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- How important are essays in private school admissions decisions?
Essays matter. A lot. When schools are flooded with qualified applicants who all look great on paper, essays help admissions teams figure out who each student really is. They want more than grades and teacher praise—they want someone who’s curious, reflective, and ready to contribute.
The essay is your child’s chance to speak directly to the people making decisions. It’s where personality shows up, where values come through, and where a spark of originality can outshine a perfect GPA. A bland or sloppy essay can hurt an otherwise strong application. But a thoughtful, well-crafted one? That can be the thing that tips the scale. So yes, put energy here. It’s not just fluff. It’s strategy.
- Can we reuse the same essay for multiple San Diego schools?
Reusing essays? Tempting. Efficient. Sometimes even helpful. But only if you’re careful. While many San Diego private schools ask similar questions, they each have their own culture, values, and admissions priorities. If your child’s essay screams “generic,” it won’t connect.
The trick is to start with a flexible core—a story or message that feels true—then tweak it to match each school’s tone and expectations. Swap in specific details. Adjust the focus. Personalize the pitch. At the very least, make sure the right school name is in the right place.
Done well, repurposing saves time without losing impact. Done lazily, it shows. Admissions readers notice. So yes, reuse wisely, but don’t go full copy-paste.
- Do Cardinal Education coaches help with brainstorming and editing?
We do, and we’re pretty great at it. At Cardinal Education, essay coaching starts with figuring out what matters most to your child, not what sounds impressive, but what’s true. We help them identify meaningful stories, draw connections, and bring their personality to the page.
Once the brainstorming magic is done, we move into editing. We offer feedback on structure, voice, grammar, and clarity, all without turning their work into something artificial. The essay still sounds like your student, just with fewer run-on sentences and better transitions.
We’re not ghostwriters. We’re guides who help your child discover how to write with purpose. And if they get stuck? We’re the people who actually make writing fun again.
- How long should admissions essays typically be?
Most San Diego private school essays fall in the 250 to 500-word range. That’s enough to say something meaningful without wandering into ramble territory. Word limits may vary by school, so it’s always smart to double-check the instructions.
The goal is not to hit a word count exactly, but to communicate something thoughtful and complete. Pick one strong story or idea and dig in—don’t try to tell your child’s whole life story in one go. Think focus, not flash. Specificity always beats generalities.
And remember, shorter doesn’t mean easier. Writing with clarity, honesty, and personality in just a few paragraphs is a real skill. Luckily, it’s one your child can absolutely master with the right support.
