Duke, Brown, Rice Weigh in on the College Essay 

 

Christoph Guttentag, the dean of undergraduate admissions at Duke University, acknowledges that the essay may be the most difficult part of the application. 

The application essay is often the most difficult part of the application, Duke's Guttentag says.

"Most students have not had a chance to do that kind of writing," Guttentag said during the National Association for College Admission Counseling's annual conference in Denver held earlier this month.

 

"By the time it comes to us, many of them have gone through so many hands that the essays are sanitized. I wish I saw more of a thoughtful voice of a 17-year-old."

 

Wow Writing Workshop's team of application essay writing coaches interviewed dozens of college admissions experts about the importance of the college application essay during the NACAC conference. Read more.