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What Should I Write About? Making a Difference

making a difference

In my non-admissions life, I once went to a lecture given by a biographer whose work I admire. In the course of his talk he mentioned that while writing about genius has merit, writing about typical folks and their extraordinary achievements is more valuable. The compelling story — the inspiration, and attention grabber — resides …

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Stand Out! A Critical Goal for Your Application [Episode 181]

Linda Abraham Standing Out Application

I covered the importance of showing fit in Episode 162 “Focus on Fit,” the second most popular show of 2016 and the most popular show of the second half of 2016. But there is a second focus you need if you want to apply successfully to highly competitive programs. You need a corollary to fit. …

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Where’s the Poetry? The Secret Ingredient in Your Graduate Application Essays

poetry in writing

Strategy will necessarily guide your selection of essay topics, anecdotes/examples, and structure. Yet an essay built on calculation alone, even if the strategy is spot on, will often disappoint. Logically it all makes sense. But it doesn’t take flight. Poetry can be the secret ingredient to make your application essay sing – right into the heart of its readers. …

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Ten Do’s and Don’ts for Your Application Essay

bigstock Dos Donts Green Red Button Sty 88197884

The Application Essay Do’s: Unite your essay and give it direction with a theme or thesis. The thesis is the main point you want to communicate. Before you begin writing, choose what you want to discuss and the order in which you want to discuss it. Use concrete examples from your life experience to support …

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