The death of the college essay has been a long time coming. For years, students have been asking themselves if they should still be writing the long-form college essay, or if their time could be better spent focusing on other elements of their college application. In the end, the death of the college essay can be seen as a good thing for both students and admissions officers.
For students, the death of the college essay does away with the pressure to craft a well-written narrative that tells a compelling story about who they are. Not only does this make the process much less daunting, but it also allows them to focus on other aspects of their college application such as test scores and extracurricular activities. This makes it easier for them to craft an overall application that is more reflective of their true selves rather than just a single essay.
For admissions officers, the death of the college essay means they no longer have to read through thousands of essays to get a sense of each students personality. Instead, they are able to get a more holistic view of each applicant by looking at all aspects of their application package. This makes it much easier for them to assess each applicant fairly, and make decisions based on the most qualified candidates.
Overall, the death of the college essay is a positive change for both students and admissions officers. While it may be a bit sad to say goodbye to the traditional narrative essay, it is also a necessary move towards a more efficient and equitable admissions process.