College Admission Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Showing Colleges Who You Are and What Matters to You

by Ethan Sawyer

Overview

The college admissions guide that helps you stand out—by showing who you really are.

Stressed about essays, activity lists, or interviews? College Admission Essentials by Ethan Sawyer (aka The College Essay Guy) is the go-to roadmap for building an authentic, standout application—without the burnout.

This isn't about spinning your resume. It's about discovering what matters most to you and expressing it clearly, powerfully, and persuasively.

Inside, you'll get:

• Step-by-step strategies from top counselors and admissions experts
• Proven brainstorming tools like the Core Values and Essence Objects exercises
• Help writing unforgettable personal statements and supplements
• Advice tailored for all students—first-gen, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, veterans, and more
• Links to 100+ online tools, timelines, and sample essays

Whether you're just starting your journey or finalizing your applications, this book delivers structure, confidence, and clarity. It's packed with the same practical, values-driven guidance that's earned Ethan Sawyer praise from thousands of students, parents, and educators.

If you want a college application that feels like you—and works—this is your guide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492678830
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	07/21/2020
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ethan Sawyer is a nationally recognized college essay expert and sought-after speaker. Each year he helps thousands of students and counselors through his online courses, workshops, articles, products, and books, and works privately with a small number of students.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

The Inciting Incident ix

Why This Book and Who I Am xi

The Treasure Trove xiii

Housekeeping xiv

Gratitude xiv

Part I What Admission Officers Want to Know xvii

Chapter 1 How to Discover and Connect with What You Care about in Twenty Minutes 1

Part II Ninth Grade to Eleventh Grade Essentials 9

Chapter 2 High School Essentials 11

Chapter 3 ACT and SAT Essentials 22

Part III Essentials before You Apply 39

Chapter 4 How to Create a Balanced College List 41

Chapter 5 Early Decision and Early Action 67

Chapter 6 Demonstrated Interest 73

Part IV The College Application 81

Chapter 7 Adrian's Brainstorming Exercises 83

Chapter 8 Essential Application Prework 91

Chapter 9 How to Up-Level Your Activities List in Thirty Minutes (and Why You Should) 107

Chapter 10 How to Write the Additional Information Section 126

Part V The Personal Statement 141

Chapter 11 How to Write a Personal Statement That Matters 143

Part VI The Supplemental Essays 181

Chapter 12 Creating Your Supplemental Essay Tracker 183

Chapter 13 The Super Essay (Combining Essay Prompts to Write Better Essays in Less Time) 186

Chapter 14 How to Write the "Why Us?" Essay 196

Chapter 15 How to Write the Extracurricular Activity Essay 222

Chapter 16 How to Write the "Why Major?" Essay 241

Chapter 17 The Dos and Don'ts of the Short Answers 249

Part VII The Other Parts of the Application Process 255

Chapter 18 How to Get Great Letters of Recommendation 257

Chapter 19 How to Do the College Interview 267

Part VIII How to Make Sure Your Application Is Doing Its Job 275

Chapter 20 The Values Scan 277

Part IX More Resources for More Students 291

Chapter 21 Artists 293

Chapter 22 Athletes 302

Chapter 23 International Students 306

Chapter 24 Homeschoolers 309

Chapter 25 Students Interested in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) 315

Chapter 26 First-Generation and Low-Income Students 322

Chapter 27 Undocumented Students 331

Chapter 28 Students with Learning Differences 334

Chapter 29 LGBTQ+ Students 339

Chapter 30 Self-Directed Students 343

Chapter 31 Transfer Students 353

Chapter 32 Veterans 357

Chapter 33 Students Interested in Women's Colleges 361

Part X After You Apply 365

Chapter 34 How to Write a Great Letter of Continued Interest 367

Chapter 35 How Senioritis Can Earn You a "Fear of God" Letter 371

Part XI After You're Accepted 375

Chapter 36 Financial Aid Awards, and How to Write a Financial Aid Award Appeal Letter 377

Chapter 37 How to Decide Where to Attend 390

Chapter 38 What to Do If You're Not Accepted Anywhere 393

A Final Request 395

Appendix and Additional Resources 397

College Planning Timeline (a.k.a. What Should I Be Doing Right Now?) 399

Additional Resources for Students, Counselors, and Teachers 409

About the Author 411