Why Most UAE Students Struggle to Impress Admissions Officers with Their Essays
Written by:
Lauren P.
Head of Application Essay Mentoring
Through her essay mentorship, Lauren has helped students uncover their unique voice and gain admission to every Ivy League and other top universities. She’s known for drawing out authentic, powerful stories that make applications unforgettable.
Even the strongest IB and A-Level students in the UAE lose their edge at the final stage — the personal essay. It’s the moment where good applicants blend in… and great ones break away from the crowd. Perfect grades, prefect titles, Olympiad medals — they open doors, but they rarely secure a seat. And in the Middle East’s most competitive schools, where hundreds of students share equally impressive profiles, the essay becomes the ultimate deciding factor. Why? Because it’s the only part of the application where admissions officers hear a student’s real voice — how they think, what they value, and why they belong on that campus. And this is exactly where most applicants fall short.
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t rehash your résumé. The essay isn’t about repeating achievements but about revealing who you are.
- Go beyond what’s already in your application. Use the essay to explain the why behind the what.
- Depth beats breadth. One story told with detail has more impact than a dozen crammed together.
- Clichés kill connection. Specific, lived details make even ordinary moments feel original.
- Show who you’re becoming. The best essays reveal growth, empathy, and perspective — not just polish.
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