How can I stand out?

This is the No. 1 question from high school seniors writing their college essays who contact me for coaching. They want a wow essay, not a meh one.

Here are solutions from five metro Atlanta students I worked with, whose before-and-after essays are in the new book: “Writing Tools for the College Admissions Essay: Write Your Way into the School of Your Dreams.” Their opening lines (hooks) kept college admission officers reading, and bold endings made their stories hard to forget.

Braeden Harris (Midtown High School/Kennesaw State University)

Meh: Braeden wrote about lessons from a sports injury. Because this is such a common topic, his essay wouldn’t stand out.

Wow: Braeden rewove his story around using a concept from a business class to fight for himself amid fami

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