I've seen it time and time again:

High school students try to mimic the viral college essays they see on TikTok or read about in the news.

Take 2021, for example, when Abigail Mack's heartfelt essay about losing her mother helped her get into Harvard.

Or in 2022, when Aurora Sky Castner grabbed attention with her opening line: "I was born in prison."

Or in 2023, when Haley Song captured the "chaos, injustice and joy of the roads of Phnom Penh."

These essays are deeply personal, with a unique story that highlights each student's own battles.

But most students haven't faced this level of hardship.

And when they try to force it, the result usually is:

• Exaggerating a minor sports injury.

• Worrying about a less-than-ideal grade.

• Overdramatizing COVID-19 disappointments.

Don't get me wrong, these are all valid experiences, and everyone experiences their own struggle...

But among all applicants, these are minor struggles and don't necessarily define a person.

That's why basing the whole essay on these stories can seem fake or forced, even if it is a good story!

So what can a student do when they don’t have this type of experience?

Well, to begin with:

They shouldn’t try to be someone they're not.

Rule of thumb: If you don’t have a story of struggle, do NOT fabricate one.

The trick is for students to really think hard and find what they're passionate about, their personality traits, and perspectives that make them different.

That’s the only way to find what makes them unique.

And that's what will make them stand out from the crowd.

I talk more about this in my new best-selling book:

“How to Win the Million Dollar College Admissions Game”

The book is only $2.99 and I have a full chapter on how to write the college essay step-by-step.

If you don’t have your copy yet you can get it by clicking the link below:

https://go.collegeadmissionssecrets.com/get-admissions-book

Dr. Agnia Grigas
Founder - College Admissions Secrets
Author - ‘‘How to Win the Million Dollar College Admissions Game’’

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