Helping applicants navigate the intricate yet vitally important essay process at elite schools such as Stanford ? a university that enrolls students from all 50 states and 52 countries and has an admission rate less than five percent ? this go-to guide helps prospective students see for themselves what it takes to be admitted to selective programs at colleges nationwide. Along with the 50 essay examples that give a detailed analysis of the strengths and even weaknesses of each essay, there are tips from college admission officers and successful applicants and a description of the 25 essay mistakes that guarantee failure. For highly judicious colleges, the essay is one of the most important factors in whether students are admitted or rejected, yet this resource, from a pair of award-winning authors and college application gurus, will help readers temper their fears and inspire their writing.