The Personal Statement is the most underutilized part of the college application, and the most powerful.
In More Than a Personal Statement, Harvard graduate and former interviewer Razi Hecker showcases the essay-writing process that's helped his students get into top colleges at acceptance rates five to ten times the national average. With warmth, insight, and a deep respect for each student's voice, Razi shares a curated collection of essays that are a masterclass in honesty and storytelling.
Inside, you'll meet students whose personal statements landed spots at Cornell with karate, Penn with ballet, Harvard with comedy, and Stanford with calligraphy. You'll also read supplemental essays on hammocks (Yale), the Bhagavad Gita (Caltech), rockets (Georgia Tech), and chess (Columbia). Their paths were different, but the most important part was always the same: their unique story.
Whether you're an applicant, parent, counselor, or just someone who loves short stories, this book offers a rare look into the personal work that makes the best college applications unforgettable.
