Sarah O'Neill Blog Pennsylvania

  USC Excerpt by Sarah O'Neill, Coatesville, Supreme Editing According to USC admissions ( via their website ): “We are also looking for your potential to make an impact: willingness to go beyond the requirements, to dig deeply into texts, to explore ideas and become a lifelong learner. Ultimately, we look for students who will become enthusiastic partners in learning and research.” USC looks for students with a variety of perspectives and passions, who will enrich each other’s education by challenging each other, inside the classroom and out. Your essay and short-answer responses should reflect your unique personality and your voice. Your narrative should reveal your values and paint a picture of you and how you will contribute to the dynamic USC community. Share your strengths, passions, and experiences in your own distinct way. Simply put, your application should reflect the unique and interesting person that you are. “There is no “best” or “right” answer. We simply want to know...

  Tufts Excerpt by Sarah O'Neill, Coatesville, Supreme Editing According to Tufts admissions ( via their website ): “Think outside of the box as you answer the following questions.  Take a risk and go somewhere unexpected.  Be serious if the moment calls for it, but feel comfortable being playful if that suits you.”   READ: A Short Guide to the Tufts Supplemental Questions 5 Essay Writing Tips Personal essay: What we love about these pieces is that they capture the distinct voices of the applicants. Some were conversational, some sarcastic, some compellingly serious—but they all forged a powerful human connection with us: the readers. They helped to set these students apart in our applicant pool because we could picture them as human beings and community members. They made us pause to laugh, think, or shout to the nearest fellow reader, "This student is incredible." We hope that these essays will inspire you to find your unique voice as you craft your stories in ...

  Penn State University Excerpt by Sarah O'Neill, Coatesville, Supreme Editing According to PSU admissions ( via the website ):   We are looking for students that want to share in the passions and talents of this impactful Penn State community.  They aim to shape your academic and career pursuits, broaden your perspective, establish  life-long connections, and set the stage for experiences.   We seek and create new knowledge and understanding , and foster creativity and innovation, to benefit our communities, society, and the environment.  The types of students admitted consisted o f students that demonstrated the traits that will set you up for college success.  Successful students were specific and didn’t pick topics that were too broad.  They avoided using experiences that virtually all applicants will share.  Great responses were quite personal and avoided generalizing or vague statements.   It can be connected to things ...

  University of Chicago Excerpt by Sarah O'Neill, Coatesville, Supreme Editing The University of Chicago admissions committee wants “...y ou, through your application, [to] show [them] who you are in your own voice. What is your story? Why did you choose to pursue certain opportunities? What activities are most meaningful to you? The very best way to approach your UChicago application is to simply be yourself and write in your own voice. [They] care about you and who you really are, not what you think we want to see in an application. UChicago is dedicated to changing the world by asking tough questions, conducting ground-breaking research , and cultivating a community of extraordinary scholars. According to University of Chicago admissions ( via their website ): Common App Personal Statement: Your personal statement should be appropriate for a wide array of audiences and should put your best foot forward. There is an academic part of the essays (can you think and can you write? A...

    The University of Michigan Excerpt Admitted students share a drive to pursue academic excellence in a challenging and rewarding academic environment.  What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? According to Michigan admissions  ( via their website ): “The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice.  Your essays should reveal how you have become a leader at your school and in your community. Be sure to explain to what heights you have taken your training in your extracurricular passions. How have you connected your studies and your non-academic passions? Try to reveal how the combination of coursework and related activities has inspired original thinking on your part. We also look for students who are curious about new ideas, people, and experiences, those who push boundaries and are not content with...

 ADMITTED BY UPENN  My ritual for making yoghurt has finally been perfected. I scoop two generous tablespoons of culture with milk, blending until there are no clumps. In the nook above the radiator, I keep a bowl overnight to ferment and wake up to the perfect blend of milk, cheese, and probiotics. Like my yoghurt, when I first moved from China to the US for school, I wanted to blend into everything : jumping right into Halloween, embracing gourds filled with candy with my friends while learning how to high-five. I tried all the pizza I could and ventured to a speciality ice-cream parlour to try every kind of cone. It all tasted so good and novel.  That's why when Thanksgiving came around in which I’d be traveling home, I was stoked to prepare for my family the most quintessential American feast. On the menu: honey-covered, juicy turkey drumsticks; garlic-flavored, buttery, decadent mashed potatoes, slightly charred, well-seasoned asparagus and Brussel sprouts; with a si...

  Boston College Excerpt According to Boston College admissions ( via their website ):   Boston College's admission process stands out for its holistic approach . While they consider academic achievements, their primary focus is assembling a diverse class with a wide range of talents and backgrounds . We are keen to understand how each student can contribute to the vibrant BC community.   BC challenges students to use their education to address society’s pressing needs , inwardly and outwardly reflect on their growth , and translate their contributions to the common good .    Guided by the principles of our Jesuit founders, Boston College fosters a unique learning environment. We encourage students to explore their inner selves and extend their reach to others. Our goal is to help you develop your mind and talents to the fullest and inspire you to use them in service to others. Watch Video: Why Boston College? In History, it is clear that students researched...

  Princeton Excerpt For each class, Princeton brings together a varied mix of high-achieving, intellectually gifted students from diverse backgrounds to create an exceptional learning community. According to Princeton admissions ( via their website ): “We look for students with intellectual curiosity who have pursued and achieved academic excellence.  We also look for students with strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments.”  “This is your opportunity to display your best writing as well as your ability to convey ideas in your own voice.” Instead of worrying about meeting a specific set of criteria, try to create an application that will help us see your achievements — inside the classroom and out — in their true context, so we can understand your potential to take advantage of the resources at Princeton and the kind of contribution you would make to the Princeton community . Show us what kind of student you are. Show us that you have taken advantage of what you...