This is our presentation at IECA on college application essays with admissions officers from Smith College and Syracuse University. Elizabeth Stone, Rebecca Joseph, David West, and Sidonia Darby presented from both sides of the admissions desk.

1. IECA SpringConference
Boston • May 4-7, 2016
http://tinyurl.com/ieca2016boston
Communicating Their Stories: Strategies To Help 17-Year
Olds Write Meaningful College Application Essays
Sidonia Darby
Rebecca Joseph
Elizabeth Stone
David West

2. Your Presenters
David West
Senior Director, Domestic
Recruitment and Territory
Management, Syracuse University
Rebecca Joseph, PhD
IEC and College Professor
Elizabeth Stone
IEC
Sidonia Dalby
Associate Director of
Admissions,
Smith College

4. Placing Essays In Context

5. The Common Application

6. Current CA 2015-2017Prompts
250-650 Words (2015-2016 percentages)
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please
share your story. (49%)
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident
or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the
experience? (17%)
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would
you make the same decision again. (4%)
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual
challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no
matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to
identify a solution. (10%)
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from
childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. (22%)

7. Each College’s Additional Essays Differ

8. Syracuse University

9. Syracuse=CommonApp +2 AdditionalShortEssays
2015-2016 Syracuse Member Questions: Writing
Same for both Freshman and Transfer Applicants
• 1. Who or what influenced you to apply to Syracuse
University?(Required, 250 word max, Paste in) 2. Who is the
person you dream of becoming and how do you believe Syracuse
University can help you achieve this? (Required, 250 word max,
Paste in)
Additional requirements for special programs and majors

10. Smith College

11. SmithCollege:CommonApp +2Writing
SupplementalEssays
2015-2016 Smith College Member Questions and Writing Supplement
Member Questions: Activities
If you wish to submit your résumé, you may upload it here. (Optional, Upload
document)
Writing Supplement (First-Year Applicants)
We know that colleges ask a lot of hard questions on their applications. This
one is not so hard and we promise, there is no hidden agenda – just have fun!
We have all heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine.” Recount a time
when something really made you laugh. (Required, Paste in, 200 word limit)
Advice from Smith:
http://www.smith.edu/admission/simply/docs/essay_writing/CollegeEssayTips
.pdf

12. Essays=Opportunity
•Share
•Reflect
•Stand Out
http://tinyurl.com/ieca20
16boston

13. But why do so many students wind
up? How can we mentor them?

14. Person Conceptualization
Asking teens to write about themselves
• Asking students to
king students to describe themselves

15. Level1-Demographics

16. Level2-Evaluative

17. Level3–PersonalityTraits

18. Level4–QualifiedTraits

19. Level5–PsychologicalInsight

20. Howdoesthisrelatetothecollege
essay?
Level 5
insight is
expected
from many
essay
prompts

21. Mentors or mediators can move
teensto higher levels of person
conceptualization by
• prodding
• reflecting
• integrating

22. Prodding and Reflecting
• interview from resume and
questionnaire
• integrating experiences
reflecting, questioning
• story starters
• outline free

23. Editing without a pen
verbal feedback - question – reflect - discover

24. Contact us
Rebecca Joseph, PhD
getmetocollege@gmail.com
Sidonia Dalby
sdalby@smith.edu
Elizabeth Stone
estone@campanile.us
David West
dwest@syr.edu
http://tinyurl.com/ieca2016boston