The college application process can be challenging, as it is one’s sole attempt.
The essay is a crucial component of the admissions process, allowing students to introduce themselves to schools beyond academic qualifications. This personal narrative helps admissions officers understand who the applicant is as a person, showcasing their individuality and perspectives. Senior, Vivian Ricci wrote her admissions essay in light of her experience in being diagnosed with ADHD and the lessons it taught her about speaking up unapologetically.
“[My essay differentiates from others because] not a lot of women at my age get diagnosed this late in the game. It teaches to stand up and use your voice; power though even if it’s hard and no nobody listens. I had to continuously bring it up with doctors, they kept thinking it was just anxiety. Some would just ignore it so I just kept waiting until a doctor finally listened,” Ricci said.
She plans to attend a four year university to major in nursing in order to help others who have struggled with medical gaslighting. Others approach their narrative in a more figurative manner; comparing a personal story to a broad lesson. Senior James Colombo took this perspective and said he wrote about learning from your mistakes.
“My essay was about the time me and my family climbed a volcano in Hawaii and I wore flips. I highlighted the downsides of my experience and how I can better myself. I learned that even if I make mistakes and don’t have an exact schedule everything will still workout,” Colombo said. He plans to attend Mizzou or University of Washington Seattle and also plans to major in nursing.
Some write their essay not about a singular experience at all, rather a personal struggle they’ve dealt with throughout their life. Senior Mackenzie McClanahan began her essay with a math problem, and said she exhibited her interest in school in comparison to her relationships in life. “I wrote about how I search for a problem to solve in everything I do. That’s why I like math or chemistry because there’s always a problem to solve and more to learn about the problem. The essay helped me learn a lot about my relationships and the way I often question whether I did something wrong. In reality it’s just my need to better or fix everything,” McClanahan said. She currently plans to go to University of Kentucky to begin her education in Chemistry on the pre-pharmacy track; but she is still deciding between UK, University of Mississippi, and Auburn university.