Dear Friend,
I love looking out over the winter landscape when I am seated in my warm office! Ironically, rural Oklahoma is much greener during the winter than in any other season. The window in front of me as I write frames an emerald sea of young wheat stretching to the horizon. The cold, crisp sky is a vivid blue. While the trees are startlingly bare and annual plants dried up and dead, new life is abundant all around. Perhaps that is why the meaning of Christmas is so amazing. In the midst of our winter - death, misery, and sin - a baby was born that would offer us new life.
During the dismal winter weather, facing the recession, feeling the frantic rush of the season, I hope you will remember that there is abundant life and hope to be found in that baby born at Christmas so many years ago.
Merry Christmas!
Jeannette
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Feature Article: The Elusive College Essay
Perhaps more than most, Christians should appreciate the power of the written word. Clyde Kilby, formerly a Wheaton College English professor asks the question:
"Does it make any difference that the Book we look upon as holy comes to us in literary form rather than in the form of abstract doctrine or systematic theology? Christianity is the most literary religion in the world - a religion in which Word has special sanctity."
It is important that we learn to use our words well in communicating with the others. Too many students forget this in the mad scramble to complete college applications and lose a great opportunity to sell themselves. I think the essay is one of the weakest areas I see in my consulting and it is a joy to help students learn to persuasively communicate their story.
The college essay is potentially the most powerful tool your student has to help the admissions committee understand who he is and what he can contribute to the school. He must always keep this in mind during the writing process.
The basic purpose of the essay is to provide framework for the impersonal numbers and activities found in the application. You don't just list them again! The essay must be a part of your marketing efforts, fleshing out an aspect of your life that you want the admissions office to know about.
Your student will have the option of longer essays (usually around 500 words) that can communicate her passion and display her writing skills. She will also have short answer questions to communicate another aspect of her candidacy. Both must be carefully written.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
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Answer the question. You would be surprised how many kids write a great essay that doesn't answer the basic question. They must always come back to the topic.
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Stay personal regardless of the question. The truth of the matter is that the admissions officer doesn't really care about your student's favorite book or hero. They want to know why they like the book, how it has changed them, how they see differently or act differently because of having read it. They want to understand why someone is their hero. Keep the focus on the student.
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Write "slice of life" essays that deal with a single incident or theme. Your student can't cover the waterfront here.
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Write for someone specific, as it will be more personal and interesting.
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Recycle well-done essays carefully. It makes great sense to re-use well written and carefully vetted essays as much as possible. However, make sure your student doesn't just tack on a new ending to answer the prompt. Sometimes they have to be massaged a great deal to really fit another question.
I know college deadlines are looming, but take extreme care with this great opportunity to share a unique aspect of your candidacy. It can pay huge dividends!
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It's Here!
 I'm thrilled to announce that my new book is now available at our website! Called to Influence: A New Approach to Life, Education and College Admissions is finished and looks beautiful. It contains four years of articles that my son, Austin, and I have written for Practical Homeschooling magazine and has something for everyone. We tackle much more than getting into college. In fact, the contents run the gamut from kindergarten to training leaders to finding mentors. We are offering it at a special introductory price of only $29.95, so click here to grab yours today!
Also if you've missed past editions of Training for Excellence, we will be posting the archives on our web site soon!
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About Us
Jeannette Webb is the founder of Aiming Higher Consultants, a firm dedicated to helping Christian students gain admission to great colleges. She has a heart for assisting parents as they train their children for excellence. Jeannette works to empower families to make thoughtful choices for their younger children, to confidently navigate the difficult high school years, and then ace the college admissions process.
If you liked today's issue, you'll love her personalized consulting services that help you map out a holistic plan for your student.
While Jeannette is best known for her clear-sighted counseling, her clients feel that her biggest gift to their family was permission to be themselves.
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