College Application Essays - Avoid the Stress

a) Deja Vu: These accomplishments are on the student’s transcripts. The admissions officer already knows your teen achieved high marks in twelve AP classes.

b) Birds of a feather flock together: Remember your son’s best friend when they were in the 6th grade? They drifted apart in high school once your son started getting straight A’s and his friend ended up on America’s Most Wanted. They aren’t applying to the same schools. On the other hand, everyone who is has similar or identical academic accomplishments as your son.

 Similar Classes / Similar Grades / Similar Test Scores / Similar Extra Curricular Activities: President of Physics Club, Class President, Swim Team Captain, 1st Violin in School Orchestra, Yearbook Editor, Mathletes Captain, 1000 hours of community service.

c) Blind date: Seldom does a blind date work out. My parents met on a blind date. After years of therapy, I’m still angry at the person who set them up! Academic accomplishments don’t tell the school anything about your teen as a PERSON….as an INDIVIDUAL.

I will be presenting a FREE workshop on the Top Five Mistakes Students Make on their College

Application Essays at each of the following libraries, PTAs and organizations. (Pre-registration is strongly advised. Please call the library or other organization if you wish to attend)

I am also available to speak at YOUR organization. Did I mention it’s FREE?

Monmouth Cty Library HQ  Manalapan   April 3

Governor Livingston HS PTO   April  8  

 Springfield Library  April 9

 Bernards Township Library April 16 

Kinnelon Public Library  April 17 

Bernardsville Public Library April 24 

Old Tappan Public Library  May 8

Randy Levin is the ONLY college application essay adviser asked to speak at the National College Fair- Nassau Coliseum. The Guidance Dept and English Dept of Half Hollow Hills HS brought Randy into the classroom to speak directly to students. He has a MA in English and a MFA in Creative Writing. He is a published writer and former high school English teacher. For FREE information, go to his website: WriteToCollege.com