Grad’s Guide to Graduate Admissions Essays: Examples from Real Students Who Got into Top Schools

by Colleen Reding, Colleen Reding Mearn

Grads’ Guide to Graduate Admissions Essays provides more than 50 successful admission essays straight from the source--recent college graduates making the transition to earning advanced degrees at highly selective graduate programs. Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and Northwestern are just a few of the universities to which these students were admitted. Each of the essays contains designated segments highlighting the particular characteristics that make them outstanding admissions essays. Additionally, the essays are interspersed with segments labeled “Writer’s Words of Wisdom,” which contain statements from the author of the particular essay with advice on the admissions process. By offering guidance from successful graduate school applicants, readers can glean advice from a variety of perspectives, while still obtaining the critical information as it relates to well-written essays for programs within a variety of fields including law, business, medicine, education, and humanities.

Genres: Self Help, Writing

225 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Colleen Reding grew up in Mt. Prospect, IL, and became a proud member of Georgetown University's Class of 2010. Colleen gained acceptance to her first choice program for graduate study at Harvard University and credits her admission with the outstanding examples of admissions essays from her Georgetown classmates.

Reviews

[Dhruvina Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

has very good key points

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for helping me get into grad school!

[Marsha Altman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It says you should read the sections that don't apply to you (based on what type of grad school program you're applying to), but you really don't need to.

[Julie Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read three books at this point on Personal Statements and grad school, and I think so far this one is my favorite. It offered plenty of examples, but also offered advice from students and graduate admissions. What I really liked about this one though, is that while it was very detailed, it also offered small little facts and advice along the side of the pages and I loved that.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free from Goodreads:

Well written, well researched and a handy tool if you wish to apply to university either here in USA or abroad.

I personally never realized you had to write an essay just to get accepted to university, so these were an eye opener for me.

I love the fact they are actual essays that were written, submitted and gained the writer a place at university.

It shows you clearly what the university and course chosen are looking for.

It is split into several chapters exploring several courses in various universities in USA and abroad, St Andrews Uni in Scotland being one.

An invaluable aid for those wishing to wite an essay for University acceptance.

[Mary Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grad’s Guide to Graduate Admissions Essays is a gem among other graduate admissions books. Not only do these essays serve as exemplary models written by actual graduate students accepted to some of the world’s most prestigious and selective graduate programs, but Ms. Reding’s honest comments and insightful tips, along with the “Writer’s Words of Wisdom” tidbits, will help any prospective student through the daunting process of graduate admissions. I highly recommend for anyone considering applying to grad school as it has been an especially helpful tool for me.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're in the process of applying to grad schools and looking for help in honing your admissions essay to perfection, or you're still on the fence about applying and looking for some inspiration to take the plunge, the Grad's Guide is a great read. A wide range of real (and successful) essays are included, along with astute observations from the author helping you figure out what made each one successful in its own unique way, and how you can incorporate those attributes into your own writing. Enjoy, and good luck in grad school and beyond.

[Marcus Kuhnert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found Grad’s Guide to Graduate Admissions Essays to be a useful and efficient tool for navigating the essay writing process for graduate admissions. The collection of essays from successful grad students and tips from the author get right to the point to explain what is necessary to draft my own graduate essay.

[Kme_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a first read I found this a interesting read. These are actual essay written from people that got in to various grad schools. I liked that they had a range of schools and degrees here. A definite good book to look at if you are trying to go to grad school.

[Mills College Library]

378.161 R317 2015