The Harvard Independent - 100 Successful College Application Essays

We would like to thank many people. First, the hundreds of students who submitted their essays for consideration. Their help, with only the knowledge that their experience might benefit others in return, has been invaluable.

Our appreciation, as always, to Thomas Harvey, for his wise advice, his experience, and his introduction.

Often support comes from a place where it is least expected. Thanks to the partnership of Schafe, Sean, and Now, who now know the true meaning of good jobs at good wages. Thanks also to Mike for providing an opportunity.

Special appreciation to Martha Dustin, for her General Attitude and her reading skills, to our sister Stephanie, who promised that all her friends children would buy a copy, and to Mary Beth Whitson for always knowing when to break for coffee.

Most of all, wed like to thank our parents.

And, of course, special thanks to George Bear.

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The following editors selected the 100 essays in this book from the hundreds of pieces submitted. Editors-in-chief: Christopher J. Georges (Executive Editor of the Harvard Crimson, 1987); Gigi E. Georges (Managing Editor of the Wellesley News, 1988); Managing Editor: Shari Rudavsky (Managing Editor of the Harvard Crimson, 1988).

Editorial Staff: Keith O. Boykin (Editor-in-chief and Chairman of the Dartmouth News, 1987); Sean Dobson (writer for the Yale Daily News, 1987); Martha Dustin (staff editor of the Harvard Independent Insiders Guide to Prep Schools, 1987); Tony Laden (President of the Harvard Independent, 1988); David Lee (President of the Harvard Independent, 1987); Kevin Park (Publisher of the Harvard Independent, 1988); John R. Schafer (Coeditor-in-chief of The Williams Record, 1987); Wade Roush (Editor-in-chief of the Harvard Independent, 1988).

Thanks to the following staff members for their work on the second edition: Alexander P. Nyren, Alicia Llosa, Karen Kiang, and Will Reckler.

Finally, thanks to Gary Gerbrant and Whitney Lee for their efforts in putting together this third edition.

The following people provided the comments and remarks that follow the essays: Natalie Aharonian, former Director of Admission, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA; Brenda Lee Barr, MSEd., College Counselor, Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal, VA; Stanley A. Bosworth, Headmaster, Saint Anns School, Brooklyn, NY; Ann A. Frietas, College Counselor, Bellarmine College Prep, San Jose, CA; Ted Grabowski, Director of Guidance, Holy Ghost Prep, Bensalem, PA; Amy Miller Harriman, Admissions Director, Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal, VA; Tom D. Harvey, former Assistant Headmaster for External Affairs, Poly Prep Country Day School, Brooklyn, NY; Michael A. Hricko, Provincial Assistant for Secondary and Presecondary Education, Maryland Province Jesuits, Baltimore, MD; Robert Koppert, Director of College Counseling, The Dalton School, New York, NY; John McClintoch, former College Counselor, Francis W. Parker School, Chicago, IL; John C. Merrill, III, Director of College Counseling, The Pingree School, South Hamilton, MA; Robert C. Miller, College Counselor, Happy Valley School, Ojai, CA; John W. Mudge, College Advisor, Garrison Forest School, Garrison, MD; Richard J. OHara, The Head of the School, The Wellington School, Columbus, OH; Maxine Rodberg, Director of the Writing Center and Senior Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; Bryan P. Seese, former Director of Placement, Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA; Peter Taubman, Graduate Deputy for the School of Education and Head of Adolescent Education, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY; Hal D. Tayloe, former Chairman, English Dept., Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News, VA; Arthur S. Thomas, Director of College Counseling, The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ.