Free 20-Minute Consultation

515 East 72nd Street, New York, NY 10021
E-mail: director@theivycoach.com
Tel: (212) 600-0312
Please complete the consultation form prior to calling.
The Ivy Coach is frequently featured in...
Personalized Attention from an Admissions Expert...

Newsletter Sign Up

Archive for: Books in College Essays

Citing Books in College Essays


Cite Books in College Essays, Books in Admissions Essays, Books for College Admission Essays

Cite books in college essays, sure. But don’t just cite books that are required reading in classrooms across the United States.

Citing books in college essays can be beneficial. But it all depends on how you do it (show, don’t tell) and citing books that are required reading can sometimes backfire. Jay Gatsby, Holden Caulfield, and Atticus Finch are all noteworthy characters in American fiction. “The Great Gatsby,” “The Catcher in the Rye,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” are, after all, seminal books of American fiction. They are among the most famous and circulated books in America, and they are read in classrooms across the nation. But does that mean that you should write about these books in your college essays? Does that mean that you should cite these books when asked your favorite books in college interviews? Well, if “The Catcher in the Rye” really is your favorite book, then absolutely tell the truth. But that doesn’t mean you can’t expand on your answer by citing a few more books and explaining why you love these books.

And with the additional books, be sure to cite books that aren’t required reading in classrooms across the nation. If you’re uncertain if the book you’re citing is generally considered mandatory reading at most high schools in the United States, go to your local Barnes & Noble. Go to the classics section (it’s often on one table on the first floor). If the books you like to write and talk about are all on this classics table, then you have your answer. If there is a “SparkNotes” for the book, that’s generally a good indication that the book is a classic as well.

There’s nothing wrong with loving classics. It’s just very important in the highly selective college admissions process to demonstrate a love for learning. If all of your books that you love are required reading, what does that say about your passion for reading on your own? It doesn’t say that you like to read before you go to bed. It doesn’t say that you have an insatiable appetite for learning. It doesn’t say much at all in fact because most of your classmates can cite those books as well. Dare to be different. Be a reader and figure out what books move you. Then, write about them in your college essays and discuss them in your college interviews.

Books for College Essays


Books for College Admissions Essays, Books for University Essays, Books for Ivy League Essays

Don’t write about “The Hunger Games” in your college essays. Write about other books instead.

Demonstrating a love for reading is important in the college admissions process. After all, if you don’t like to read, you don’t really have a thirst for learning. And a thirst for learning, to expand your knowledgeable, is so important in college admissions…and in life! If you happen to write about books that have influenced your thinking (or your life) in your college essays, try to avoid writing exclusively about “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games.” Do you know how many students submit essays with references to “Harry Potter,” “Twilight,” and “The Hunger Games?” Seriously. Enough is enough. And that doesn’t mean you should be referencing “50 Shades of Grey.” That would be a bad idea, too.

Try to show your intellectual side. It’s nice that you read all of the books in Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games.” They’re great books! And Lionsgate is making some great movies based on the books. But this does not showcase your intellectual side. This does not make you unique. You’re now one of thousands writing about the very same characters, the very same book. Dare to be different. Dare to write about a book that has influenced you that few people have read. Dare to write about a book that is controversial for its line of thinking. Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” was one such controversial book. This is a great book to write about. Even better is when you can write about a book that is not required reading at your school.

Do you read for pleasure? You should. If you do, what books have influenced you? What characters in these books stand out to you? Can you write about this in your college essays in a compelling way? If so, it can often be a great place to start. So take our advice. No “Hunger Games!” Oy vey.

Books in College Essays


Books that students love often come up in college essays. And that’s a good thing! Books are a great way to showcase to college admissions counselors your love of learning, your love of reading and discovery (as long as you’re not simply name-dropping books or authors as that gets boring fast). When college applicants write about books, though, they too often write about the same books. And when you write about the same books as everyone else is writing about, it becomes another essay about “The Great Gatsby.”

Books and College Essays, Reading and College Essays, Reading in College Essays

Don't write about "The Hunger Games" in your college essays -- even if you read the books. You'll be one of way too many applicants who do so.

Try to avoid writing about books that are obviously required reading at your high school. People are pretty familiar with the required reading book list because everyone had to read those books when they were in high school. We’ve all read “To Kill A Mockingbird.” We’ve all read “The Grapes of Wrath.” We may not all remember much about the details of these books but we know we’ve read them. We know they’re taught in high school classrooms.

Show how you love to read outside of school. Show how you’re eager to read books that aren’t required reading. But don’t just write about “The Hunger Games” books or the “Twilight” books. Don’t write about “Harry Potter.” Show your thirst for knowledge. Show how you like reading books that you don’t just read because the Lionsgate marketing department tells you that it’s going to be a blockbuster movie franchise. Read a book off the beaten path and show (don’t tell) why you love it and how this sheds insight on what you’re all about.

While you’re here, check out this post: Advice on College Essays.