Clear, concise, practical advice that works.
A graduate of Harvard University, author John Dewis has helped hundreds of students get into the colleges of their choice. His proven strategies for the college essay are now available to everyone for a small fraction of the cost of his one-on-one tutoring.
In John’s quick-moving, easy-to-read guide, you’ll learn:
The essay is now the most important part of your application. It’s the only thing left that’s still under your control, and the scary truth is most college essays are no good. That’s great news for you, because a great essay can really improve your chances of getting in.
Parents can help, instead of getting in the way. Parents mean well, but often their advice causes more stress than help. With this guide, they’ll understand how to help and also when it’s time to step out of the way.
Most college essays fail. Why? Because most applicants aim for what they think the admissions committee wants to hear. Result: most essays sound the same. To stand out, you need to write an essay that no other applicant could have written. John explains how.
Don’t try to impress admissions with how awesome you are. It simply won’t work—in fact it will backfire. Your essay will sound like everyone else’s. Here’s one hint that may surprise you: your trophies are boring. John explains what will impress them, and how to write it.
You can write it quickly and easily. Don’t let them scare you: just because it’s important doesn’t mean it has to be difficult, stressful, or time-consuming. You’re simply writing about yourself. Once you know how, it’s as easy as thinking or talking about yourself. It can even be fun. But be careful: much of what you learned in English class does not apply to the college essay.
Specific methods to reveal the real you. “Be yourself” is the least helpful advice out there. But that’s actually what college admissions want you to do. John shows you how. It’s simple once you understand the basics: tell a meaningful story from your life, using facts told from your own perspective, and share your honest thinking about what happened. There’s a reason why it’s also called a “personal statement” or “personal essay.”
Only you can write it. Having someone else write your essay is not only dishonest, it won’t work. That’s because your goal is simply to write the essay that no one else could write. Do that, and you’ll stand out from the pack.
Practical advice that works. Most writing advice tells you what not to do. That’s not much help. John’s guide tells you what you should do. It starts with having a conversation about things that are important to you. You can do this with a friend, your parents, or even by yourself. Next, simply write down what you say. The rest of John’s strategies will lead you to a final draft you’re proud of—the essay that gets you in.
The Secret Guide: Write the College Essay that Gets You In is a concise, practical guide that is easy to read and easy to put into action.
Part One lays out the basic rules for writing the college essay. These chapters are concise and straightforward. You can read them in one sitting and immediately apply the advice.
Part Two puts the rules into practice. These chapters quote real essays by John’s students and illustrate different strategies for writing and editing your essay.
You can also use the guide to improve an essay you’ve already written.
Whether you’re a high school junior preparing for next year’s applications, a high school senior racing to meet the deadline, or a current university student applying to transfer, John Dewis’s Secret Guide is the one tool you need.
The advice applies whether you’re using the Common Application, the Universal Application, or colleges’ own applications.
The college application process is stressful enough. Approach the last step, the essay, with confidence.
A graduate of Harvard University, author John Dewis has helped hundreds of students get into the colleges of their choice. His proven strategies for the college essay are now available to everyone for a small fraction of the cost of his one-on-one tutoring.
In John’s quick-moving, easy-to-read guide, you’ll learn:
The essay is now the most important part of your application. It’s the only thing left that’s still under your control, and the scary truth is most college essays are no good. That’s great news for you, because a great essay can really improve your chances of getting in.
Parents can help, instead of getting in the way. Parents mean well, but often their advice causes more stress than help. With this guide, they’ll understand how to help and also when it’s time to step out of the way.
Most college essays fail. Why? Because most applicants aim for what they think the admissions committee wants to hear. Result: most essays sound the same. To stand out, you need to write an essay that no other applicant could have written. John explains how.
Don’t try to impress admissions with how awesome you are. It simply won’t work—in fact it will backfire. Your essay will sound like everyone else’s. Here’s one hint that may surprise you: your trophies are boring. John explains what will impress them, and how to write it.
You can write it quickly and easily. Don’t let them scare you: just because it’s important doesn’t mean it has to be difficult, stressful, or time-consuming. You’re simply writing about yourself. Once you know how, it’s as easy as thinking or talking about yourself. It can even be fun. But be careful: much of what you learned in English class does not apply to the college essay.
Specific methods to reveal the real you. “Be yourself” is the least helpful advice out there. But that’s actually what college admissions want you to do. John shows you how. It’s simple once you understand the basics: tell a meaningful story from your life, using facts told from your own perspective, and share your honest thinking about what happened. There’s a reason why it’s also called a “personal statement” or “personal essay.”
Only you can write it. Having someone else write your essay is not only dishonest, it won’t work. That’s because your goal is simply to write the essay that no one else could write. Do that, and you’ll stand out from the pack.
Practical advice that works. Most writing advice tells you what not to do. That’s not much help. John’s guide tells you what you should do. It starts with having a conversation about things that are important to you. You can do this with a friend, your parents, or even by yourself. Next, simply write down what you say. The rest of John’s strategies will lead you to a final draft you’re proud of—the essay that gets you in.
The Secret Guide: Write the College Essay that Gets You In is a concise, practical guide that is easy to read and easy to put into action.
Part One lays out the basic rules for writing the college essay. These chapters are concise and straightforward. You can read them in one sitting and immediately apply the advice.
Part Two puts the rules into practice. These chapters quote real essays by John’s students and illustrate different strategies for writing and editing your essay.
You can also use the guide to improve an essay you’ve already written.
Whether you’re a high school junior preparing for next year’s applications, a high school senior racing to meet the deadline, or a current university student applying to transfer, John Dewis’s Secret Guide is the one tool you need.
The advice applies whether you’re using the Common Application, the Universal Application, or colleges’ own applications.
The college application process is stressful enough. Approach the last step, the essay, with confidence.
