Guide: Writing the Perfect Admissions Essay to Get Into the Ivy League

Mark, a top advisor at Anti-Shkola and an expert in international education, shares how to craft a personal statement that captivates admissions officers and helps you get accepted into Harvard or other elite U.S. universities.

With extensive experience in journalism and over 100 published articles in major outlets like Forbes, The Atlantic, and The New York Post, Mark is a master of the written word. As a graduate of an Ivy League school himself, he understands the unique expectations of elite admissions committees. For years, he has been helping students from Russia get into top U.S. colleges.

Mark Nuckols, Education Expert for U.S. Admissions
People often ask me for advice on writing effectively. The first thing I tell them is that good writing starts with clear thinking. Great style won’t save a piece if the main idea is weak or uninteresting. Your essay needs to be clear, concise, and compelling. Above all, however, the key ingredient is hard work. The more time you spend refining and revising your essay, the better it will be.

The Purpose of the Personal Statement
Your essay is your chance to speak directly to the admissions committee and let them know who you are and what you stand for.

What are admissions officers looking for?

First, they want to see that you can write well, expressing yourself clearly and concisely.
They also want to know if you’ll fit into their student community and succeed academically.
Most importantly, they want to know who you are.

What Should Your Essay Convey?
Your essay should reflect your authentic self. It should discuss something meaningful to you, be specific, and avoid being vague or generic.
To help illustrate the process of writing a unique essay, I’ll walk you through preparing a Common Application essay—a central application that allows students to apply to multiple U.S. colleges simultaneously. The Common App offers six prompts, such as lessons learned from overcoming challenges or exploring why you find a particular idea intriguing (or, alternatively, a topic of your choice). Essay length should be between 250 and 650 words.

How to Write a Standout Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Choosing a Topic
Your topic is crucial. If you pick something that doesn’t truly interest you, it will be difficult to create a compelling essay. I ask students to write a 100-200 word response to each of the six prompts, sharing their initial thoughts. Then, we discuss and brainstorm to identify which topic is the most engaging and persuasive.

Step 2: Drafting with Structure and Bullet Points
Once we’ve chosen a topic, I recommend main points to cover and a possible structure. Then, the student writes their first draft—around 1,000 words. It’s often easier to trim unnecessary details than to add more.

Step 3: Editing
After the first draft is complete, we meet to review it. The initial focus is on content—ensuring the story is as strong as it can be. Then, we refine and revise, focusing on structure, clarity, word choice, and grammar. It’s not a quick process; we’ll usually go through at least three drafts. Typically, this process takes about two weeks, so it’s not something to leave to the last minute. However, the result is worth the effort: a polished essay that persuasively demonstrates why the admissions committee should choose you.

Supplemental Essays: What Are They, and Why Are They Important?
Most top colleges also require one or more supplemental essays, often asking why you want to attend that specific school. Here, it’s essential to show that you understand the school’s programs and values.
Another common prompt asks you to describe an idea or subject you’re passionate about. Here, you should demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject and articulate why it interests you.
Writing is a skill, and it takes time to master. Many talented students have excellent ideas but lack experience putting them into words. As a writer and editor with a deep understanding of the requirements of top U.S. colleges, I can help turn your ideas and story into an essay that will convince the admissions committee that you’re the student they want.

I believe each student is unique and has great potential. My goal is to help convey that uniqueness in your essay, showing how you’ll thrive in college and beyond.

Author: Mark Nuckols

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