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Health & Fitness

College Application Essays - Avoid the Stress

Don't forget....I'll be speaking at the Commack JCC on March 18th

2013 Changes to the Common Application Essay confirm what I’ve been saying for YEARS!!!

No longer an option: “Topic of your choice”
My advice for years: Problematic: Comparing your life to the phases of the moon is pretentious and doesn’t tell me anything about you as a person.

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No longer an option: “A person who has had a significant influence on you”
My advice for years: Problematic: Your grandfather isn’t applying to the college…you are. Writing about his amazing life as a secret agent working undercover as a circus clown and earning his PhD in his spare time all while fighting a debilitating disease might get him on an Oprah Special but it isn’t getting YOU into college.

No longer an option: “An issue of personal, local, national or international concern to you”
My advice for years: Problematic: Describing the “hardships” you experienced while cleaning up the polluted beaches in Costa Rica tells me that your family can afford an exotic vacation and you have a great tan.

Find out what's happening in Commackwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New Options:

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

My advice for years: They want to know who you are as a person: Not as a student, an athlete, a scientist or a philanthropist. These questions will get to the heart of YOU as a human being…not as a reflection of your transcripts.

In the weeks and months ahead I will help you understand in more detail what is expected and how to set yourself apart from the other candidates.

I will be presenting a FREE workshop on the Top Five Mistakes Students Make on their College

Application Essays at each of the following libraries, PTAs and organizations. (Pre-registration is strongly advised. Please call the library or other organization if you wish to attend)

I am also available to speak at YOUR organization. Did I mention it’s FREE?

Half Hollow Hills Community Library March 6  

Plainedge Public Library March 11 

Commack JCC March 18  

Oceanside Public Library March 20  

Jericho Public Library   March 24  

Bellmore Memorial Library – March 27

Syosset Public Library March 31  

Port Jefferson Library   April  2        

Lake Success Jewish Center April  7     

Sea Cliff Village Library April 10  

Northport Library – April 21

Smithtown Public Library April 28    

Harborfields Public Library April 29   

Great Neck Library May 5

Rockville Centre Public Library May 15

Randy Levin is the ONLY college application essay adviser asked to speak at the National College Fair- Nassau Coliseum. The Guidance Dept and English Dept of Half Hollow Hills HS brought Randy into the classroom to speak directly to students. He has a MA in English and a MFA in Creative Writing. He is a published writer and former high school English teacher. For FREE information, go to his website: WriteToCollege.com
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