The Story is You: Crafting an Unforgettable Application Essay

Your grades and test scores are the 'what'. Your application essay is the 'who' and the 'why'. It's the single most powerful tool you have to transform your application from a collection of statistics into a compelling story. At Ajax Scholars, we've read, written, and workshopped countless essays. Here's our insider's guide to writing one that gets you noticed.

Rule #1: Show, Don't Tell

This is the oldest rule in the book for a reason. Don't just tell the admissions committee you're a leader; describe the time you took charge of a failing project and turned it around. Don't just say you're passionate about coding; talk about the thrill of debugging a complex problem at 2 a.m. Use vivid details and specific anecdotes to bring your experiences to life.

Rule #2: Find Your Unique Angle

Admissions officers read thousands of essays about winning the big game or the life-changing volunteer trip. To stand out, you need to find a unique angle. Think smaller. Some of the best essays are about seemingly mundane moments that reveal something profound about your character. What have you learned from your part-time job? How has your perspective changed from a conversation with a grandparent? These are the stories that are uniquely yours.

Rule #3: Be Authentic and Vulnerable

Don't try to be the 'perfect' applicant you think they want to see. The best essays are authentic. They reveal your personality, your quirks, and even your failures. Writing about a time you struggled and what you learned from it can be far more powerful than a story about effortless success. Vulnerability shows maturity and self-awareness—two qualities that are highly valued in a university environment.

Rule #4: Edit, Edit, Edit

Your first draft is just the beginning. A winning essay is polished and refined. Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing. Ask a teacher or mentor for feedback. Check for grammar and spelling errors relentlessly. A sloppy essay signals that you don't care, and that's the last impression you want to make.

Your essay is your voice. We're here to help you make sure it's heard loud and clear.