Writing the Common Application essay can be an anxiety-inducing task for many aspiring university students. The essay is meant to uniquely identify each student, and help them shine. But how do fresh young high-schoolers captivate admissions officers through their narratives, portray themselves as agents of change, and chronicle personal achievements and individual talents without seeming to brag? What are the pitfalls to avoid, what would make them stand out, and give them a winning edge in this highly competitive environment?

‘Indian Roots, Ivy Admits: 101 Essays that Got Indian Students into the Ivy League and Stanford is a new and expanded edition of the original, which contained 85 essays. We hope that just like the first edition, this, too, will lead young contenders on the path to drafting their successful overseas education applications.