Question: I got every essay finished, except #1. Could you possibly, kindly share some idea with me on how to approach this essay? Answer: If I'm not mistaken, you are talking about the "what matters most" essay. Look within yourself. Only you know what to write about yourself. I've talked to many people about their applications (both Chinese and Americans). People either spent little time (several hours or several days) because they know precisely what they want to say, or a lot of time (several weeks to several months) because they know what they want to say but it's so hard to get it out, especially in a clear, concise, and convincing way. The key here is the question itself. Just what exactly matters to you the most and why. (Hint: Something that you value more than anything, including the school application itself. Something you've thought long and hard about. Something close to your heart. Something that has guided your decisions and even your life. Something that you are proud of.) If you think you know what it is, tell a story to back it up. That's it. Of course, if you can make it engaging and fun to read, that's even better. The rest is luck. |