Turning Rejection into Opportunity: A Guide for High School Seniors to Revise Essays for the Regular Decision Round
Written by Brandon, Brown University
Facing rejection from your Early Action or Early Decision applications can be disheartening, but it’s important to remember that this setback can also serve as a valuable learning experience. Instead of rushing to submit new applications for the Regular Decision round, take the time to deliberately and thoughtfully review your early essays. This process will not only help you identify areas for improvement but also allow you to craft stronger, more compelling narratives that resonate with admissions officers. Here’s how to approach this revision process step by step.
Step 1: Reflect on Feedback and Rejections
Before diving into revisions, take a moment to reflect on your early application experience. If you received any feedback from admissions officers or your college counselor, consider it carefully. Even if no specific feedback was provided, think critically about your application as a whole.
Questions to Consider:
What aspects of my essays felt authentic and true to my voice?
Were there any themes or stories that seemed particularly weak or generic?
Did I effectively convey my passion and interest in the schools I applied to?
Taking the time to reflect on these questions will help you understand what worked and what didn’t in your early submissions.
Step 2: Review Each Essay Thoroughly
Now that you’ve reflected on your experiences, it’s time to review each of your early action and early decision essays in detail. Approach this task with a critical eye, focusing on both content and structure.
Content Review:
Authenticity: Does the essay reflect who you are? Are you sharing personal stories that genuinely represent your experiences?
Specificity: Are there vague statements or clichés that could be replaced with specific examples? Admissions officers appreciate unique narratives over generic responses.
Alignment with Your Goals: Does the essay align with your intended major or career path? Ensure that your writing connects back to your academic interests and future aspirations.
Demonstrated Interest: Have I effectively communicated my enthusiasm for the school? This can be done by mentioning specific programs, faculty members, or campus initiatives that excite you. Demonstrated interest can set you apart from other applicants with similar qualifications.
Structure Review:
Clarity: Is your main message clear? Each essay should have a central theme that is easy for readers to grasp.
Flow: Does the essay transition smoothly from one idea to the next? Ensure that each paragraph logically leads into the next.
Conclusion: Does your conclusion leave a lasting impression? It should tie back to your main theme and reflect on how your experiences have shaped you.
Step 3: Seek Constructive Feedback
Once you’ve reviewed your essays, seek feedback from trusted individuals who can provide constructive criticism. This could include teachers, college counselors, or family members who understand the college application process.
What to Ask For:
Specific suggestions for improvement in terms of content and clarity.
Insights into whether your personality comes through in the writing.
Feedback on whether the essays effectively convey your passion for the intended major or school.
Comments on how well you demonstrated interest in the institution through your writing.
Be open-minded about the feedback you receive; constructive criticism can be invaluable in refining your essays.
Step 4: Rewrite with Purpose
Armed with insights from your reflections and feedback, it’s time to rewrite your essays. Approach this process deliberately and with purpose.
Set Clear Goals: For each essay, identify what you want to achieve. Whether it’s showcasing resilience, demonstrating leadership, or expressing passion for a subject, keep these goals in mind as you write.
Draft New Content: Don’t hesitate to start fresh if necessary. Sometimes, a complete rewrite can yield better results than trying to salvage an existing draft. Focus on crafting engaging narratives that highlight your unique experiences.
Incorporate Specific Examples: Use specific anecdotes that illustrate key points about yourself. This not only makes your essays more engaging but also helps admissions officers remember you.
Highlight Demonstrated Interest: Make sure to weave in details about why you're excited about each school specifically. Mentioning unique programs or opportunities shows that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in attending.
Step 5: Finalize and Proofread
After rewriting your essays, take time to finalize them. This includes thorough proofreading for grammar, punctuation, and clarity.
Read Aloud: Reading your essays aloud can help catch awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.
Check for Consistency: Ensure that all essays reflect a consistent tone and style while remaining true to each prompt.
Get a Final Round of Feedback: Before submitting, consider getting one last round of feedback from someone who hasn’t seen the latest drafts. Fresh eyes can catch mistakes you might have overlooked.
Step 6: Submit with Confidence
Once you’ve completed all revisions and proofreading, it’s time to submit your applications for the Regular Decision round. Approach this final step with confidence in the work you've put into refining your essays.
Conclusion
While rejection from Early Action or Early Decision applications can feel discouraging, it also presents an opportunity for growth and improvement. By taking the time to deliberately review and revise your essays, you can craft compelling narratives that better showcase who you are as an applicant. Remember that each essay is a chance to tell your story—make sure it’s one worth telling! With thoughtful revisions and authentic representation of yourself—alongside a clear demonstration of interest—you'll be well-prepared for success in the Regular Decision round. Good luck!
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