Write Out Loud: Use the Story To College Method, Write Great Application Essays, and Get into Your Top Choice College

As a college admissions consultant in private practice, I guide students of all abilities toward finding “best fit” colleges which meet their needs academically, socially and emotionally. Once appropriate schools are identified and visited, students then embark on the arduous task of filling out applications.Almost universally, it is the writing of the onerous “college essay” that has most students uncertain and concerned, with good reason: grades, standardized test scores and activies lists, while crucial parts of any application, do not necessarily give admissions decision makers a sense of the personality or essence of a student. Essays are the one opportunity students have to SPEAK to admissions officers, letting their personality shine through.Most students do not automatically realize that well-crafted essays like the ones written for school assignments do NOT, as a rule, win admissions officers over. It is a compelling STORY, WRITTEN IN THE STUDENT’S OWN VOICE (as opposed to over-edited by anxious adults), that really helps a student’s application shine. Specific insights and feelings, well-told in the form of situations or vignettes…stories that make the writer MEMORABLE to the reader…can often tip the scales toward “admit.”Even my most gifted and talented students, all of whom ultimately gain acceptance to top-notch colleges, are not necessarily gifted writers by nature. And not all students have access to the individualized attention of a private consultant like me.Thanks to Carol Barash’s wonderful new book Write Out Loud, the myths and mistakes around application essay-writing are clearly explained and remedied, leveling the playing field for all. Dr. Barash does an outstanding job – with heart and passion – of demystifying the college essay-writing process, even extending her message to life-long writing tasks such as resume preparation. A gifted writer herself, Dr. Barash’s book (part narrative, part workbook) is the quintessential guide to transforming formulaic writing into memorable, compelling prose.Sandra J. Eller, Ph.D., Less Stress College Admissions Consulting[...]

I purchased this for my high school senior son, and he gives it a thumbs up. He has stressed over writing college admissions essays, claiming he has nothing to say. What I - and he! - like about this is that it's a workbook and it forces him to think about his life and experience in a way that he can discover things to write about. Colleges want to know who you are, what you will bring to their campus, and what they can do for you. This book helps kids write essays that address those three elements. Here's hoping the boy gets accepted by his college of choice!

As a College Counselor, I've used this book with my seniors for the last few years to great success. It offers really good advice at how to get them to think more deeply about their essays, and easy steps to follow to help them dig deep.

I read this book as my older daughter is preparing to begin the college application process. I do wish I (& she) had read it earlier than now. That being said, it was enormously helpful in explaining what admissions officers are looking for (as opposed to what they most often receive). I highly recommend this book!

I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Barash speak at the HECA conference, in Portland this summer and was blown away by her expertise, humor and candor. I immediately bought her book and enjoyed reading it. I am now much better armed to serve my students as we all enter into essay hell!

Great book! Will be passing on and recommending to friends with kids coming of age to need it. If I had learned about the author sooner I would have sent my kids to NY for a workshop!

A Must for English teachers, Counselors and Education Consultants. Even parents guiding students through college essays. However students rarely find useful.

Will be using for my junior student.