Navigating the College

Admissions Essay: Pitfalls and Promise

Steven Engel, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Tim Green, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Gary Wiener, Pittsford Central Schools, New York

Acceptable Identities: Two Stories

Robert and Harriet

RobertSuccessful studentTalented athleteEssay on a difficult decision and the lessons learnedCentered on leaving team to focus on personal goalsMy view vs. his view

Harriet Solid student Literary magazine editor Theater Volunteered Model UN

Harriet

I was the youngest in the group by far, and perhaps not the most conventional of twelve year-olds. Instead of spending summer at the beach, I was studying and performing Shakespeare. But my age didn’t matter; I was warmly welcomed. From my first moment there, I could tell that Front Porch Theater was different, wrapped in an air of magic unlike anything I had experienced before.

Shape-Shifting Portfolio People “A person today is invited to see him or

herself as a portfolio of skills, experiences, and achievements, something like a walking résumé.” (Gee, 2006).

Working-class students: social, affective, dialogic world of

interaction Upper-middle-class students:

information, knowledge, argumentation, and achievements built out of these

Background of the college essay Ivy League admissions in 1920s Designed to capture applicant's

“character” In response to Big Three's concern

about the “Jewish Problem” (Karabel, 2005).

Number of Colleges Using the Common Application

Common Application

More than a writing test Emotional test Cultural test Identity test Writing test

Emotional

Cultural

“Turns”

Identity

Expression and

Organization

Gee, 2003; Newkirk, 1997; Ferdman, 1990; Paley, 1996

Implications