Abigail's essay is frequently cited as a gold standard for college admissions because of several key writing techniques:
: If you are trying to emulate this style, guides on How to Make a Video Essay can help you organize your thoughts into a similar narrative arc.
: For those looking to create their own video essay response, resources like Macalester's Video Essays 101 offer tools for logging clips and recording narration.
Video Essays 101 - Digital Liberal Arts - Macalester College
Her essay became famous for its unique focus on her hate-to-love relationship with the , which she used as a metaphor to discuss the loss of her mother (turning "parents" into "parent") and her subsequent growth. Why This Essay is Considered "Useful"
: Instead of simply stating she is a hard worker or has dealt with trauma, she uses specific linguistic examples to illustrate her emotional journey.
: You can watch her Reading My Common App Essay on TikTok to see her delivery and structure.
: She balances the heavy topic of her mother's passing with her active pursuits, demonstrating resilience and intellectual curiosity—traits highly valued by Harvard's Class of 2025 . Resources for Analyzing the Essay
