REAL EXAMPLES OF STORIES AND ANECDOTES AND HOW STUDENTS USED THEM
Over the years adMISSION POSSIBLE® has encouraged students and their parents to collect personal stories and anecdotes. Here are some examples and how they have ended up being used:

STORY #1: When he was 9 years old, a young boy saw that his school was littered with all kinds of paper lunch bags, milk cartons and trash. He was so upset by the mess that he decided to do something about it. On his own, he designed, got manufactured, and then sold recyclable lunch bags, the profits of which went back to his school.

How story was used:
To answer an application essay question about how a student’s unique interests would contribute to a university’s community.

Messages of story:
The student has been a “doer” since he was a little boy. He is resourceful, community oriented, hard working, and environmentally sensitive. Even when as a young boy, he found ways to make a difference in his community.

STORY #2: As a 12 year old, a Mexican American girl was selected by her family to give a testimonial speech for her grandfather in English and Spanish before 500 people in Mexico City.

How story was used:
To answer an application question about first experiences being a defining moment in a student’s life.

Messages of story:
The writer is bi-lingual; a good speaker (of all the adults and children in the family, she was the one chosen to speak), comfortable in front of large audiences, very family oriented and proud of her Mexican heritage.

STORY #3: A student applied to and was selected for a prominent yearlong student exchange program in France. She couldn’t wait to live the French way of life, especially to eat wonderful French cuisine three meals a day for nine months. Among many other BIG surprises, her French family ended up serving canned and packaged foods, fish sticks, frozen pizza and the like.

How story was used:
To answer an application essay question about how a student faced a major challenge in his/her life.

Messages of story:
With a heavy emphasis on humor, this writer showed how she could roll with the punches, be flexible, and make the best out of any challenging situation. Also, her essay was a demonstration of her very positive outlook on life.