"So What?"

Here's a pro tip: The most important part of any application essay prompt is usually SILENT.

For any essay prompt, you need to tack on a "So what?" at the end.

As in:

Why is this information you're giving in this essay meaningful? Why does it matter?

I emphasized this point recently in a webinar I gave for one of our partner high schools, and the AP English teacher who runs the college counseling class for their seniors emailed me afterwards:

hearing you talk about the "SO WHAT" was very important. The analysis part is always lacking in student writing, and trying to explain to students how important it is not to just list items without explaining why they matter is tough. It was great to hear it from you and to be able to point and say, "See - she said it!"

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?? News You Can Use

1 - Most students who want to transfer colleges don't: Here's how to start. (NPR podcast)

2 - Colleges that take enrollment of veterans seriously: Wick Sloane's annual survey is out, and it's a doozie. He also has some nice words for Service to School, a non-profit I co-founded over a decade ago. If you're a veteran interested in pursuing education, check out their free help and mentorship for your college applications.

3 - Give yourself a year of runway for the FAFSA. Yes, I know the FAFSA is annoying. If you're planning on starting college in fall 2022, ideally you'd need to start working on the FAFSA (and any other financial aid docs) a full year in advance. Start now if you haven't already.

?? My Favorite Things This Week

1 - “Ji-Young” making history as the first Asian American muppet on Sesame Street: She will be formally introduced Thanksgiving Day on HBO Max in a special featuring Simu Liu, Padma Lakshmi, and Naomi Osaka. My Korean American goddaughters will approve.

2 - White People Explain Racism to Me: This piece by Elie Mystal got me thinking, hard. Thank you, Elie.

3 - Film director Cameron Crowe introducing one of his favorite movies, Harold and Maude, which turns 40 this year: I first saw this movie when I was in high school! When I was in the theater last week, the person sitting next to me was a mom who had brought her 16-year-old son to see it for the first time. I bet they had some interesting conversations on the way home...

?? Quote of the Week

To some, academic writing often implies impersonal writing, writing that is detached, distant, and lacking in personal meaning or relevance. However, this is often not true of the academic writing you will do in a composition class. Here your presence as a writer—your thoughts, experiences, ideas, and therefore who you are—is of much significance to the writing you produce. In fact, it would not be farfetched to say that in a writing class academic writing often begins with personal writing.

From Critical Thinking in College Writing: From the Personal to the Academic by Gita DasBender

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