50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

Have Editors for Different Purposes
“Allow plenty of time for editing and revision. Don’t just sit down the 
night before the application is due and throw something together. Prepare a 
rough draft and then have numerous people read it over. I had my English 
teacher read mine for grammar and usage, my parents read it for relevance, 
and my guidance counselor read it for appropriateness all before I sent it in.”
—Cameron McConkey, Cornell University
Don’t Get Carried Away with the Topic
“Everyone always says that your college admissions essay should be about 
something you are passionate about. While I agree with this advice because 

---

208
50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays
it definitely comes easier if you love what you are writing about, it is just as 
important to remember not to get too carried away with the topic. remember, 
that you have to find a way to relate the topic to you—your personality traits 
and your strengths. A lot of seniors choose great topics to write about but for-
get that the real purpose of this essay is to reflect who you are. You don’t nec-
essarily have to be direct in describing yourself (‘I am a wonderful person’); 
you can imply things about the type of person (‘I tried twenty different times 
and my perseverance paid off’), but make sure that you convey the important 
things about who you are and why you’re a good match for the college.”
—Manika, University of Pennsylvania