If you’ve ever wondered what Harvard University looks for in an admissions essay, you’re about to find out. One 18-year-old high school senior received early acceptance to Harvard because of her impressive, heartfelt and inspiring essay, and she shared it with the world on TikTok.
Abigail Mack lost her mom to cancer, but instead of letting sadness get to her, she kept herself busy with schoolwork and extracurricular activities. In the introduction to her essay, she wrote about why she hates the letter “S.”
@a_vmackMy Harvard Common App Essay introduction ##harvard ##grammarly ##IFeelWeightless ##ChipsGotTalent ##fyp ##college ##commonapp ##xyzbca ##loss ##s♬ original sound – Abigail Mack
She received many positive comments from the video above. For example, one current Harvard student wrote, “as a Harvard student who also has a parent die to cancer when I was young, this is beautiful. and WELCOME I can’t wait to meet you!!”
Abigail received so many positive comments that she decided to post follow-up videos in which she read the remainder of her admissions essay. In part 2, she explains why she became known as the “busy kid.”
@a_vmackI hate the letter “S” part 2! ##harvard ##s ##ihatetheletters ##commonapp ##IFeelWeightless ##ChipsGotTalent ##fyp ##college ##writing ##busy ##loss♬ original sound – Abigail Mack
In part 3 of her video series, she explained how she eventually focused on a few passions – theater, politics and academics. She also started focusing on a new “S” word – “passion.”
@a_vmackI hate the letter “S” – part 3! ##harvard ##s ##IFeelWeightless ##ChipsGotTalent ##commonapp ##fyp ##college ##writing ##passion ##ihatetheletters ##loss♬ original sound – Abigail Mack
In the final video in this 4-part series, Abagail explains that “S” motivated her, and she’s focusing on motivation.
@a_vmackI hate the letter “S” – part 4 (the final part)! ##harvard ##s ##IFeelWeightless ##ChipsGotTalent ##commonapp ##fyp ##college ##writing ##passion ##xyzbca♬ original sound – Abigail Mack
Not only did this amazing essay get Abagail accepted to Harvard, but she also got accepted to Notre Dame and Northwestern. It’s the Harvard acceptance that made Abagail scream so loudly that she lost her voice for a week. She also shared her reaction to getting accepted to Harvard on TikTok.
@a_vmackI didn’t have a voice for a week after this 🥰 ##harvard ##college ##accepted ##fyp ##foryou ##xyzbca ##MakeMomEpic♬ original sound – Abigail Mack
One viewer wrote, “I just know your mom is SO proud of you. You go girl!!”
If you’re wondering how to write a college admissions essay as powerful as Abagail’s, she has some advice. She told BuzzFeed, “Pour your passion, whatever it is, into every fiber of your application. Your college application is a culmination of everything you’ve done in high school. You’ve already put in the work, so the hardest part is done. Now, you just have to put pen to paper, share what you’ve accomplished, and, most importantly, illustrate how you plan to make a difference going forward in your own, unique way.”
Did you feel inspired by Abagail’s admissions essay?