jfk essay submission

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

In Profiles in Courage , John F. Kennedy recounted the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to do what was right for the nation. These leaders demonstrated political courage by taking a stand for the public good in spite of pressure by interest groups, their political party, or even their constituents. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage .

Contest Topic: Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917 , the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national, or international level.

The contest deadline is January 12, 2024.

Visit the Profile in Courage Essay Contest section of the JFK Library website for more requirements, judging criteria, past winning essays, and additional information.

Registration and Submission

Please read Contest Topic and Information carefully before submitting your essay. Essays must meet   contest requirements to qualify for evaluation.

The Profile in Courage Essay Contest has upgraded its registration and submission technology, and we now use the SurveyMonkey Apply platform. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the Profile in Courage Essay Contest Coordinator.

Important Note: Before contacting the Profile in Courage Essay Contest Coordinator, please be sure to review the contest web pages and read over the FAQ section of the web site.

Email: [email protected]

JFKPICEC (2024 – Past Season)

Sep 1 2023 12:00 am (edt), jan 12 2024 11:59 pm (est).

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

One thing that quickly becomes apparent to high school students preparing for college is the burden of funding a four-year degree. Fortunately for college-bound students, there are numerous ways to reduce the cost of school. One of the most notable methods is pursuing a wide range of scholarships and awards. An award that students with exceptional writing and researching skills should consider is the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest.

About the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

In 1954, John F. Kennedy took a leave of absence from the Senate to recover from back surgery. Kennedy used that time to study the topic of political courage, which inspired him to later write the Pulitzer-Prize winning book Profiles in Courage —detailing the careers of eight Senators whom Kennedy believed demonstrated enormous courage when faced with pressure from their parties and constituents.  

Today, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest asks students to follow in Kennedy’s footsteps by researching and writing a creative original essay about an elected official who risked their career to take a stand on moral principles. The essay contest serves as a companion project to the Kennedy Library Foundation’s Profile in Courage Award, which honors elected officials who have demonstrated incredible political courage.

The winner of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest receives a $10,000 cash award and is invited to accept their prize at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts during the Profile in Courage Award events—with all travel and lodging expenses paid for. In addition to the award winner, the runner-up will receive a $3,000 award, the five finalists each receive $1,000 awards, and the eight semi-finalists are awarded $100 each.

In addition to the winners, ten students are selected for honorable mention and all participants receive a certificate of participation.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest Applicant Requirements

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest is available to U.S. high school students in grades nine through twelve. Students need to be enrolled in a public, private, parochial, or homeschool high school program in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or a U.S. territory. The contest also accepts submissions from U.S. citizens attending school overseas.

How to Apply

In order to participate in the Profile of Courage Essay Contest, students need to be recommended by a teacher who will support and advise the student in the creation of their essay. Nominating teachers can be former or current teachers of the applicant, but must still be still teaching at the school the participant is enrolled in. Rarely, an exception may be made if a student is unable to be nominated by a teacher from their school. For applicants who are homeschooled, the parent or legal guardian can fill the role of a nominating teacher.

An applicant’s essay is required to describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official on the local, state, or national level who served between 1917 (the year of Kennedy’s birth) and the present. Essays need to be an original work of the applicant and fall between 700 and 1,000 words—citations and bibliography do not count toward the word count. Additionally, applicants should cite a minimum of five sources.

John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward M. Kennedy, along with the senators featured in Profiles of Courage are not eligible subjects for essays. It’s also recommended to avoid writing about present or past presidents of the United States.

Past winners of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest are not eligible to participate again. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and their family members are also ineligible for the award.

Tips on Applying For Awards

Don’t Miss Deadlines: Pay close attention to deadlines and don’t wait until the last minute to submit your essay. The Profile in Courage Essay can be submitted via email or traditional mail. If you decide to submit your materials via traditional mail, the application must be postmarked on its due date.

Follow Directions: The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest has specific rules about how many words are allowed, sources needed, what information needs to be included, and how sources should be cited. It would be extremely disappointing to write a winning essay only to be disqualified because you made a mistake like forgetting to include a bibliography.

Proofread: Applicants for the Profile in Courage Essay Contest should work closely with their nominating teacher to ensure that they submit a clean essay free of grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, along with making sure the essay flows and meets the submission requirements.

Research: In addition to researching for their essay, applicants should research past winners to get an understanding of what a winning essay looks like. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum maintains a list of winners and their essays on their website .  

Professional Appearance: When applying for any distinguished award, there’s a chance that your social media profiles will be looked at. Audit your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles and delete any content that could be potentially damaging. While you’re at it, make sure you have a professional-looking email address to correspond with.

Get Professional Help: CollegeVine helps students win awards. Our expert advisors can provide whatever assistance a student needs, whether it’s staying ahead of deadlines or crafting an exceptional essay.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Competition Overview

U.s. high school students in grades 9 through 12 attending public, private, parochial, or home schools, september 1, 2024, january 17, 2025, competition details.

1. Competition Topic Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern a local, state, national, or international issue. Students are highly encouraged to profile an official in their town or state or a leader who has addressed an issue of great concern. 

Here is the 15 figures that are most written about in the competition: Bella Abzug, Ralph Carr, Shirley Chisholm, Tammy Duckworth, Linwood Holton, Barbara Jordan, Adam Kinzinger, Barbara Lee, Joseph Mancin, Harvey Milk, Patsy Mink, Lisa Murkowski, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Michael Pence, Brad Raffensperger, Jeannette Rankin, Margaret Chase Smith. In addition to the list , students are recommended not to write about presidents, senators and past recipients of the Profile in Courage Award. 

2. Judging Criteria 

• Demonstrated understanding of political courage
• Originality
• Supporting Evidence
• Source Material
• Quality of writing
• Organization
• Conventions

More information can be found on the website . 

• First-place: $10,000
• Second-place: $3,000
• Five Finalists: $1,000 each
• Ten Semi-finalists: $100 each

Past Winning Essays

By Ruby McIntee

By Jeremy Haynes

By Theodora McGee

Submission Requirements

1. Word Count The maximum word count is 1,000, with a minimum of 700, and does not include citations and bibliography. Students are required to use at least five varied sources, such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews.

2. Other rules The essay must be the student’s original work, with a minimum of five sources. Essays should not include identifying information about the author.

Resources to write a strong essay: Link .

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JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Offered by John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Multiple awards worth

$100 - $10,000

Grade level

High School Students

Application deadline:

January 17, 2025

Scholarship Overview

Are you a U.S. high school student with a love for U.S. history? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest! Each year, the contest awards up to $10,000 to winning applicants who submit a 700 – 1,000-word essay following the year’s prompt. Each year’s prompt relates to U.S. history, with this year’s being: “ Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. ” The scholarship is offered by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts.

If you love U.S. history and want to put your writing skills and history knowledge to the test, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

This scholarship is open to students meeting the below eligibility criteria.

U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents

Political Science

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Application information.

To apply for this scholarship, students must submit an online application in addition to the below application materials. Bear in mind that applicants must also have a “nominating teacher” who are currently teaching at the same high school as the applicant. Nominating teachers are responsible for providing advice and support to the student throughout the application process.

700-1,000-word essay

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John f. kennedy’s harvard entrance essay resurfaces online 87 years later.

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It’s no “Ask not… ” speech, that’s for sure.

John F. Kennedy’s college admissions letter to Harvard University has resurfaced on social media some 87 years later, and the Twitterati are hardly impressed with the iconic 35th president of the United States.

The note, penned by the young White House hopeful on April 23, 1935, is currently archived at the  John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library in Boston, Massachusetts.

His prompt was simple — “Why do you wish to come to Harvard?” — but his answer was even simpler.

In an indisputably underwhelming statement composed of just five sentences, the 17-year-old Bay State native answered the query that would determine his educational future.

He wrote, “The reasons that I have for wishing to go to Harvard are several. I feel that Harvard can give me a better background and a better liberal education than any other university.” 

He continued: “I have always wanted to go there, as I have felt that it is not just another college, but is a university with something definite to offer. Then too, I would like to go to the same college as my father. To be a ‘Harvard man’ is an enviable distinction, and one that I sincerely hope I shall attain.”

Kennedy eventually wound up at Harvard and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in government in 1940.

“ ’Harvard is a whole vibe. And I’m tryna catch the wave. Lemme in.’ — JFK,” one reader joked . The reaction garnered more than 59,000 likes on Twitter.

"Harvard is a whole vibe. And I'm tryna catch the wave. Lemme in." – JFK — C.E. Little, Ph.D. (@ItsDrLittle) February 1, 2022

“If you want to see peak white mediocrity, here’s JFK’s Harvard admission essay,” added another.

Even the Velveeta cheese brand chimed in : “LOL OUR PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FROM OUR WEBSITE IS 28 WORDS LONGER THAN JFK’S HARVARD COLLEGE ESSAY!”

The Democrat’s short but influential term as the nation’s youngest elected president began in 1961. JFK was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963 at the age of 46.

But his family’s academic legacy continues until this day . Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy’s grandson via daughter Caroline Kennedy, recently graduated from Harvard Law and Harvard Business School.

Schlossberg, 29, previously attended Yale University and graduated in 2015 with a degree in history with a concentration in Japanese history.

He also appeared at the 2020 Democratic National Convention where he voiced support of now-president Joe Biden and touched upon JFK’s career.

“Times have changed, but the themes of my grandfather’s speech — courage, unity and patriotism — are as important today as they were in 1960,” he said. “Once again, we need a leader who believes America’s best days are yet to come. We need Joe Biden.”

• Scholarships

JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Applicable For:

Max Award Amount:

Application Deadline:

About This Scholarship

Are you a high school student with a strong interest in history? Want to tell your Congressman what you think about the role of politics in America? Then enter your essays for the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest! This essay contest has been organized by an effort led by the Kennedy Library Foundation, which seeks to honor John F. Kennedy’s legacy of elected office by recognizing elected officials who take principled stands and make courageous decisions. The JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest is an annual essay competition designed to encourage high school students to write about acts of political courage by a U.S. elected official. The contest is named after President John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage, which recounts the stories of eight U.S. Senators who showed courage by standing up for their beliefs. The contest is important because it helps to promote civic education and engagement among high school students. By encouraging students to research and write about political courage, the contest helps to instill a sense of responsibility and commitment to democracy. The contest also allows students to develop their writing and critical thinking skills. Moreover, the contest offers students a chance to win cash prizes, which can help them pay for college or other educational expenses. The grand prize winner receives $10,000, and up to five runners-up receive $1000 each. In addition, the winning essays are published on the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum’s website, which provides students with a platform to share their ideas with a wider audience.

• The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum offer an annual scholarship to winning applicants who submit 700-1,000 word essays based on a prompt related to U.S. history.
• The current year’s prompt is “Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born.”
• The scholarship amount can be up to $10,000. If you have a passion for U.S. history and writing, we encourage you to apply and put your skills to the test.

Eligibility Criteria For JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

• Residency: The Contest is open to students who reside in the United States, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and are presently under 18.
• Essay Length: Essays must be the student’s original work and should be between 700 and 1,000 words in length. Each essay must be submitted with a completed registration form signed by a teacher or the essay advisor. Essays must be submitted online by the deadline, typically in January each year.
• Open to High School Students: Contestants must be high school students when the contest is offered.
• High School Level: The Contest only accepts essays written at the high school level.
• Topic : Essays must relate to a decision made by a U.S. elected official during or after 1917, as outlined in the prompt for that year’s essay.
• Essay outline: The essay must describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917 when John F. Kennedy was born. The essay must also explain why courage is important and describe the official’s risks and challenges.
• Nominating teacher: Each submission must be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from an English teacher, history teacher, or social studies teacher (with expertise in U.S. history) who is not related to the contestant and teaches at the high school level.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, jfk essay contest: tips and experiences.

Hey everyone! Has anyone here participated in the JFK Essay contest before? I'm curious about the requirements and how competitive it is. Any advice or experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hey there! The JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest is a pretty competitive event, but don't let that discourage you. It's an excellent opportunity to showcase your writing skills, and historical and political knowledge.

The contest asks participants to write an original (less than 1000 words) essay on an elected official who acted courageously to address a political issue, all while adhering to JFK's definition of political courage. It's important to choose a unique and lesser-known subject while ensuring your writing is engaging, well researched, and insightful.

As for advice, start by reading JFK's book 'Profiles in Courage' to understand his concept of political bravery. Take your time choosing a topic, making sure it hasn't been overused, as this will help your essay stand out. Research rigorously and use reputable sources to add credibility to your essay.

Don't forget to proofread your work multiple times and consider asking a teacher, counselor, or a peer to review it as well. Since it's a competitive contest, try to participate for the experience and growth rather than focusing entirely on winning.

Best of luck with the contest! I'm sure you'll do great!

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Ages: High School

Type: Submission

Scope: National

[email protected]

Participate

In  Profiles in Courage , John F. Kennedy recounted the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to do what was right for the nation. These leaders demonstrated political courage by taking a stand for the public good in spite of pressure by interest groups, their political party, or even their constituents. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of  political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in  Profiles in Courage .

Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after  1917 , the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national, or international level. The maximum word count is 1,000 with a minimum of 700, not including citations and bibliography. Use at least five varied sources such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews. All submissions must adhere to  contest requirements .

Content (55%)

Demonstrated understanding of political courage.

• Demonstrated an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in  Profiles in Courage
• Identified an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917.
• Proved that the elected official risked his or her career to address an issue at the local, state, national, or international level
• Explained why the official's course of action best serves or has served the larger public interest
• Outlined the obstacles, dangers, and pressures the elected official is encountering or has encountered

 Originality

• Thoughtful, original choice of a U.S. elected official
• Story is not widely known, or a well-known story is portrayed in a unique way

Supporting Evidence

• Well-researched
• Convincing arguments supported with specific examples
• Critical analysis of acts of political courage

Source Material

• Bibliography of five or more varied sources
• Includes primary source material
• Thoughtfully selected, reliable

Presentation (45%)

Quality of writing.

• Style, clarity, flow, vocabulary

Organization

• Structure, paragraphing, introduction and conclusion

Conventions

• Syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Website: https://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest/

Managing Organization: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Contact: [email protected]

Eligibility: The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; U.S. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories; and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas. Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and members of their families are not eligible to participate. All students must list the name of their nominating teacher on the registration form. The role of a nominating teacher is to provide students with support and advice during the writing of their essay.

Registration Opens: September 1, 2019

Registration Closes: January 18, 2020

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[TWO-WEEK NOTICE] [ESSAY] [700-1,000 WD] Jan 13, 2023: John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest (US high school students under the age of 20; no fee; awards $10,000 and publication)

Contest summary from Winning Writers:

Highly recommended free contest for US high school students under the age of 20 awards a top prize of $10,000 for essays about how an elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born, risked his or her career to take a stand based on moral principles. Essays should be between 700-1,000 words and cite at least five varied research sources. Must complete and submit a registration form online for student and school information, including the name of a nominating teacher.

Contest details

Sponsor: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Category: Essay

Submission length: 700-1,000 words

Entry fee: No fee

Awards: $10,000 and publication

Guidelines and submission information (organization's contest page)

This contest has been vetted and approved by Winning Writers

Scholarship Essay Contest

Every year, the john f. kennedy hyannis museum foundation invites high school seniors who are residents of barnstable (cape cod), nantucket or dukes (martha’s vineyard) counties to participate in an essay competition every march and relate the personal meaning of one of president kennedy’s quotes to the student’s own civic engagement experiences..

2024 Essay Winner Daniela Novoa Read More

2023 Essay Winner Luc-Andre’ Sader Read More

2022 Essay Winner Sadie LaBonte Read More

2022 Essay Winner Etzer Lindor Read More

The 2025 JFK Hyannis Museum Essay Contest

Check back for details of the 2025 JFK Hyannis Museum Foundation’s essay contest.

Eligibility :

• Applicants must be residents of Barnstable (Cape Cod), Nantucket or Dukes (Martha’s Vineyard) counties.
• Students must be enrolled in senior year of high school.

Submission Guidelines:

• An introduction that outlines the main ideas of your essay, including your personal interpretation of President Kennedy’s quote.
• A description of your own civic engagement experiences and how those efforts relate to trying to make a difference in your community, state, and/or country.
• Explain how these experiences will shape your future.
• 300-500 words in length.
• Student name
• Home address
• Cell phone number
• Email address
• College acceptance letter copy or letter of intent for a certificate program 
• Copy of your most recent transcript including semester and cumulative GPA
• Or attach a copy of your school’s scholarship application
• The winner will be asked to read their essay to the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. 
• All contestants agree to allow the museum to publish their essays, names and graduating high school on the museum website.
• Scholarship will be paid to the student directly upon proof of acceptance to a four-year college or accredited institution of higher education.
• The deadline to apply is in March , by sending an attachment containing the essay to [email protected] .  The museum foundation board will vote on essay recommendations at the board meeting held in May (typically the third week of the month).

The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3  non-profit organization.

Have Questions? Contact Wendy Northcross, Museum Director at [email protected] or text 508-364-4557.

2024 Open Submissions

CavanKerry Press accepts submissions for poetry collections, nonfiction essay collections, and memoir. Selected titles will be published by CavanKerry Press and receive national distribution.

CavanKerry Press publishes works that explore the emotional and psychological landscapes of everyday life , regardless of the author's prior publication history. We are particularly interested in receiving more work from queer, trans, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices and are committed to publishing a diverse roster of authors each year. With our LaurelBooks: The Literature of Illness and Disability imprint, CavanKerry is also especially engaged with work from people living with physical and/or mental illness and disability. Our Florenz Eisman Memorial Collection features authors from our home state of New Jersey.

All poetry manuscripts must be a minimum of 50 pages and should not be much longer than 100 pages. Nonfiction manuscripts should not be much longer than 200 pages.

• Submit your previously unpublished manuscript with a table of contents.
• Manuscript should be formatted on a Word document or .PDF using a standard font (such as Times New Roman or Calibri) and standard margins. Prose entries should be formatted with 1 and 1/2 or double spacing,
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More From Forbes

How not to write your college essay.

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If you are looking for the “secret formula” for writing a “winning” college essay, you have come to the wrong place. The reality is there is no silver bullet or strategy to write your way to an acceptance. There is not one topic or approach that will guarantee a favorable outcome.

At the end of the day, every admission office just wants to know more about you, what you value, and what excites you. They want to hear about your experiences through your own words and in your own voice. As you set out to write your essay, you will no doubt get input (both sought-after and unsolicited) on what to write. But how about what NOT Notcoin to write? There are avoidable blunders that applicants frequently make in drafting their essays. I asked college admission leaders, who have read thousands of submissions, to share their thoughts.

Don’t Go In There

There is wide consensus on this first one, so before you call on your Jedi mind tricks or predictive analytics, listen to the voices of a diverse range of admission deans. Peter Hagan, executive director of admissions at Syracuse University, sums it up best, saying, “I would recommend that students try not to get inside of our heads. He adds, “Too often the focus is on what they think we want.”

Andy Strickler, dean of admission and financial aid at Connecticut College agrees, warning, “Do NOT get caught in the trap of trying to figure out what is going to impress the admission committee. You have NO idea who is going to read your essay and what is going to connect with them. So, don't try to guess that.” Victoria Romero, vice president for enrollment, at Scripps College adds, “Do not write about something you don’t care about.” She says, “I think students try to figure out what an admission officer wants to read, and the reality is the reader begins every next essay with no expectations about the content THEY want to read.” Chrystal Russell, dean of admission at Hampden-Sydney College, agrees, saying, “If you're not interested in writing it, we will not be interested when reading it.” Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Vermont elaborates, advising. “Don’t try to make yourself sound any different than you are.” He says, “The number one goal for admission officers is to better understand the applicant, what they like to do, what they want to do, where they spend the majority of their time, and what makes them tick. If a student stays genuine to that, it will shine through and make an engaging and successful essay.”

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Don’t Be Artificial

The headlines about college admission are dominated by stories about artificial intelligence and the college essay. Let’s set some ground rules–to allow ChatGPT or some other tool to do your work is not only unethical, it is also unintelligent. The only worse mistake you could make is to let another human write your essay for you. Instead of preoccupying yourself with whether or not colleges are using AI detection software (most are not), spend your time focused on how best to express yourself authentically. Rick Clark is the executive director of strategic student success at Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the first institutions to clearly outline their AI policy for applicants. He says, “Much of a college application is devoted to lines, boxes, and numbers. Essays and supplements are the one place to establish connection, personality, and distinction. AI, in its current state, is terrible at all three.” He adds, “My hope is that students will use ChatGPT or other tools for brainstorming and to get started, but then move quickly into crafting an essay that will provide insight and value.”

Don’t Overdo It

Michael Stefanowicz, vice president for enrollment management at Landmark College says, “You can only cover so much detail about yourself in an admission essay, and a lot of students feel pressure to tell their life story or choose their most defining experience to date as an essay topic. Admission professionals know that you’re sharing just one part of your lived experience in the essay.” He adds, “Some of the favorite essays I’ve read have been episodic, reflecting on the way you’ve found meaning in a seemingly ordinary experience, advice you’ve lived out, a mistake you’ve learned from, or a special tradition in your life.” Gary Ross, vice president for admission and financial aid at Colgate University adds, “More than a few applicants each year craft essays that talk about the frustration and struggles they have experienced in identifying a topic for their college application essay. Presenting your college application essay as a smorgasbord of topics that ultimately landed on the cutting room floor does not give us much insight into an applicant.”

Don’t Believe In Magic

Jason Nevinger, senior director of admission at the University of Rochester warns, “Be skeptical of anyone or any company telling you, ‘This is the essay that got me into _____.’ There is no magic topic, approach, sentence structure, or prose that got any student into any institution ever.” Social media is littered with advertisements promising strategic essay help. Don’t waste your time, energy, or money trying to emulate a certain style, topic, or tone. Liz Cheron is chief executive officer for the Coalition for College and former assistant vice president of enrollment & dean of admissions at Northeastern University. She agrees with Nevinger, saying “Don't put pressure on yourself to find the perfect, slam dunk topic. The vast majority of college essays do exactly what they're supposed to do–they are well-written and tell the admission officer more about the student in that student's voice–and that can take many different forms.”

Don’t Over Recycle

Beatrice Atkinson-Myers, associate director of global recruitment at the University of California at Santa Cruz tells students, “Do not use the same response for each university; research and craft your essay to match the program at the university you are interested in studying. Don't waste time telling me things I can read elsewhere in your application. Use your essay to give the admissions officer insights into your motivations, interests, and thinking. Don't make your essay the kitchen sink, focus on one or two examples which demonstrate your depth and creativity.” Her UC colleague, Jim Rawlins, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at the University of California at San Diego agrees, saying “Answer the question. Not doing so is the surest way we can tell you are simply giving us a snippet of something you actually wrote for a different purpose.”

Don’t Overedit

Emily Roper-Doten, vice president for undergraduate admissions and financial assistance at Clark University warns against “Too many editors!” She says, “Pick a couple of trusted folks to be your sounding board when considering topics and as readers once you have drafts. You don’t want too many voices in your essay to drown you out!” Scripps’ Romero agrees, suggesting, “Ask a good friend, someone you trust and knows you well, to read your essays.” She adds, “The goal is for the admission committee to get to know a little about you and who better to help you create that framework, than a good friend. This may not work for all students because of content but helps them understand it’s important to be themselves.” Whitney Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at The University of Pennsylvania adds, “Avoid well-meaning editorial interference that might seem to polish your writing but actually takes your own personal ‘shine’ right out of the message.” She says, “As readers, we connect to applicants through their genuine tone and style. Considering editorial advice for flow and message is OK but hold on to the 'you' for what you want to say and how you want to say it.”

Don’t Get Showy

Palmer Muntz, senior regional admissions counselor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks cautions applicants, “Don’t be fancier than you are. You don’t need to put on airs.” He adds, “Yes, proofread your work for grammar and spelling, but be natural. Craft something you’d want to read yourself, which probably means keeping your paragraphs short, using familiar words, and writing in an active voice.” Connecticut College’s Strickler agrees, warning, “Don't try to be someone you are not. If you are not funny, don't try to write a funny essay. If you are not an intellectual, trying to write an intellectual essay is a bad idea.”

Anthony Jones, the vice president of enrollment management at Loyola University New Orleans offers a unique metaphor for thinking about the essay. He says, “In the new world of the hyper-fast college admission process, it's become easy to overlook the essential meaning of the college application. It's meant to reveal Y...O...U, the real you, not some phony digital avatar. Think of the essay as the essence of that voice but in analog. Like the completeness and authenticity captured in a vinyl record, the few lines you're given to explain your view should be a slow walk through unrestrained expression chock full of unapologetic nuances, crevices of emotion, and exactness about how you feel in the moment. Then, and only then, can you give the admissions officer an experience that makes them want to tune in and listen for more.”

Don’t Be A Downer

James Nondorf, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at The University of Chicago says, “Don’t be negative about other people, be appreciative of those who have supported you, and be excited about who you are and what you will bring to our campus!” He adds, “While admissions offices want smart students for our classrooms, we also want kind-hearted, caring, and joyous students who will add to our campus communities too.”

Don’t Pattern Match

Alan Ramirez is the dean of admission and financial aid at Sewanee, The University of the South. He explains, “A big concern I have is when students find themselves comparing their writing to other students or past applicants and transform their writing to be more like those individuals as a way to better their chances of offering a more-compelling essay.” He emphasizes that the result is that the “essay is no longer authentic nor the best representation of themselves and the whole point of the essay is lost. Their distinctive voice and viewpoint contribute to the range of voices in the incoming class, enhancing the diversity of perspectives we aim to achieve.” Ramirez simple tells students, “Be yourself, that’s what we want to see, plus there's no one else who can do it better than you!”

Don’t Feel Tied To A Topic

Jessica Ricker is the vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid at Skidmore College. She says, “Sometimes students feel they must tell a story of grief or hardship, and then end up reliving that during the essay-writing process in ways that are emotionally detrimental. I encourage students to choose a topic they can reflect upon positively but recommend that if they choose a more challenging experience to write about, they avoid belaboring the details and instead focus on the outcome of that journey.” She adds, "They simply need to name it, frame its impact, and then help us as the reader understand how it has shaped their lens on life and their approach moving forward.”

Landmark College’s Stefanowicz adds, “A lot of students worry about how personal to get in sharing a part of their identity like your race or heritage (recalling last year’s Supreme Court case about race-conscious admissions), a learning difference or other disability, your religious values, LGBTQ identity…the list goes on.” He emphasizes, “This is always your choice, and your essay doesn’t have to be about a defining identity. But I encourage you to be fully yourself as you present yourself to colleges—because the college admission process is about finding a school where your whole self is welcome and you find a setting to flourish!”

Don’t Be Redundant

Hillen Grason Jr., dean of admission at Franklin & Marshall College, advises, “Don't repeat academic or co-curricular information that is easily identifiable within other parts of your application unless the topic is a core tenant of you as an individual.” He adds, “Use your essay, and other parts of your application, wisely. Your essay is the best way to convey who your authentic self is to the schools you apply. If you navigated a situation that led to a dip in your grades or co-curricular involvement, leverage the ‘additional information’ section of the application.

Thomas Marr is a regional manager of admissions for the Americas at The University of St Andrews in Scotland and points out that “Not all international schools use the main college essay as part of their assessment when reviewing student applications.” He says, “At the University of St Andrews, we focus on the supplemental essay and students should avoid the mistake of making the supplemental a repeat of their other essay. The supplemental (called the Personal Statement if using the UCAS application process) is to show the extent of their passion and enthusiasm for the subject/s to which they are applying and we expect about 75% of the content to cover this. They can use the remaining space to mention their interests outside of the classroom. Some students confuse passion for the school with passion for their subject; do not fall into that trap.”

A Few Final Don’ts

Don’t delay. Every college applicant I have ever worked with has wished they had started earlier. You can best avoid the pitfalls above if you give yourself the time and space to write a thoughtful essay and welcome feedback openly but cautiously. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect . Do your best, share your voice, and stay true to who you are.

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This summer, you can carry forward President Kennedy's legacy with DOUBLE the impact!

Recognition and awards.

• The winner receives a  $10,000  cash award. If the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation holds the 2025 Profile in Courage Award event in person, the winner and her/his/their family will be invited to travel to Boston to accept her/his/their award in May 2025. Travel and lodging expenses will be paid for the trip to Boston for the winning student and her/his/their parents.
• Second-place winner receives  $3,000 .
• Five finalists receive  $1,000  each.
• Ten semifinalists receive  $100  each.
• Eight students receive honorable mentions.
• The nominating teacher of the first-place winner is also invited to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library to receive the John F. Kennedy Public Service Grant in the amount of  $500  for school projects encouraging student leadership and civic engagement. Travel and lodging expenses will be paid for the trip to Boston.
• All participants receive a Certificate of Participation.

Winners and finalists will be notified by April 30. All participants will receive a letter announcing the winners and finalists by the end of May.

Please do not call the Kennedy Presidential Library for information about the status of your essay. All participants receive a Certificate of Participation.