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Now available Fiske Interactive and Financial Fit


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College Admissions Essays

Colleges use admissions essays to try to get a better understanding of who you are and what your personality is like. It’s a way for the admissions officer to find out whether you would be a good fit for the college.

Different colleges put different weights on each part of the application, but the essay is something that you have complete control over. You can use your essay to show your creativity, your compassion, your dedication, whatever you want.

The best essays come from high school students being themselves, with all the depth, wit, charm, and quirkiness that comes along with daily life. In Fiske Real College Essays That Work, Edward Fiske and Bruce Hammond show you how to write your best essay, with 109 real college admissions essays written by students who were accepted and insider tips and advice on great openers and closers, editing your essay, top mistakes, and much more.

Need Help with Your Essay?

Read about what you want to show and want you want to avoid.

Fiske's essay topic brainstorming ideas

The importance of the opening paragraph

How to avoid the five ways to shoot yourself in the foot

Fiske's tips for editing your essays

Can I use the same essay for more than one application?

About College Countdown

We make going to college easier! We bring together cutting-edge tools and resources from America’s top going-to-college experts to help you achieve your goals and dreams.

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Featured Expert

FrankPalmasani2

Frank Palmasani is the creator of the Financial Fit Program. He has helped more than 200,000 families keep college affordable.

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Featured Tool

MyFinancialFit Icon1With the Financial Fit Program, you will learn how to find colleges you can afford, get advice on filing your financial aid documents, and much more.

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