Reviews
Review: American MENSA - April 24, 2015
While the undergraduate essay is the focus of many books, the graduate school essay is just as, if not more, important to your acceptance into graduate level programs. Colleen Reding has helped to fill that gap with her new book Grad’s Guide to Graduate Admissions Essays, published by Prufrock Press. This collection of essays provides grad school applicants with models of successful medical school personal statements as well as successful essays from law school, business school and general graduate school students, all of whom attended Georgetown with Ms. Reding for their undergraduate degrees. These essays go beyond the standard “I have always wanted to be a lawyer” and “I really just want to help people,” instead weaving personal experiences into the story of why they are the ideal candidate for admission. Readers will get a good sense of what competitive graduate programs are looking for in applicant essays, and models they can use when drafting their own. Equally helpful are writing tips provided throughout the explaining why the essay was particularly effective—writing style, choice of theme, integrating examples, etc.