What Makes A Phenomenal Essay?

python38 · 05-23-2009, 03:01 PM

I don't mean a merely "good", solid essay. I don't even mean the kind of essay that will give you an "edge". I mean the kind of essay for which the admissions officers will nod and smile and think, "That's one of the best essays I've ever read."

We all know the various guidelines, the advice given to students on how to write admission essays. Show, don't tell; be yourself; and so forth. No doubt most students go on to follow this advice. What, then, makes a "best" essay in the eyes of an admissions officer?

Is it an essay that not only has good structure and follows the advice I mentioned, but discusses exceptional circumstances, and highlights something special about what the student's done?

Is it an essay that appeals to the adcom personally? One that can't be manufactured and pre-planned because it appeals more to one type of person than another?

Do these kinds of essays focus and flesh out just one thing the applicant's learned, or can it be a number of things, so long as the person goes into some detail?

How much "show don't tell" is too much "show don't tell"? Is it overdoing it just to tell, and not to use sentences such as "Eventually, I grew stronger and wiser," at all?

Is it none of those?

What, exactly, makes for a phenomenal essay?

jbierce · 05-23-2009, 08:46 PM

Great question, but I don't think it's one that is easily answered at all. I'd be interested to see what comes out of this thread

FeignFeign · 05-23-2009, 11:51 PM

hm i want to hear some opinions on this also. anyone?

python38 · 05-25-2009, 05:29 AM

Never before have so many wanted to know so little and been answered by so few.

6maverick6 · 05-26-2009, 06:44 PM

I believe the cardinal rule would be "Make the adcom wish the word limit was larger". However, I'm not entirely sure that this rule is set in stone...

IBfootballer · 05-26-2009, 06:49 PM

finesse.

a certain je ne sais quoix.

authenticity.

something that cannot be taught except over a lifetime.

tetrisfan · 05-27-2009, 02:21 AM

A topic that no one else can write about. Cliched, but how true!

ADad · 05-27-2009, 08:17 AM

What makes for greatness in a work of art, literature, music?

paki786 · 09-03-2009, 05:17 AM

bump!!!! i want this thread to be alive............

Senior0991 · 09-03-2009, 10:37 AM

A great writer will generally write at least a good essay. Factor in the context of the times, the reader, life experiences pertainin to the topic, etc. and there is a chance the essay will be great. So, a stroke of luck combined with a lifetime of skill.

If you're not a great writer, there is still a chance you can write a great essay, but not as much of a chance.

Just my 2 cents.

Danielle :) · 09-03-2009, 01:26 PM

"How much "show don't tell" is too much "show don't tell"? Is it overdoing it just to tell, and not to use sentences such as "Eventually, I grew stronger and wiser," at all?"

Such a good question...I'd like to know myself.

One thing I believe is important is the writer's craft. No, this is clearly not the most important aspect of an essay, but reading an essay that truly flows, and is just written wonderfully pays off A LOT.

paki786 · 09-03-2009, 03:47 PM

i think it is an amazing life experience combined with amazing writing skills..

i read the 50 accepted harvard essays and most were about mundane topics written well. they werent phenomenal, just good to great.

i saw one phenomenal one and that was the person's amazing life experience winning a personality contest.

so amazing life experience + amazing writing skills = most amazing essay
mundane topic +written welll = great
everyday topic +written well = good

limabeans · 09-04-2009, 11:56 PM

Is it just one event as an example of who that person is or is it better to describe the person (you) over time?

PLEASE write your opinion! What do the adcoms want?

powerbomb · 09-05-2009, 01:34 AM

I don't think anybody will be able to answer this question - not even the adcoms. Adcoms themselves are not waiting for a certain topic - they are not expecting anything when they start going through that pile of essays. They just read. And as they go along, they sometimes find that one essay that stands out. Maybe the adcom was able to perfectly relate with that essay. Maybe, in that spur of the moment, the adcom really liked the essay's theme. Who knows?

I did hear of one incident (I doubt it's reality) where the essay's topic was "Write about a risk that you have taken" and the student wrote:

This.

vbplayer · 09-05-2009, 01:37 AM

I think if you write about something that you're really passionate and just comes naturally to you, it will be phenomenal. You obviously have to have some talent and raw love for what you are writing about, but if it comes from the heart, I think an admission officer will be able to tell.