How to Write an Awesome Private School Essay

Sitting down to write a Private School Essay can be nerve-wracking, especially when your child is staring at a blank document and blinking cursor on the screen! The pending December 15th deadline puts even more pressure on the process.

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Writing from scratch requires focus and inspiration — and the stress becomes real when the writing topic is turned towards you. No wonder students (and parents) get overwhelmed when it’s time to complete the essay portion of a private school application! However, it doesn’t have to be. 

The short essay questions are meant to provide admissions officers with a well-rounded picture of your child as a person and as a student. When written thoughtfully, your child can truly stand out. 

Below are top tips from Write Coach for conquering writer’s block to write an awesome essay:

Remember your audience.

Although the essay is about your student, it’s FOR the private school admissions team. What will stand out to them? What will interest them? What will help them best understand your child and how they learn? Craft an essay with these professionals in mind.

Answer the essay question asked.  

This may seem obvious. However, it’s easy to steer off course when you get into a writing groove. Always refer back to the question and make sure to answer all parts of the question. Go below the suggested word count.

Portray personality.

Private schools are admitting people, not numbers. Their goal is to create a diverse community in which students grow and are challenged. The best essay includes his/her different interests and passion and will demonstrate a student’s personality, quirks and all. 

Provide a unique perspective. 

Opinions are important. If your child believes in a cause or has a strong point-of-view on a topic, talk about why. By standing behind their convictions, your child will avoid cookie-cutter responses and show their critical thinking and leadership capabilities. 

Maintain proper essay structure.

Remember, the essay isn’t just an exercise to get to know your well-rounded student; it’s also an evaluation of their writing ability. Maintaining the proper essay structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion is essential. Keep in mind, admission officers read a LOT of essays, so really work on hooking them with the intro. 

Get feedback.

Once your child’s essay is complete, it’s perfectly acceptable for them to ask someone else to read it. If you didn’t hire Write Coach, now is an ideal time. We will point out areas where they have opportunities to strengthen an idea or cut the clutter of any extra words or phrases that don’t support their answers. 

Write Coach ensures your child’s own perspective is captured within a clear, concise essay that resonates with their dream school’s admissions team. Free 15 minute consultations are available by clicking here.

Meet Ellen LeMaitre, Private Writing Coach


ellen LeMaitre, Academic Writing Coach, Andover MA

About Me

I grew up in Andover, Massachusetts, lucky enough to have teachers who were witty, engaging, and knowledgeable. I had a love for sports, reading and creative writing. My 9th grade English teacher saw my passion for literature and stoked it. In my report card that spring she described me as a future author who was “ebullient” in my writing as well as in my day-to-day life. That is when I realized it just takes one moment, one word, one good grade, one laugh from an audience hearing your story to turn any of us into happy writers.

I earned my Masters in teaching English at Lesley University not long after graduating as an English major at Middlebury College. Naturally, I became an English teacher and author and eventually shared my love of reading and writing with my own children. It was only a matter of time that I’d find my dream job. Write Coach has lent me the platform to help cultivate writers to become more effective and confident communicators.

When not coaching writers, Ellen is also a published author.
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