50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

Think before Writing
“Sit down and think about yourself to figure out what specific qualities 
you like about yourself, and think of a story (symbolic or real, or both) that 
really exemplifies or shows those qualities.”
—Robert Lee, Columbia University
You Don’t Need an Extraordinary Story
“Write about something you are passionate about. Do not feel you have to 
show off your awards... but you shouldn’t be modest either. You want the essay’s 
focus to be something that the reader will remember. You want the reader to 
label you (e.g. ‘the girl who likes to bake chocolate cookies’ or ‘the gymnast 
who won an Olympic medal’) so that s/he can remember you throughout the 
process. remember that everyday events can be—and often are—best to write 
about... it is not necessary to have an ‘extraordinary story’ to tell... you are aim-
ing for the reader to get a sense of your personality and of what drives you.”
—Zachary Richner, Harvard University

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Chapter 22: Advice on Writing from Ivy League Students