments
Not only can this come off as showy, but it is also information that is already listed in your resume. The essay is for expressing NEW information to your reader.
Incohesive Writing
Your essay needs a beginning, middle, and end. It is essentially a short story. It is important that your writing is logical and connected to a central theme.
Too flowery
Some of my applicants get confused when prompted to write "creatively." This does not mean describing the trees and surroundings, like a fiction novel. The key is finding creative connections between your experiences.
Too Technical
Some clients write very formally. In some cases, this is appropriate. However, writing that is too technical can lose the reader's attention. The essay is not a board room presentation. It is your heart, passion, and personality on paper.
Ready to Get Started?
On average, you have less than two minutes to catch your admission officer’s attention. I will make sure your application stands out from the pack. Learn about my specific services for undergraduate and graduate applications below.