This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

College Application Essays - Avoid the Stress

Mistakes #1) Writing about academic accomplishments.

a) Deja Vu: These accomplishments are on the student’s transcripts. The admissions officer already knows your teen achieved high marks in twelve AP classes.

b) Birds of a feather flock together: Remember your son’s best friend when they were in the 6th grade? They drifted apart in high school once your son started getting straight A’s and his friend ended up on America’s Most Wanted. They aren’t applying to the same schools. On the other hand, everyone who is has similar or identical academic accomplishments as your son.

Similar Classes / Similar Grades / Similar Test Scores / Similar Extra Curricular Activities: President of Physics Club, Class President, Swim Team Captain, 1st Violin in School Orchestra, Yearbook Editor, Mathletes Captain, 1000 hours of community service.

c) Blind date: Seldom does a blind date work out. My parents met on a blind date. After years of therapy, I’m still angry at the person who set them up! Academic accomplishments don’t tell the school anything about your teen as a PERSON….as an INDIVIDUAL.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I will be presenting a FREE workshop on the Top Five Mistakes Students Make on their College

Application Essays at each of the following libraries, PTAs and organizations. (Pre-registration is strongly advised. Please call the library or other organization if you wish to attend)

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I am also available to speak at YOUR organization. Did I mention it’s FREE?

Lake Success Jewish Center April  7     

Sea Cliff Village Library April 10  

Northport Library – April 21

Smithtown Public Library April 28    

Harborfields Public Library April 29   

Great Neck Library May 5

Rockville Centre Public Library May 15

Randy Levin is the ONLY college application essay adviser asked to speak at the National College Fair- Nassau Coliseum. The Guidance Dept and English Dept of Half Hollow Hills HS brought Randy into the classroom to speak directly to students. He has a MA in English and a MFA in Creative Writing. He is a published writer and former high school English teacher. For FREE information, go to his website: WriteToCollege.com


We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?