You should email the recommender a polite reminder. Something like: I just wanted to touch base with you regarding my recommendation letter. Would you mind letting me know when you have sent them in so that I can cross them off my to-do list? It will help me keep my applications organized. As a reminder, my application for X is due, and Y is due _. Thank you in advance. I appreciate everything you're doing for me!

So you’ve requested an LOR from a professor and they haven’t responded yet. Should you worry? In short, no. Professors get many, many emails every day, and it’s most likely that, despite your concerns, a lack of response is not a “no”. Rather, it means that the professor is busy and hasn’t had the time to respond, or that they put it aside and forgot about it. Here’s what you do next — Send a polite follow-up email like this: Hello Dr. XXX, I am just following up on the email I sent on XXX. I am sure you are very busy, but I was wondering if you’ve had the chance to review my request for a letter of recommendation. I am applying to XXX program(s) with due dates XXX. Please let me know if you are willing to write me a letter of recommendation or if you’re too busy so that I can make other arrangements. I have attached my resume for your reference, and I am more than happy to send you additional information if you need or want more from me. Thank you in advance for your time, and I hope you are well! Best, Eager Applicant Alternatively, if you are on or near campus, you should consider visiting your professor in person. Doing so will not only add a personal element to your request, but it will allow the professor to ask clarifying questions and/or glean important information quickly, without having to take the time to craft an email response. If you choose this route, come armed with your resume and a brag sheet. If your professor has already agreed to write a recommendation letter but has not gotten around to it yet, you might address this situation like this: Dear Dr. X, I just wanted to touch base with you regarding my recommendation letter for XXX. Would you mind letting me know when you have submitted it/them so I can cross it/them off my to-do list? It will help me keep my applications organized. As a reminder, my application for University X is due XXX/applications are due XXX. Thank you in advance, and I appreciate your help. Best, Eager Applicant Finally, be sure to follow up with the professor a week before the deadline if the letter has not been submitted yet, and send a thank you note once it is done. Good luck applicants! Reach out to us at World Awaits if you have questions or need help with this ever-so-important step in your application journey.

So you’ve been working yourself to the bone, spending hours-upon-hours (or even weeks-upon-weeks) developing the perfect personal statement. But how do you wrap it up in a way that leaves a lasting impression with the admissions committee? Link your conclusion back to your introduction. Doing so shows that you can form a well-developed written argument and provides the reader with a satisfying sense of closure. Take a look at these examples from clients I worked with in the past for some inspiration. This client opened the essay by discussing a personal challenge and how it motivated them to enter their field of study. This is the last sentence in the PS: At the same time, as a (REFERENCE TO CHALLENGE), I will provide a uniquely personal voice regarding how (CHALLENGE) affects individuals on a direct and visceral level. It is because of this experience that I have found my purpose in FIELD OF STUDY -- a calling (UNIVERSITY) can help me realize. 2. This client opened the essay by discussing what their field of study meant to them and why it was their calling. These are the last three sentences in their PS: In this circle of life, my contribution is (FIELD OF STUDY / STRENGTH RELATED TO FIELD OF STUDY). Exactly how my journey will unfold is yet to be determined, but I envision myself (LONG-TERM GOAL). Two things are certain: I will continue to grow professionally and, as a UNIVERSITY alum, I will uphold its mission of (SUMMARY OF UNIVERSITY/PROGRAM MISSION) in my life’s work by (HOW). 3. This client opened the essay by discussing their personal values. This is the last sentence in their PS: My (PERSONAL VALUES), along with my goal to (OVERARCHING CAREER GOAL), have not only informed my decision to enter the world of (FIELD OF STUDY) but serve as my future motivation. Reach out to us if you need help with your personal statement, and we'll get started right away!

If you don’t feel like you have a strong anecdote to start off your SOP, it’s okay. Don’t feel like you have to force one. Because stories are memorable, and because stories help with organization and flow, anecdotes are the most common way to begin a graduate school SOP. However, they are by no means the only way to start. Past academic and/or professional achievement, passion, and commitment to your field are the best predictors of graduate school success. To successfully complete a graduate-level program, you must be able to handle the academic rigor, and you must be able to push through failure or stagnation. Your ability to commit yourself to your work depends largely on your ability to undertake stressful and demanding situations — which is much easier to do when you are passionate about your program and project(s). Use your SOP to demonstrate that spending the next 2-6 years on your work excites the hell out of you. Now, if you don’t have an anecdote showing your passion for your field, it’s okay. Instead you should start with your long-term and short-term goals. This is, in my professional opinion, the best way to demonstrate passion for your field or projects. It shows that your graduate work is crucial for you — an important, self-motivating factor. Check out this guided brainstorm — I’m sure it will help you hone in on the information you need to write your SOP. And reach out to us for one-on-one assistance. We will help you write a killer SOP!

1) Be strategic in taking the SAT or the ACT In the United States, students take their first test in the spring (in fact, many schools set aside a school day for students to sit for it) because testing early gives them plenty of time to retest if necessary. I’ve found it’s common for international students to wait until the fall to take their standardized tests, but this is not recommended because late test score results could exclude your student from applying at all, and there won’t be time to improve the results if he or she has an off day. Additionally, make sure your child takes the test that best suits them. Wondering which one that might be? You should read an article I wrote a while ago outlining the differences between the two tests: Which is better - the SAT or the ACT?. Your child should take the test that is going to make him or her the most competitive in the eyes of admissions officers. It is very important that you remember these admissions tests are graded on a curve. This means that your child’s score is determined by comparing their performance against other test takers. So, while for most the SAT is “easier”, it is easier for everyone who takes it. And since the ACT is harder for everyone who takes it, this is something your student can use to their advantage. Your child should take full, timed practice tests to see which one they perform better on. 2) In fact, be strategic in taking the TOEFL or the IELTS as well For the same reasons listed above, plan for the TOEFL or the IELTS carefully. It is hard to compare the two directly, as they cater to different skill-sets, so you can consider the following yes/no statements: I have decent handwriting. I am comfortable talking to people. I am able to understand a variety of English dialects. I prefer tests with multiple question types (true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, etc.) I am comfortable communicating about non-academic subjects. The majority of the English I engage with is for entertainment purposes, rather than academic. If you answered “yes” to the majority of these statements, then IELTS is probably the better test for you. Now consider these yes/no statements: I am comfortable talking into a microphone to record spoken responses. I can type quickly. I prefer multiple choice questions. I am most comfortable with American English. I am comfortable communicating about academic subjects. The majority of the English I engage with is academic, rather than entertaining. If you answered “yes” to the majority of these statements, then TOEFL is probably the better test for you. That aside, my clients often find IELTS to be easier. This is because it focuses more on "general" English, but it is best for you to consider which of the two tests play into your child’s strengths. 3) Go both deep and broad with the extracurriculars Your child needs to show both a breadth and a depth of extracurricular involvement to build what I call a “T-Shaped” profile. Gone are the days of tackling music, sports, community service, debate, and student government simultaneously. Now, admissions committees want to see students who have really developed themselves in one or two areas, particularly within the last couple years of high school, because it shows commitment. Your child will be most competitive if he or she finds one (or two) things they’re truly passionate about and takes it beyond a standard level. What do I mean? If your child likes to play the violin, they can go deeper than simply playing in the school orchestra by doing things like composing their own music, teaching younger children in the community, or playing fundraisers for causes they care about. 4) Make sure you are demonstrating interest - including opening school emails One important factor in university admissions is demonstrated interest. Simply put, schools prefer students who genuinely want to be there. These days, universities are using big data to track demonstrated interest, such as whether or not your child is following them on social media, visits the campus, reaches out to the admissions department, and - yes - is opening their email correspondences. I recommend that all clients start a new email account just for college applications because schools send out a lot of information, and it can be easy to be annoyed and/or overwhelmed by it all. When you do this, please make sure your son or daughter’s email name is professional. 5) Hone the art of the essay Strong essays are imperative to your child’s success in the admissions process. They are the “window” admissions committees use to understand who your son or daughter is as a person - their passions, motivations, and unique characteristics. Working with clients, the essays are the most challenging (and often most stressful) part of the application. So, with that in mind, I offer you four tips to make your student’s essays stand out: Make sure your child uses his or her own voice In other words, have your child write in a way they would speak - using language they would use in everyday life. Do not have them get out a thesaurus to replace their words with new, different, or difficult words because this will sound inauthentic (trust me, admissions committees can easily spot a thesaurized essay). Also, as a non-native English speaker, it can be powerful to incorporate Chinese words or phrases into the essay. When done correctly, this makes the essay more original and reminds the reader of your child’s multilingual and multicultural background. Show and then tell You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s true: Admissions officers want to glean who your child is through stories and examples. You absolutely want your essay to use language to paint a picture, inviting the reader into your son or daughter’s world. Doing so demonstrates that you are a strong writer. But, don’t stop with the pretty pictures. Your child must also explain “so what.” Why is his or her story important? What was learned from it? How did he or she change as a result of the experience? By explaining the “why” after the story, your student will demonstrate their critical thinking skills and maturity. Grab the reader’s attention immediately This, too, is not new advice; however, if you want (hint: you do) admissions officers to pay you attention to your child’s essay, they must grab their attention right away. 6) Apply Early Applying Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) will give your child a huge advantage. I wrote an article, Applying EA & ED: It Works, that will explain this in further detail, and, though it’s a couple years old, the advice is still firm. Why? Most schools have higher EA/ED acceptance rates, but selective schools accept TRIPLE their EA/ED applicants than their RD applicants. This is partially because those who apply early tend to be the more motivated and organized students (the students universities are most interested in). Applying early also demonstrates interest. Ultimately, universities are interested in accepting students they believe are likely to attend their institution. This guarantees tuition and increases their yield rate. Universities consider EA/ED applicants to be serious about attending their institution and are thus more likely to admit them. 7) Have your child apply to schools that are less popular with local families Geographical diversity is important in admissions. By adding a few less-popular schools to your child’s list, you increase his or her chances of admission to a good school in the US. I am not saying you should decrease the ranking or rigor of the school, but rather consider comparable schools that are outside of those your child’s friends are focused on. Simply research admitted student profiles, then find similar programs that receive far fewer applications from students in your area. For example, Wellesley and Amherst are popular liberal arts colleges, while comparable Bowdoin and Oberlin do not draw as many applications from international students. 8) Make a schedule Time is a fleeting resource. It is easy to get immersed in day-to-day responsibilities if you don’t create a concrete plan to build your child’s profile. Students in the United States have access to counselors who begin them on the road to college in grade 7 or 8. It is perfectly fine if you haven’t, but you will need to create a plan as soon as possible and stick to it (after all, perseverance is a top quality in any college applicant). I’ve published my recommended timeline from the summer before 11th grade through admission. Please check it out to make sure your child is on track. ➽➽➽If you would like more help with your child’s application, consider working with me directly. I will make sure their applications are strong, attention-grabbing, and worthy of any of your target schools.

Ask any high schooler what their dream university is, and you’re likely to hear “Harvard”. Aside from being the oldest educational institution in the United States, Harvard’s reputation in politics, business, science, and the humanities is the stuff of legends, graduating a number of “greats”, including Barack Obama, Conan O-Brien, T.S. Eliot, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. However, for those with Harvard aspirations, admission is challenging. Harvard accepts less than 5% of all applicants. In 2019, for instance, only 1,980 applicants were accepted. And that number dropped even lower in 2020, despite Covid-19-related application challenges. Now, while gaining admission isn’t easy, it’s not impossible either. And we want to be one of the lucky few who make it into Harvard. Admissions into U.S. universities is different from most other countries. Having worked with numerous international clients throughout the years, I’ve found three common mistakes or misunderstandings: Being more concerned with grades and test scores than experience and character Not allowing enough time to prepare strong applications Writing in elegant or sparse styles instead of direct and specific writing Over the past 11 years, I’ve helped hundreds of clients tackle these challenges and turn in fabulous applications, with 100 percent of my clients earning admission into their target institutions — including Harvard. Having an expert in your corner (like me), working with you every step of the way will guarantee your application is strong. I specialize in helping students just like you meet deadlines; write unique, memorable essays; and turn in their best applications. If you start working with me early in your academics (I work with clients starting from as early as 8th grade), we’ll do early profile development so you can discover your unique qualities, skills, and values and build on them in the years before applying to a U.S. university. If we start working together later in the game, say just months before your application is due, I’ll extract information from you that exemplifies the qualities, skills, and values that Harvard wants to see in a compelling application, and I’ll guide you on highlighting these things throughout your application. The More Information You Have the Better But I want to be as helpful as possible, even if we don’t work together, so as promised, I’ll share some tips on Harvard’s admissions process. I’ll walk you through their required application materials and admissions criteria, and I’ll focus a lot on essay writing tips since this will be the best place for you to differentiate yourself from the rest of the competition. Essay writing is a very weak area for a lot of students, so the more information you have about it the better you’ll be. I’ll give you some general advice on everything, and by the end you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. To begin, watch my FREE workshop, The World Awaits Strategy: How to Beat the Competition and Attend One of the Best Universities in the United States, to learn: The two things you must demonstrate in your application if you want to be admitted into a top-tier institution How to put together the 5 most common application materials so you stand apart from the competition GET PERFECT ACT / SAT SCORES Grades and test scores are the first things admissions officers check when reviewing applications. Those that are below the cut off are immediately dismissed. However, to be seriously considered, applicants need to have perfect or nearly-perfect grades and standardized test scores. And what’s more, students are expected to take rigorous classes. Perfect grades in honors, AP, or IB classes are far more impressive than perfect grades in general education classes. Want to know how top-tier institutions like Harvard review applications? Check out this article that breaks down the path your application will take as it moves through the admissions process. DEVELOP YOUR PROFILE As my free workshop details, you need to demonstrate that you have the background and skills Harvard is looking for. All Ivy League institutions seek students who have done amazing things in their lives, and as evidenced by this past success, are likely to go on to do more amazing things. This doesn't mean you have to be a world-renowned pianist, Olympic athlete, or published researcher, but you DO have to have done something that helps you stand out from the rest of the applicants. To do this, start developing your academic and extracurricular background early. It’s okay — even expected — that you will try a variety of extracurriculars. From there, you need to pick one or two that you are truly passionate about and go deep with them. This demonstrates that you are a T-shaped applicant, or someone with both a breadth and a depth of experience. Read this article for more information on what a T-shaped applicant is and how you can become one. In addition to showing that you are passionate about something beyond your studies, you need to show that you are the right candidate for Harvard specifically. Demonstrating school fit is extremely important: you must suit Harvard’s campus and culture. So as you develop your profile, take on extracurriculars that also show you possess the things Harvard looks for in an applicant, such as leadership and community involvement. If you fail to demonstrate that you are a good fit for Harvard — whether that be academically or socially — your application will land in the “rejected” pile. WRITE COMPELLING APPLICATION ESSAYS Most applicants have excellent grades and test scores — just like you — so you must submit amazing essays to stand out. Strong essays will not get you admitted if you don’t have the requisite academic credentials, but weak essays will absolutely strike you from the admit list. Personal Statement Although Harvard accepts the Common App and the Coalition App, I suggest you complete one of the Common App personal statement prompts because they collaborate with more universities. When you are done writing it, you will then be able to submit the same essay to the Coalition App by simply cutting it down to 500 words. To write a personal statement that convinces AOs that you’re an ideal candidate, begin by reading my article on the Common Application Essay. It will help you determine which prompt to select and how to write a unique story. But, in short, you must avoid writing a generic essay by digging deep and writing about yourself in a way that highlights the novelty you possess. Once you have determined which essay prompt grabs you — which essay prompt you feel you can rotate a unique story around — it’s time to start brainstorming. I walk my clients through several brainstorming activities, but my favorite involves identifying their personal qualities and values. Why? Because your personal qualities and values motivated you in the past, and they will continue to do so in the future. For example, if the challenge of tackling a robotics competition inspired you to learn programming or the desire of beating your last debate ranking inspired you to take speech classes, it’s likely that new challenges will motivate you to success in the future. When AOs understand this about you (or whatever your personal qualities and values are), they see you as more than a set of test scores and grades and can envision you on their campus. Qualities and values add humanity to your application. When presented properly, they serve as the thread that ties everything in your application together. Want to read some examples of awesome values-based writing? Check out thisibelieve.org as well as Essays That Worked. Next, freewrite. If possible, give yourself a couple weeks to write down everything that pops into your head on your topic(s) of choice and your personal values. Spend 10 minutes or so every single day on this activity. 10 minutes — that’s it! Set a timer and go. The purpose of freewriting is to keep your writing loose and authentic. You don’t want your essay to sound fake or “thesaurized”, so use this activity to get comfortable writing with your own voice and to avoid forcing an essay into what you think AOs want to read. “One of the great clichés of college admissions is the exhortation that students find their own voices in the essay (and interviews)—and 'be themselves.' It’s a cliché because it’s good advice." - William Fitzsimmons, Harvard Dean of Admissions With your juices flowing, it’s then time to move on to the main event — drafting. There are three ways that I suggest organizing an essay: narrative, iterative, and circular. Choose the one that best fits you and your story. Narrative essays follow a traditional story arc: 1) Everything is normal, 2) A conflict arises, 3) The main character (you) makes an important decision or action, and 4) Everything is better. Keep in mind the conflict does not need to be a challenge; it may be a question, a challenge, a goal, or an opportunity. Iterative essays are a little more advanced than narrative essays because they follow a pattern that isn’t quite as obvious. Writing an iterative essay involves creating a new whole from separate fragments, such as ideas, values, experiences, pictures, etc. Think of a montage from a movie, where several scenes are shown briefly to show the passage of time in a condensed, efficient way. A few images tell the entire story. Iterative essays do the same thing. The goal is to find a theme that links the short stories or examples so they connect in a meaningful way for the reader. Circular essays end in the same spot they begin, with the main character undergoing a transformation. You can accomplish this by using flashback or by following a story circle: 1) The main character is in a comfortable place, 2) They want something new, 3) They enter into an unfamiliar situation, 4) They get what they want, 5) But they pay a price for it, 6) They return to where they started having changed or learned something. Circular essays are compelling because by ending where they begin, they naturally include an element of closure, which is satisfactory for the reader. After completing your first draft, you’re going to need to revise like crazy. I find it takes a minimum of 7 drafts to land on a compelling, well-written personal essay. It’s not an easy feat, but I can help you hone your writing to convey everything it needs to make you a memorable candidate. Supplemental Essays 1. (REQUIRED) Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words) My advice: Write About a Revealing Extracurricular Activity or Work Experience What do I mean by “revealing”? Well, write about an activity or experience that demonstrates something new about you — something that isn’t addressed (or at least not much) elsewhere in your application. In other words, if you decided to write about a particular extracurricular activity in your personal statement, don’t write about it for this prompt. You also want to select an activity that demonstrates passion. Don’t choose the activity you participated in simply to add to your apps, nor the activity you think will “look better” to admissions. Instead, choose an extracurricular that you are truly passionate about so your writing is authentic. Admissions officers can smell BS a mile away. Begin your essay with an interesting one- to two-sentence anecdote that will grab the reader’s attention. Make it personal and honest so the admissions officers get to know who you are. Or begin with something you’ve learned about yourself from your experience. Add detail and specifics to show (not tell) your awesomeness. 2. (REQUIRED) Your intellectual life may extend beyond the academic requirements of your particular school. Please use the space below to list additional intellectual activities that you have not mentioned or detailed elsewhere in your application. These could include, but are not limited to, supervised or self-directed projects not done as school work, training experiences, online courses not run by your school, or summer academic or research programs not described elsewhere. (150 words) My Advice: Highlight Your Intellectual Curiosity This prompt naturally highlights intellectual curiosity, but you need to be careful how you approach it. Many applicants use the allotted space to summarize their responsibilities and achievements and neglect to demonstrate internal motivation. Don’t be one of those people. As Simon Sinek explains in his wildly popular TedX presentation, “why” sells. You need to approach this essay the same way — by demonstrating the motivation behind your academic pursuits. 3. (OPTIONAL) You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments. You may write on a topic of your choice, or you may choose from one of our topics. (650 words) My Advice: Take This Opportunity to Reveal More About Yourself Although the third supplemental essay is completely optional, all of my past clients who were admitted to Harvard have taken the time and effort to submit ALL of the essays. Of course, submitting the optional supplemental does not assure admission, but it DOES show effort, initiative, and character — qualities every university is looking for. This essay is essentially another personal statement, and you want to treat it with the same level of importance. Make sure it reveals something new about you while also highlighting your personal qualities, values, and interests. To make sure this supplement isn’t too similar to your main application essay, you should write this one with a different structure (see above), different content, or both. If you’re really struggling with this prompt, consider waiting until you have written a few supplemental essays for other schools so you can repurpose that writing. 4. (REQUIRED) For International Students: What specific plan do you have, if any, for using the education you hope to receive? (50 words) My advice: Focus on Your Future Impact Give a short, to-the-point, impact-driven response on what you want to do after graduation. It’s okay if you don’t know yet; use a proxy career or focus on your field of study. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER As you can see, a lot goes into a successful Harvard application, and that’s exactly why you need an expert like World Awaits to walk you through the entire process. I’ll create a personalized plan that encompasses things like interest strategizing, essay writing guidance and proofreading, and interview prep. Check out my packages, sign up for a free 20 minute consultation, or reach out to talk more. I look forward to working with you!

More than 900 colleges and universities work with the Common Application, so you can expect to complete this online application if you plan to study in the United States. Of course each institution has slightly different requirements, but they all require the Common App essay. With 7 choices, you will need to select the best prompt for you and your story, which you will then submit to every school in your application list. Needless to say, writing a strong essay is very important. The primary challenge with admissions essays is making them stand out. Because admissions officers read essays all day long, year-after-year, it is difficult to find an original angle. Many students read a prompt and go, "Oh! I know exactly how to answer that prompt! I have the perfect story!" However, in all likelihood, there are many other applicants thinking the same thing about a similar instance in their lives. This isn't to say that your experiences aren't important or meaningful to you, but you must be creative. As a study abroad consultant, I have a very good idea of ​​what makes a successful application essay. Here is how I suggest you tackle each Common App essay prompt: 1) Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. This prompt really gives you the leeway to write about anything you want. The danger is in telling a common story. You must find a way to spin it differently . Want to write about a unique talent or interest you have? That's fine, but consider all of the other people who share your talent or interest. How is your story different? Find that difference and then write your essay from that angle. Want to write about a personal struggle you had making friends, improving a grade, or winning a competition? Tread carefully. These stories are a dime-a-dozen: everybody has one. That said, if you can find a way that your resilience is unique, it can be a compelling story. Ask yourself-how are you different? Want to write about a particularly painful experience in your life, such as a death in the family or a struggle with mental illness? Go ahead. But you must end on a positive note. Admissions officers want to see that you are resilient — not seeking sympathy admission. 👉👉 Consider going small with your essay. Do you have any idiosyncrasies or weird loves? Feel free to write about them. This angle, while seemingly less deep, can grab admissions officers' attention for being different. 2) The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? The challenges with this prompt are similar to the first. No admissions officer wants to read another "I failed a test but studied hard and turned it around" or "I lost a competition so I practiced more and got better" essay. If you want to go with this prompt, you need to do one of four things: 👉👉 Go Small. Write about a small failure, such as how you forgot to tip your server, slipped in the rain, or were ten minutes late for an appointment. Turn this small failure into a parody or satirical piece. 👉👉 Go “insignificant". Write about an instance that seemed small when it happened but later ended up having a big impact on you. 👉👉 Surprise the reader by presenting an unpredictable reaction to your challenge. 👉👉 Use a unique theme or format. But don't forget — this essay is about how you learned from your failure. The majority of your essay must focus on your growth. 3) Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? This essay prompt has real potential to show off your personal qualities and values. However, no one likes a braggart. So stay humble and, because you never know who will be reading your essay, avoid controversial topics. Want to write about a belief or idea you feel passionately about? That's wonderful. But don't preach your ideas, and don't come across as all-knowing. Want to write about how you disagree with this political stance or that religious belief? Just don't do it. Find a topic that is less contentious. 4) Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? The trap students fall into with this prompt fall into one (or more) of three categories: 1) Waxing philosophical about the importance of gratitude, 2) Focusing on a trite person, object, or experience, 3) Spending too much of the essay in summary mode. To tackle this essay successfully, keep the story personal and focused on you, and avoid excessive summarization. Admissions officers don’t care so much about the object, scenario, or person you choose to write about; they care about how it has impacted you and your place in the world. 👉👉 Go small. Write about an interaction you witnessed, a seemingly insignificant event, or a conversation you had. 👉👉 Use a unique format or framing device. 👉👉 Take the reader in an unexpected direction. 5) Discuss an accomplishment, event or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. This is another prompt that lends itself to a common, boring essay. Don't summarize your story. Instead, write so that the reader feels as though it is happening to them. Make the reader invested in the outcome . Want to write about a formal event? Make sure it is unique. For example, if you and your friends hold an annual beach party in which everyone competes to see who can eat an entire watermelon first, feel free to write about it. However, if your formal event is a common occurrence (such as a religious or cultural right of passage) you will want to use an unique theme or format. Want to write about an informal event? You will have an easier time making it interesting, but your ultimate goal is still to grab the reader's attention and keep it. 6) Describe a topic, idea or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? This essay prompt presents a great opportunity to show off your values ​​and passions. The key is to keep it genuine. Do not use this prompt to brag about how smart you are. Instead, show admissions officers that you are intellectually curious. They want to see that you can (and enjoy) thinking about complex topics. Or you can use this prompt to show off your quirky interests, such as your desire to learn Old Norse or your passion for drawing anatomically correct flowers. 7) Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. And this is it — the prompt that will let you write about anything you want. Have fun! Just make sure your essay is about you. Keep it personal. Keep it positive. Make sure it reveals your values, passions, and qualities you want admissions officers to know about you. Want help writing one of these prompts in a compelling way? Let World Awaits help! We will start by getting to know you — your unique qualities, interests, values, and goals — to narrow down the perfect prompt. We will then guide you step-by-step through the brainstorming, outlining, and editing processes to create a captivating essay that encapsulates you and your accomplishments. Reach out to us today!

You’ve got a TOEFL score of 100, an SAT score of 1400, an SAT essay score of 16, and your GPA is 3.75. First, congratulations! You show perseverance, a strong work ethic, and dedication to achieving a great academic record. These are impressive stats that fall within the range of scores for students who were accepted to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2020. They will more than likely get you through a first round of admissions cut-offs at UIUC, but test scores and a high GPA are only two factors that UIUC uses to make admissions decisions. They are not enough to make you stand out from the thousands of other applicants. What will make you stand out is who you are outside of the classroom--UIUC wants leaders, creative individuals, people who serve their communities, and those who show intellectual curiosity. The Importance of Having More Than Good Grades Your personal background, experience, and character are equally important to your grades. This may be hard to imagine, but read this, direct from UIUC’s admissions page: “We’re looking for students who have the personal qualities to succeed on and contribute to our campus. In addition to strong academic success, you should be able to demonstrate some impact or level of accomplishment in your school, your community, your state, or nationally. Activities should indicate your strengths and skills, such as leadership ability, perseverance, creativity, generosity, determination, motivation, concern, and intellectual curiosity.” I cannot emphasize this enough: your application is more than just grades and test scores. Your personal background, experience, and character are equally important to your grades. Admissions into U.S. universities is different from most other countries. Having worked with numerous international clients throughout the years, I’ve found three common mistakes or misunderstandings: Being more concerned with grades and test scores than experience and character Not allowing enough time to prepare strong applications Writing in elegant or sparse styles instead of direct and specific writing Over the past 11 years, I’ve helped hundreds of clients tackle these challenges and turn in fabulous applications, with 100 percent of my clients earning admission into their target institutions. Having an expert in your corner (like me), working with you every step of the way will guarantee your application is strong. I specialize in helping students just like you meet deadlines; write unique, memorable essays; and turn in their best applications. If you start working with me early in your academics (I work with clients starting from as early as 8th grade), we’ll do early profile development so you can discover your unique qualities, skills, and values and build on them in the years before applying to a U.S. university. If we start working together later in the game, say just months before your application is due, then I’ll help extract information from you that exemplifies the qualities, skills, and values that UIUC wants to see in a compelling application, and I’ll guide you on highlighting these things throughout your application. The More Information You Have the Better But I want to be as helpful as possible, even if we don’t work together, so as promised, I’ll share some tips on UIUC’s admissions process. I’ll walk you through UIUC’s required application materials and admissions criteria, and I’ll focus a lot on essay writing tips since this will be the best place for you to differentiate yourself from the rest of the competition. Essay writing is a very weak area for a lot of students, so the more information you have about it the better off you’ll be. I’ll give you some general advice on everything, and by the end you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. For more general advice on how to differentiate yourself from the competition, check out my free workshop titled The World Awaits Strategy: How to Beat the Competition and Attend one of the Best Universities in the United States. Required UIUC Application Materials Application and fee, including essay Along with standard contact information, you’ll list your high school courses/grades and test scores; choose your major and an alternative program; and list your extracurricular activities, honors, and awards. You can complete an application by setting up a myillini account, through the Common Application, or through the Coalition Application. The fee is $50 for domestic students and $75 for international students. Transcripts Test Scores International Student Requirements Program Specific Requirements My general advice: I recommend you create calendar reminders, talk with UIUC admissions advisors, and research as much as you can about the application process. UIUC’s admissions page is very comprehensive and provides very good insight into their process. Or, sign up for one of my packages and I’ll make sure you’ve got an application packet complete to the highest quality. UIUC-specific Admissions Criteria Before you write your essay and submit your application, let’s go over the minimum admissions criteria for UIUC and my general advice on each category. Coursework English: 4 years required Math: 3 or 3.5 years required, 4 years recommended Social sciences: 2 years required, 4 years recommended Lab sciences: 2 years required, 4 years recommended Language other than English: 2 years required, 4 years recommended Flexible academic units: 2 years required, 4+ years recommended My advice: The above is the bare minimum you need to be considered for admissions to UIUC. To increase your chances, I recommend taking advanced courses in any or all of the above areas. Being successful in rigorous courses shows that you can handle challenging coursework and that you are serious about your academics. UIUC academics are challenging. If you can prove ahead of time that you can be successful in tough classes, then you’ll show UIUC that you can handle their classes as well. Test Scores UIUC accepts the ACT or SAT and doesn’t give a preference for either one. They use the scores for your course placement, academic advising, scholarship, and financial aid decisions. These are the scores for students who were admitted in 2020 (more current stats are unreliable due to Covid): ACT Score: 27-33 SAT Score (no writing): 1280-1490 GPA*: 3.45-3.92 TOEFL: 103-110 (or IELTS: 7.5 to 8, with a score of at least 6 on all 4 modules) *GPA is based on academic courses only using an unweighted 4.0 scale. My advice: Of course, you’ll want to do as well as you can, but test scores are not the end-all-be-all for admissions. They can weed you out in the first round, but even if you don’t have scores in the ranges listed above, we can work together to make sure the rest of your application is strong, highlighting your other skills and qualities and elevating you above the competition. Extracurriculars UIUC wants to see that you do more than study, as they want students who are involved in their communities. Extracurricular activities are a great way to show that you are more than your academics. They demonstrate what’s important to you, your interests, and dedication to your chosen field of study. My advice: Get involved in something for the long-term so you can develop your leadership skills and deep knowledge in that area. The depth of your experiences is more important than the amount of activities. Find activities where you can grow your leadership and teamwork skills and where you can show your passion for the things you enjoy. Related Experiences These are things that you can do that are related to your chosen field of study but may not be as structured as something you’d do as an extracurricular. Completing other experiences and opportunities shows that you have thought about your major and that you have a good feel for what it actually is all about. My advice: I work with students from the 8th grade and onward. It’s never too early to get involved in anything related to your major. Find a role model or mentor to work with, take classes that are related but not directly tied to your major, or go on a trip/ complete an experience. Do whatever you can to show your motivation and passion for your major and career choice. Essay advice: This is perhaps the most important piece of your application, so you will need to invest a lot of time and effort into your essays. For example, you may be certain that UIUC is your dream school, and you’re confident computer science will be your major, but can you articulate what interests you in the degree, what you’ve done to understand the field, and what you plan to do after graduation? And, more importantly, do you know how to make your story unique? UIUC admissions officers read hundreds of essays every admissions cycle, so it’s tough to make your story stand out, but I can help you with this. You have three options for applying to UIUC in 2021-2022: Common Application, Coalition Application, and myIllini. Regardless of the portal you use, you must respond to two or three short-answer prompts. The 2021-2022 essay topics are: If You're Applying to a Major: In the past 3 to 4 years, what experience(s) have you had (inside or outside of the classroom) related to your selected first-choice major or academic interest? How does your selected first-choice major relate to your future career goals? If You're Applying to the Undeclared Program: What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering. What are your future academic or career goals? If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared): Explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. Your job is to use your essay to answer the following: Why you are interested in your field of study, What you’ve done to deepen your knowledge in your field, and How you will go on to do amazing things after graduation. This may sound easy enough, but admissions officers have read it all and some stories are a dime-a-dozen. While your experience travelling in Africa may have broadened your worldview, or the time you bounced back after a terrible test score may have taught you resilience, these stories are not unique. Over more than a decade working with students, I’ve developed a method to help you make your story unique and attention-grabbing. First, I’ll give you some general advice on each of the questions you can answer and then I’ll explain my method: UIUC Essay Advice UIUC wants to know who you are and get a glimpse into your world. Using specific examples, focused stories, and details will bring your essay to life. Begin your essay by answering the question with an interesting one- to two-sentence anecdote that will grab the reader’s attention. Make it personal and honest so the admissions officers get to know who you are. Or begin with something you’ve learned about yourself from your experiences in your chosen field of study. Let’s say you’ve chosen computer engineering as your major. A lot of students might start with something like, “I have always been passionate about computers…” Boring! Instead, try something like, “The first time I successfully assembled a computer, I learned an important life lesson: everything works together for a greater good.” Then weave this theme throughout your essay. Explain why your chosen major is important to you and how it can expand on that first lesson you learned. Explain why you love it and why it is significant to you. Be detailed and specific. Next, UIUC wants to know what you’ve done to gain an understanding of your major. It’s not enough to have tinkered with computers, but if you’ve gotten involved in engineering clubs, have taught others how to assemble computers, or have participated in amateur engineering competitions, it shows that you’re motivated to learn about the industry and share your experiences with others. Describe what you’ve done in and out of school to expand your knowledge and experiences in your major. Answer why you chose the activities you did and how they have enhanced your knowledge, personality, and understanding of your chosen major. UIUC’s goal is to develop leaders who will have a global impact, so it will be a major plus to your application if you’ve held any leadership roles or have done things that have affected others in a positive way. Use as many specific and personal examples as you can. As the saying goes - the devil is in the details. Finally, the admissions department wants to see that you’ve given your future some thought. Explain how you plan to use your degree from UIUC after graduation, what job or industry you want to pursue, and how you plan to use your degree for the greater good. UIUC values students who will use their degree for innovating new ideas or to make an impact in their community, state, or country. Describe how you will use your degree to make a positive impact in the world or explain how you could use your new knowledge to solve a problem that you see in the world today. My Method to Writing a Memorable Essay The challenge with writing the UIUC essays is that you have just 300 words to get all of these points across. It’s not an easy feat, but I can help you hone your writing to convey everything it needs to make you a memorable candidate. The essay portion is the most important part of your application—you will tell UIUC who you are, why you are unique, and why a degree from UIUC will help you become a leader and make a positive impact in the world. Often, this requires some self-discovery, as the WHY is the key to any successful essay. Here’s the process I follow with every one of my clients: Determine the applicant’s top personal qualities and values - Qualities and values define a person’s sense of self and guide their decision making. Showing (not telling) these in the application essay is the best way to show AOs your “why”, which connects all the parts of your essay. I have guided worksheets to help applicants determine their personal qualities and values; please contact me if they will help you. Brainstorm essay topic ideas Make connections between personal qualities, values and essay topic ideas (who you are) as well as future goals (how you will be a positive addition to the campus / your future career) Pick an essay structure Write the first draft Revise, revise, revise Revise some more General Essay Advice You will also be required to include one additional essay with your application, which will depend on the portal you apply through. Check out these articles for more essay-specific advice. How to Answer the Common Application Prompts So You Stand Out How to Answer the New Common Application Prompt Reverse Outlines: An Advanced Editing Technique to Improve your Application Essays Personal Statement Writing Secrets: 8 Ways to Hook the Reader Pulling it All Together As you can see, there is much more to a successful application to UIUC than just meeting the minimum admissions criteria, and that’s exactly why you need an expert like me to walk you through the entire process. I’ll create a personalized plan that encompasses things like interest strategizing, essay writing guidance and proofreading, and interview prep. Check out my packages, sign up for a free 20 minute consultation, or connect with me directly so we can talk more. I look forward to working with you!

You are a student, a son or daughter, a friend, a talented individual; you have passions, goals, unique qualities, interests; you have learned languages, instruments, academic subjects, artistic mediums. A theme brings the different aspects of you together to tell one cohesive, compelling story. When done correctly, a good theme will add energy to an application, propelling it into the “admit” pile by making it memorable. What is an application theme? A theme is, in one sentence, who you are as a person. Known as an “elevator pitch” in the business world, it summarizes your background and experiences. For example, if you have spent your high school career studying computer science and robotics, and you have a love for the theater, acting in your school plays, your theme might be that you are a high-achieving STEM student who thrives under pressure. Or, with this same background, your theme might be that you are a goal-oriented student who loves projects that demand out-of-the-box thinking. Either way, your theme taps into your academic and personal background to present an overarching idea of who you are as a person. What is your application theme? To find your own theme, think about what defines you. What have you accomplished in your life? What are your unique strengths and interests? How would your friends or family describe you? And where do these different perspectives overlap? If you are still in high school, you have the opportunity to curate your theme. Having an idea of how you will present yourself in your college applications (particularly if you already know what you would like to major in) will guide your course selection, extracurricular involvement, and skill development. This is especially important if you are targeting the Ivy League, as top-tier schools are highly competitive and seek applicants with well-developed profiles. When establishing your theme, ask yourself: ● What are you good at? ● What do you like? ● What skills/interests/qualities will help with admissions? Do you want to know more about positioning yourself for the Ivy League? Watch our free workshop, The World Awaits Strategy: How to Beat the Competition and Attend One of the Best Universities in the United States, to learn: ● The two things you must demonstrate in your application if you want to be admitted into a top-tier institution ● How to put together the 5 most common application materials so you stand apart from the competition If you are nearing the end of high school or are in the midst of creating your college applications, do not fret that it’s too late to curate a theme. Instead, work backward to position yourself as the kind of applicant the Ivy League wants using your academic and personal background as support. Write down how you want to present yourself, then determine how your high school courses, achievements, interests, and goals come together to reinforce your focus. Application theme ideas The most common themes revolve around an applicant’s major, field of study, or career goals; however, other frameworks are powerful too. Whether you know what you will study in college or are entering undecided, some other strong theme ideas include: leadership, relationships, and overcoming challenges. By using a personal quality as a theme, you are able to immediately show admissions officers that you have what they’re looking for. Everyone has a theme. I walk my clients through a multi-step process to help them discover and craft their unique narratives, and below you will see one of the first steps we take in identifying the framework we will use for their applications. For some clients, the top quality (or two) identified through this brainstorming activity will become their theme. For others, the quality or qualities will be woven into their themes to add depth to their applications. Once you have identified your theme, you will infuse it into all of the application materials. For some ideas on how to do this, watch our free workshop (The World Awaits Strategy: How to Beat the Competition and Attend One of the Best Universities in the United States) or reach out to work with World Awaits directly. 👉👉 If you’re interested in working with World Awaits, reach out and say “hi”! We’ll arrange a free 20-minute advisory session to jumpstart your college journey.

Earning admission into a top MBA program is not only limited to a strong GPA and high GMAT scores — a strong profile is equally important. Business schools (B-schools) assess an applicant’s strengths and achievements beyond academics, and you must develop (and appropriately present) these to give admissions committees certainty that you will be a positive addition to their team. This means not only developing a strong profile, but identifying and minimizing weaknesses in your existing background and skill set. Here are 5 things you can do RIGHT NOW to improve the skills, achievements, and expertise you present to your target B-schools. Boost your GMAT score — If you’ve completed or nearly-completed your undergraduate degree, you no longer have control over your GPA. To demonstrate academic prowess, you must ace your GMAT score. So hunker down with a study plan and practice, practice, practice. Don’t hesitate to take the exam two or three times — it’s worth the extra time and money to reach your top score. Take career-focused courses or certification courses — Demonstrate to admissions committees that you are committed to your career growth by taking online courses or certification courses. Consider Coursera and MOOCs. In addition to showing that you are already working toward your goals, these courses will improve your business knowledge and familiarity, subsequently elevating your application materials. Take on or find challenging work projects — Whether you are currently working, interning, volunteering, or waiting to begin B-school, you can boost your profile by tackling challenging projects. The best predictor of future success is past performance. By taking on new or difficult tasks, you show admissions committees that you: 1) Are capable of handling ambitious projects, 2) Are committed to your personal growth, and 3) Are a high-achiever and self-starter. Attend conferences — By attending conferences in your field, you will gain a deeper understanding of your industry, such as how it works or what is new in the field — which, again, will enhance your essays and interview. Conferences will also help you grow your network. Develop your credibility online — Create a LinkedIn profile, share your knowledge through LinkedIn articles, a blog, or videos. Having a following will help to differentiate you from your competition, as well as demonstrate your willingness to contribute to others. Once you have developed your b-school profile, it’s time to present in a way that highlights your skills, achievements, and expertise — all while aligning with each of your target programs. World Awaits is here to make sure your applications are set up the correct way so you receive offers from all of your top-choice schools. Reach out to us today to set up a free advisory session to discuss how you will reach your ultimate potential.

You have so many interesting stories to share with the world — but sometimes it’s hard to find them. This is especially so when you feel pressured to impress the reader in only a few hundred words. But don’t fret! I’ve put together a list of 15 prompts to help find a compelling personal statement topic. Personal Statement Prompts What is your superpower? What is the best, worst, or weirdest thing that happened to you on a trip? When have you experienced personal failure? And what did you learn from it? What makes you happy? What is your most precious possession? What has been your toughest decision? What is your personal credo? What do you bring to a relationship? What right of passage(s) have you been through? What are you terrible at but love to do anyway? What is an experience that is unresolved? What are you learning right now? What is your favorite book, movie, or song? Why? What keeps you up at night? What is the first thing you think about when you wake up? Spend 15 minutes per day answering one of these prompts. Add setting, sensory details, feelings, and dialogue so that the reader can see, feel, and understand your story as though they are experiencing it themselves. Not only will doing so help you find a topic, but getting in the habit of writing — especially about yourself — will help you when you write your college application personal statement. More Resources The 5 Most Common Personal Statement Mistakes How to Answer the Common Application Prompts So You Stand Out Personal Statement Writing Secrets: 8 Ways to Hook the Reader Do you want one-on-one help with your personal statement? Contact World Awaits, and together we will shape a memorable, compelling essay to impress any college admissions officer.

Let’s face it: writing can be challenging - especially when it’s in a second (or third or fourth) language. Even the best writers experience writers block, get stuck writing and re-writing the same sentence, and need help finding just the right words for their situation. Using the right writing tools can help you create masterpieces. Here are X of our favorites. Thesaurus Words have power. A thesaurus, when used correctly, will help you identify stronger word choices than you might be able to come up with on your own. For example, you might describe your hometown as being nestled in a large forest. While this descriptor is fine, the adjectives sprawling or awe-inspiring might be more illuminating. Just be careful to avoid thesaurizing, or substituting simple words with obscure ones to sound smart. Twords “The web app that nudges you to write.” To help you stay on top of your writing requirements and habits, Twords tracks how much you write daily and monthly, encouraging you to write frequently. It also provides users with timers, writing prompts, and articles on writing to help those who get stuck. EasyBib Tired of research how to properly cite your sources in MLA, APA, or Chicago style? This bibliography generator will do it for you. Grammarly Grammarly identifies spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as offers writing suggestions to improve concision, clarity, and tone - all for free. The premium version also provides vocabulary suggestions to improve word choice, offers style improvements, and checks for plagiarism. Pomodoro Tracker MindMup Create unlimited mind maps. This resource is especially helpful for students who despise outlining, as it allows writers to visually plan out their ideas in a format that works for them, and it can be used for any type of writing assignment.