Rating: 
Summary: A must have book for college applicants!
Review: This is one exceptional and extraordinary book that I have ever read in the ever-eventful approach to climacteric college application essays. I have examined through 35 or so similar self-help related books with a "magnifier and a fine-tooth-comb," and all have particularly failed in comparison to Harry Bauld's work of art. Bauld's book is the quintessential of this topic. His book unquestionably stood out from all the other books (like an illuminated Eiffel Tower in a dark Parisian night). Bauld's book is that vital "compass" bewildered high school students ache for in order to get across that catastrophic hurdle of applying to colleges. Bauld teaches (with intense & witty humor) the reader to concretely compose for themselves (in an invigorating and upstanding technique-form) an essay that upholds the applicant's chances in getting into "The Dream" University, rather than have it end up in the "round file." Bauld's meticulous methods are fair and justified. He distinctly illustrates his accounts on the How, What, When, Where & Why, as well as the bloopers most writers have mistakenly included in their essays. One revelation that should catch an ordinary John or Jane Doe's eye is that Harry Bauld has been behind the admissions scene at Ivy League Schools (Brown and Columbia). In essence, he is not of the countless, clueless or ignorant high school college counselors that often misinform and misdirect students on the applicants' approaches to the "Field of Dreams." Bauld takes you to the Ballpark and coaches you through the entire game: from the initial thought process, to brainstorming of ideas, to the roughdraft stages of writing and to the finale of editing. He narrates on the "McGwirean-homerun-hitting-essays" as well as those critically "how-to-strike-out-essays." He includes inconceivable and exemplary essays that "got in," and model essays that "got tossed." Moreover, this book not only serves the solo purpose for high school students applying to colleges, but for college students applying to higher elite institutions as well. I am a living testimony to this. I had extreme difficulty drafting a convincing essay to Stanford University. After exercising the guerilla tactics by Bauld, I got accepted! Last but not least, this is one book that teaches you to write better. Indeed, Bauld's book is the super-octane gasoline any lost applicant needs to drive from Point A to Point B in the college application essay process. I give this book five stars and two thumbs up (way up)! Harry Bauld's winning book will lead you through the minefield! Remember: a winner picks a winner.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and serious; useful for post college, too
Review: Though it would initially seem aimed at applying to undergraduate schools, "On Writing the College Application Essay" is excellent for essay writing in general (including MBA applications :-).The first half emphasizes the importance of knowing your audience. Although we're inclined to think nobel laureates will pore over our applications, the reality is they're screened by the Sarah Bleary and Henry Haggards of the world: real folks who see so many applications, that they struggle to differentiate them. Knowing your audience is only one part of the equation. In the essay, you must convince the reader that you're YOU. Instead, many applicants portray themselves based on what they think the admissions committee wants, often to the extent of sweeping banalities. Bauld explores several of these with his sharp wit. Perhaps the funniest is Pet Death: "As I watched Buttons' life ebb away, I came to value the important things in this world." In the second half, Bauld suggests you take a chill pill, then start keeping a notebook of any ideas an observations -- anything. Eventually you'll start to relax enough that your writing will come alive. However, before it can come alive, you must get something on paper. You'll continuously refine and tighten your opus, and the author gives several suggestions of how to approach this, with examples of first, second and third drafts. Finally, Bauld includes several different essays, a few from college applications, and most not. Each of these conveys a different style but illustrates the crux of the book: you gotta be you.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome...and it really worked!
Review: To anyone who is looking to give their college application a little something special, this book is a must. I was accepted yesterday to a top 50 school from a community college largely, in my opinion, because of this book. While other factors were involved, this book helped me to form and shape a really attractive and unique essay which made me stand out from others. He doesn't have any magical formula, and the applicant will have to work for it, but he gives you the right tools to craft an essay that is a work of art. Trust me, if you don't get any other book for college, get this one! It's well worth the money!
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