Many of my earliest educational memories involve teachers mistaking me for my brother Jack. Typically, students are frustrated when a veteran teacher accidentally calls them by the name of an older sibling whom they have previously taught, but I have always regarded the simple misnomer as a compliment. My brother Jack was classified by many as one of the near-geniuses who walked the halls of our high school and was also recognized for the unconditional kindness that he exhibited toward...

In this essay, I mainly talked about the types of things that Northwestern had to offer that other schools simply didn't, and I talked a lot about my plans to be involved on campus in certain events and activities such as the Integrated Marketing Program, Kellogg's certificate programs, and certain student government organizations, all while sprinkling in references to traditions such as intramural quidditch, painting the rock, and opportunities and adventures in Chicago. I wanted to show the application readers...

I believe that recommendation letters are a very important part of your application, since they are the only part that gives an unbiased opinion about the applicant. Since you write everything else yourself, of course you are going to talk yourself up, but a teacher or a different...