The Great College Essay Test

Read your essay aloud, or have someone else read it aloud, then ask the questions here.

Markers for Effectiveness

Core Values

(aka information)

Can you name at least 4-5 of the author’s core values? Do you detect a variety of values, or do the values repeat?

Examples of NOT varied values: hard work, determination, perseverance

Examples of more varied values: autonomy, resourcefulness, healthy boundaries, diversity

Vulnerability

Does the essay sound like it’s mostly analytical or like it’s coming from a deeper, more vulnerable place?

Another way of asking this: Does it sound like the author wrote it using mostly his or her head (intellect) or his or her heart and gut?

After reading the essay, do you know more about the author AND feel closer to him or her?

“So what” moments

(aka Important & interesting connections)

Can you identify at least 3-5 “so what” moments of insight in the essay?

Are these moments kind of predictable, or are they truly illuminating?

Craft

Do the ideas in the essay connect in a way that is logical, but not too obvious (aka boring)?

Can you tell that the essay represents a series of carefully considered choices and that the author spent a lot of time revising the essay over the course of several drafts?

Is it interesting and succinct throughout? If not, where do you lose interest?

Where could words be cut or which part isn’t revealing as much as it could be?

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Credit:

The College Essay Guy⁠

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Markers for Effectiveness

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*The Great College Essay Test*

Markers for Effectiveness

Core Values

Vulnerability

“So what” moments

Craft

The Great College Essay Test