Friday 24 May 2013

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posted by · September 26, 2012 · Source: The New York Times · by Janet Lavin Rapelye · Photo: Creative Commons

answers from princeton’s dean of admission


This week The New York Times column, The Choice has invited Janet Lavin Rapelye, the dean of admission atPrinceton University, to answer select reader questions about college admissions in the blog’s Guidance Office, She answers question about the essay, standardized tests and more.  Here is a snippet below.

The Essay

Q. You hear admission officers and counselors talk about how important the essay is and how it shows that you are not just a test score. The importance, however, is still not clear. What exactly does an admission officer think as he goes about an applicant’s essay? What does he look for? What works in the applicant’s favor?

— Emiliano Lopez

A. Your ability to write well is critical to our decision because your writing reflects your thinking. No matter what question is asked on a college application, admission officers are looking to see how well you convey your ideas and express yourself in writing. It is our window to your world.

Your command of the English language, whether or not you are a native speaker, is important because you will be asked to write extensively when you get to our campuses.

The best applications come from students who have spent time writing their essays, editing their work, and refining their message.

It is important to answer the question that is asked by a specific school, and not just to “recycle” one essay. This is not the time to take an academic paper you have written for a high school course and edit it for the application essay. This is your moment to be authentic.

READ MORE: Click below

check out the the original article from The New York Times, written by Janet Lavin Rapelye

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