This is a fairly typical essay style. However, the great thing about this essay is that it focuses on something that went wrong. And it just sounds bad. College essays are weird in that they usually don't want to hear about how awesome you are. They really want to hear about how you know you have a lot to learn. Frankly, coming out of high school is just a point in your life that you will see that almost no...

I gave maybe 2 sentences at the very beginning talking about how prestigious the school is. Has great research opportunities and even as a freshman I will be able to have great access to those opportunities. I spent the rest of the space though talking about how Northwestern is right on Lake Michigan. I have a personal connection with the Lake since all of my summer's had previously been spent there sailing on it. So I talked about how it would...

This was Northwestern's only essay, but it was geared specifically for going to Weinberg's College of Arts and Sciences admissions board. I think it was 500 words.

This can be a good idea if you're thinking you've done something very noteworthy that was not put into your app. Always be...

I did not. My school was also not well equipped for providing me info on...

No school ever offered me an interview. However, some schools do have optional alumni interviews. DO THEM....

Calling the school you want...

Rank. Size. Location. In hindsight, if you're thinking about medical school, the undergraduate...

Be unique. Be professional. And BE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE!!!! Even if a school says they are not rolling admission... they are. Every school starts accepting kids under the table in order to make sure they...

In college, I created the Organic Chemistry Club, started my own...

Med School. Possible PhD. I am still considering having the military pay for Med school, which then would mean at least 4 years of...

I didn't do this. But a friend of mine did with the debate coach at Northwestern. It actually...

I took all of my physics courses in the summer between Soph and Junior years of college at DePaul University. One of...

It's on Lake Michigan. The kids here actually are not great. I can't wait to go to a school where kids appreciate their University (I can say this because even I...

I would have possibly applied to more...

Nothing that the school already knows, like how...

My depth of participation and my successes in Debate and Forensic competitions in high school. Also I had some...

Debate Coach. Teachers who have taught for a long time. They are more credible. Also an alum...

Early Decision...

I wanted to go somewhere that would put...