6 Things NOT to do in Your Supplemental Essays | i've edited 50+ essays

[@aliceliu9754]

tl;dr :) 1. spend a lot of time on the “why us” essay!!!!!! research, research, research - don’t write about surface level details (like geographic conditions, sports teams, school colors, architecture, etc), or about things everyone already knows (like a famous street, building, etc) - do talk about something that is specific to that school 2. try to show some of your personality - don’t talk too much about academics - do talk about the college community + how you’d fit in, clubs that might not be found at other schools, and research opportunities 3. don’t bring things up without context - show that you’ve had a particular interest for a long time - mention things you’ve done in the past, applicable clubs, etc. - try to connect your ecs to each other and make your entire app flow, it makes you seem like a real person who has long term plans and interests 4. don’t be a walking brochure, the person reading your essays will 100% know more about the school than you. - show what you have to offer to the school as opposed to what the school can offer you. you can talk about the school’s resources and opportunities but try to pivot back to how you can utilize them to give back to the school in the future 5. don’t try to talk about too much stuff, focus on a few topics and elaborate more. this makes it more memorable, personal, and genuine. 2 topics for ~200 word essays and 3-4 for ~500 word essays. 6. don’t be fake!!!!! don’t assume what the reader wants to hear or try to force a certain image of yourself. if you make yourself seem too perfect when it’s not honest your supps will come off poorly this channel is such a saving grace, thank u sm

[@nikita5917]

You are doing God's work, tysm)

[@Waxkasta]

@@nikita5917 100% agree. This is amazing

[@oliviagreen8122]

Me watching this the day before my 12 supplemental essays are due 👁👄👁

[@haleykang8156]

:(((

[@Jojodancer20100]

I feel ure pain kid. My son just went to bed. He has 17 essays to finish by next Tuesday

[@serenalizinnqui8474]

We watching 8 hours before my application is due. :/

[@Jojodancer20100]

@@serenalizinnqui8474 I wish you the best of luck.

[@serenalizinnqui8474]

@@Jojodancer20100 Thanks! I need it.

[@haleykang8156]

i just realized i accidentally deleted a clip in my video of me explaining i lied about the sponsor because no one cares enough about my channel... oops :o edit: OH MY GOD GUYS ITS 2:00 PM IN KOREA AND I JUST REACHED 1000 SUBS THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@teamune]

this was 4 days ago??? congrats on a whole nother 2000 subs???!!!!

[@haleykang8156]

@@teamune i know!!!! its so crazy still cant believe it

[@fatoumata930]

@@haleykang8156 you're at 3.5k now congrats!

[@Ray-vg9ly]

1 week and now at 4.88k?? wut how

[@reg6920]

10.1k DAMMMMN YOURE GROWING SO FAST

[@gloriyahboregah6384]

Writing these essays is super stressful. I feel like I can’t achieve anywhere near the level of fluidity and cohesiveness that some kids have in their writing. This helps though, thanks :)

[@chadchampion7985]

where did you go?

[@gloriyahboregah6384]

@@chadchampion7985 oh wow this was a long time ago. I’m a Senior at Carnegie Mellon now, turns out you don’t have to be a magician with your words as long as you can show you’ve got skills. In hindsight the college app essays were fairly trivial lol. I’m probably no better at writing a narrative about myself now than I was 4 years ago, but at least now I can say I know an embedded operating system like the back of my hand. Good luck!

[@cynthiawang9973]

loved your video!! as a rising senior, this is so helpful! loved that i found ur channel!!!!

[@haleykang8156]

ah thank you sm🥰🤧

[@ekt2656]

That professor kang intro was very endearing

[@haleykang8156]

hey it was supposed to be intimidating

[@cameronwoltje884]

This helps me so much! I was kinda worried that this would be another one of those "don't be surface-level, etc., etc." videos and articles that you see whenever you look this stuff up, but it really wasn't. The tips you gave were really fleshed out and are absolutely going to help me with my remaining apps

[@CareyWaye]

On the struggle bus over here. Students who are pursuing a BFA in musical theatre literally *have* to apply to 20 schools (especially females). You aren’t just applying for the university; you also have to audition and get into the musical theatre department. Basically...less than 1% of applicants get an offer for most schools. My daughter is applying to 20 schools and the essays are a beast. Especially because the MT student essays are surely filled with tons of cliches and repetition for the admissions people who are reading them.

[@cranjusmcballer]

I'm nearing the point where I'm actually really happy with my supplementals. My Yale application is due in 11 days (yikes) but I feel like all 7 of my essays are really me. Thanks, and wish me luck!

[@Spidermaninmybathtub]

Update if you get in!!!

[@cranjusmcballer]

@@armgord rejected 👍

[@frootylupus]

@@cranjusmcballerwhere did you end up going if you don’t mind me asking

[@Shruti-op1yv]

this. this is the brutal honesty we need

[@urao.o2340]

I love that "And I'm better than you".

[@haleykang8156]

just spitting straight facts

[@natalie5686]

THIS IS AMAZING, I NEEDED THIS SO BADLY!!! YOU GO GIRL, WITH VIDEOS LIKE THIS YOU ARE GOING F A R.

[@haleykang8156]

haha thanks so much!!

[@i.s.2590]

2.7k now!! congrats 🥺💕

[@haleykang8156]

thank you so much! :)

[@michaela6188]

WAIT I LOVE YOUR HAIR

[@haleykang8156]

ah thanks

[@benterhaar5989]

IS THIS JUST FOR WHY THIS SCHOOL ESSAYS??? Great content

[@flemous4688]

Lol

[@rachellin1549]

wow you’re so eloquent. please teach me your ways

[@maisan6234]

you are so smart and well put together thank you so much for making this scary experience a little more bearable

[@isadorazucker2110]

Your videos have been super super helpful, thank you so much!! I've kinda been struggling to find advice that isn't the generic "be creative" or "be specific", especially as a rising senior during corona where online resources are kinda all I got, but your tips have all really resonated with me and have actually helped me fix things in my essays/refine my college search process/etc, so thanks you :))

[@haleykang8156]

thank you so much!!! that’s honestly the goal of all my videos and i’m so happy you found my channel helpful!

[@avatheecapricorn]

your videos are a lifesaver rn🙏🏽 working on my supplementals now for Georgetown, Penn, and Villanova, thanks for the tips :)

[@haleykang8156]

thank you :'))))

[@rokiya9211]

Can I ask what school you got into ?

[@smartify5389]

really informative and straight to point, NO BS video. one word - underrated.

[@priyankap5312]

thank you so so much! i appreciate how direct and concise you are when giving advice, its really helpful as a rising senior :)

[@haleykang8156]

youre welcome!!!

[@rachell.smithhh]

u are a college app wizard ily ❤️

[@haleykang8156]

thank youuu :)

[@emilyg9008]

“I don’t think it’s humanly possible to research 20+ schools” Me applying to 18 cause musical theatre major 😗✌🏻

[@niginpun6337]

absolutely amazing! the starting thooo🤩😂🙌🏻 I'm reallyyyy looking forward to joining the UPenn community... I'd be more than grateful if you could do some videos on Upenn specifically!!

[@hanahyman167]

I'm writing my supplemental essays right now and this really helped me thank you!

[@alexsiatarquinii1027]

ahhh I am tooo #classof2023 good luck on ur apps!

[@rokiya9211]

Where do you go now ?

[@hanahyman167]

@@rokiya9211 I go to Franklin and Marshall College

[@rokiya9211]

@@hanahyman167 Nice !

[@hannahchu8394]

ayeee girly's close to 1000

[@haleykang8156]

I KNOW ITS SO EXCITING. thanks for being here for so long :')

[@wizhaa]

wew only one day and already hit 1k+ !!! niceu

[@haleykang8156]

i know!!! so crazy

[@mahrukh6153]

These days i am working on my college applications and your channel is of great help.. thankyou so much for such videos.. need more of these.🧡

[@haleykang8156]

aw glad it helped :)))

[@EduardoAndrade-z2x]

Thank you very much for the video, it is what I needed to help with my supplements. They were really very useful and thank you. Keep going!!! ​

[@kayabread1234]

thank you for the time stamps

[@haleykang8156]

haha no problem

[@DG-sk2nm]

YOU ARE SOO PRETTYYYY (GREAT VID THO)

[@tonyaleander4497]

Very helpful !! The one thing I def need to do is show continuity in my essay and congrats on 991 subs😊😊

[@haleykang8156]

thank you so much!! so excited😇😇

[@careytu578]

this helped so much thank u !! also ur v pretty aah

[@haleykang8156]

aw thank youu

[@reagancrabb8985]

i immediately liked when she said i am better than you. i knew i was gonna like her humor

[@nandimuchira1759]

Please do more videos about Supplemental Essays. A lot of the time when I try writing mine it feels like I'm telling the college stuff they already know (abt academics or clubs). I'm also not sure how to make the supplemental essay more MINE; mine sounds like anyone could have written it. If the clubs, cultures, and diversity are what I'm really looking forward to should I speak about the college in a more specific or general way? Random ex: (blah blah blah uni) has a plethora of clubs that I will... Or with the 473 clubs on campus, I will..... But sometimes when I'm more specific it seems as if I'm copying and pasting the home pages of their website... so idk ;/

[@thatoneguy2394]

Your videos are so helpful and you have a lovely personality :)

[@haleykang8156]

ah thank you!! :’)

[@denise7264]

...why do I feel like I'm watching a kelly stamps video 😭

[@haleykang8156]

lol i love kelly stamps so that may have influenced my intros a bit

[@lindsaypark3128]

Hi Haley! I’m so glad I found your channel! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and giving me hope for senior year. I’m applying ED to Penn’s School of Engineering so your info has been especially helpful!

[@haleykang8156]

aw you’re welcome!

[@isa-wl2wd]

thank you SO much! i just found your channel and it is saving me :)

[@haleykang8156]

:'))) makes me so happyy

[@isa-wl2wd]

​@@haleykang8156 hey its been a minute,, just wanted to let you know that thanks to your channel i made it into my first-choice school and will be going there in a few weeks :D thanks again !!

[@sonyataeva415]

not me watching this vid after I submitted all of my essays

[@sophiebrennan8141]

All of your videos are so helpful! As a rising senior, I am so thankful for all of your thorough information!

[@haleykang8156]

aw youre welcome!!

[@andreaonglw]

IM NOT FIRST BUT I TOOK THE TIME TO FINISH THE VIDEO THEN COMMENT

[@haleykang8156]

:')))))) THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@ojasgolyan4318]

your videos are sooo nice. They have helped me a lot. Thankyou!!!

[@haleykang8156]

you’re welcome!!!

[@viviennelin1901]

thank you so much for this video!! it was super helpful and you're so entertaining ahahah :)

[@haleykang8156]

thank you!!!!

[@nicolezengreads]

the SASS in the beginning 👑

[@haleykang8156]

😇😇🤧🤧 you know it

[@fatimazahrah3995]

This video was super helpful!! I have a ton of supplements to write in the next week. Thank youu!!

[@haleykang8156]

youre welcome :)))

[@alexanderbroose3027]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-lo5d7lKiFbpI

[@mikaela2488]

I love the intro 😂 Love that outfit too 💕

[@haleykang8156]

aw thank you!!

[@hayleygrace7351]

Question: when do you start writing your essays and when did you get a good "final draft" done by?

[@haleykang8156]

for the common app i started writing late july / early august and i was revising it all the way up to a few days before i submitted it. for the supplemental essays, i started 2-4 weeks before the deadline but i definitely recommend you start earlier than that. hope this helps!

[@hayleygrace7351]

@@haleykang8156 thank you so much queen 🥺💞

[@matthewgre]

You gained so many subs in the past day haha

[@haleykang8156]

ik and i’m kind of freaking out rn loll

[@tiffanynguyen5305]

These tips are great! When you talked about really knowing a school, do you have any advice on how to do research to get non-surface-level info?

[@haleykang8156]

i would just find every single website that has to do with that school. i literally went through every single club penn had and every link on their website lol

[@rishabhraj9859]

Kang the conqueror.

[@helenna3818]

The contents I need these days, thank you Haley I'm gonna hit that subscribe and follow ur instagram :)

[@haleykang8156]

:')))

[@luciaaa9643]

This was so helpful! I wish I'd seen it earlier so I wouldn't be stressing out rn ;-;

[@haleykang8156]

glad it helped :)

[@hansouljung]

thank you for the great video. however, what if the college's supplementary essay is about how you can benefit from the location of the college which is in the city?

[@valextines]

this was so so helpful thank you so much. penn is my dream and i really appreciate this

[@haleykang8156]

thank youuuuu

[@user-jj4dz2wt7i]

AHHH this was so helpful omg. tysm.

[@haleykang8156]

yayyy youre welcomee

[@LilyLovesLife7]

Your videos are helping me so much in writing my personal essay for grad school! Also haha where did you get your glasses?

[@alexanderbroose3027]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-lo5d7lKiFbpI

[@SamoPodcast]

great backgound music

[@ashleydenchfield9675]

you are so amazing thank you for doing this

[@haleykang8156]

youre welcomeee

[@EstherOgunfeyitimi-gz3sg]

Hiii I need your help I am an international student applying for early decision and I've gotten nowhere with my application process

[@purpleflowersz33]

For the "why this school" essay, what if I'm interested in doing foreign exchange, traveling abroad pretty much? Should I stick with what will I do on campus in that college?

[@haleykang8156]

you can definitely mention it but personally, i wouldn't make it a big point since if you do a foreign exchange you would literally be attending a different school for that time period lol

[@notgriffinn]

Haley my essay is so bad.

[@haleykang8156]

i’m sorry :(

[@mktheace]

this helped so much!

[@haleykang8156]

yayyyy

[@awesomenessaf]

you make wonderful videos! thank you

[@haleykang8156]

aw thanks!!

[@imagine_8681]

Is there a way I can contact you about my college essay and about how you do college essay readings?

[@emiliasantana272]

Look at all your subscribers!

[@haleykang8156]

I KNOW!!!

[@djmilkman6550]

hi i’m not sure if you’ve talked about this before in other videos but i’m stressed about what to do if i’m undecided or if my majors are a new found passion. i’m an officer for both stuco & my theatre troupe in high school but i want to major in psychology, sociology, education, or something to do with sustainability. things like that. but i feel like nothing i did in high school really connects together & im still unsure of a career choice that fits me best , so i’m confused on how to show colleges what i’m passionate about. pls help !!

[@haleykang8156]

you don't need to talk about ecs to show youre passionate about something! i think you can definitely pull personal experiences to explain why you want to major in something!

[@tuulonyoutube2226]

Thank you, Haley.

[@liamh1604]

UH OH my common app was about debate 😅😅😅😅 but it was bout calvin and Hobbes too , so maybe i am fine

[@jiwonsuh3497]

wow you are a lifesaver thank you so much

[@haleykang8156]

you're welcomeee

[@cristaa.7706]

This was so helpful thank you!!!

[@gumguy9935]

Video starts at 4:31

[@justrandomthoughtslolbye5385]

Thank you!

[@Lily-fu4sj]

ok but girl where are your glasses from? they're so cute

[@haleykang8156]

haha they’re from a chain in korea

[@wafabhayani7815]

would talking about the specific connections that the certain school brings to a certain metroplex in which i would like to work in be a good supplemental topic?

[@haleykang8156]

i personally would just focus on the school but i dont think it would be a problem if the connection youre talking about is specific to the school youre talking about and not to other ones in the area

[@wafabhayani7815]

haley kang thanks for replying you’re the best!!

[@hoseokandsansblackgf4676]

so for the "don't be too academic" advice, would you recommend us write about solely academics in the 1st penn essay, then social life in the community essay since penn provides two essays for both?

[@elizabethkubler6731]

Would it be good to talk about how that school is very competitive compared to others in my state and that it will provide me with more rigor and better prepare me for the mcat and medical school

[@haleykang8156]

i wouldnt. why talk about how good your school is if you can talk about how great you are. also meat and mec school is too far down the line in my opinion and i don’t think you should focus on how well you would do if you go to said school. you should talk about how you would meaningfully contribute to the school

[@elizabethkubler6731]

haley kang thank you! I’m still stuck on that part. It sounds kind of dumb but I just genuinely don’t know how to say what I could bring to the school and contribute. The only thing that really stand out about me is my connection to medicine and caring for my grandfather with Alzheimer’s. I don’t have anything else really and I don’t think any of that contributes to the school if that makes sense

[@Ethan-um7cp]

​@@elizabethkubler6731 I think you can express a desire to be around other motivated students, in a community that is engaged with the process, and how you can both contribute to it, and thrive in it based on your qualities. Don't put the school, or program, on a pedestal and come off as status seeking. You can incorporate the concepts you mention without sounding shallow. Good luck, you got this.

[@cravefame]

hi i’m in 8th grade going into highschool next year, do you have any tips on how to get good grades?

[@haleykang8156]

i honestly was not the best studier so i don't think im the best example lol

[@cravefame]

haley kang oh okay, thank you anyway lol

[@leslyvail-ramirez9001]

I just found your channel and you seem so helpful❤️❤️❤️

[@haleykang8156]

thank youuuu

[@azurawhyte3516]

But what if I really like MUN, haley? Can I still put it In my WHY essay?

[@haleykang8156]

you totally can. i never said not to include anything academic related! i was just saying that i personally think its a good idea to also integrate non academic interests and “whys” into the essay!

[@miagwaipaul]

do you read rough drafts & give advice? can i share my google doc with you?

[@haleykang8156]

watch me newest vid to find out!

[@miagwaipaul]

haley kang ahhh i just saw your comment now!! is it okay that i missed the deadline?

[@rabeakahkahni6077]

What if the context is provided in another essay? Cause I feel like all my essays are connected

[@atheekazmi3293]

Hi Haley! Have you deferred to the class of 2021 at UPenn?

[@haleykang8156]

nope i’m in college right now!

[@melodia4015]

Really helpful!!!! Awww like it so much~~

[@haleykang8156]

aw thank you!

[@reeserahman4821]

Hey professor! As far as the “why here” question goes, would an essay about the energy and overall vibe I felt as I toured the school be too surface level, since whoever toured in person could do that?

[@gabrielleh2767]

I know it's unrelated to this video but could I send you my personal statement/ common app essay for you to review please? I really appreciate all the advice you have been giving us and how straightforward you are especially sinec you are a well experienced student who has undergone all these sturggles.

[@joannesarsam9557]

thank you for these tips! i was wondering, for one of the supplemental for Stanford it asks about what subject sparks genuine interest in me. I’m planning to be a bio major but I wanted to write this essay about I topic I studied for fun as a child instead. do u think this would be a good idea or should I focus on my bio interests for this essay?

[@haleykang8156]

i love that. i think you should talk about the childhood topic! if you think you’re more passionate about that than bio i would totally go for it because i think what the app readers really care about seeing in the essay is you truly caring and being interested in a topic. long story short,i don’t think the readers are looking for you to talk about a specific topic

[@joannesarsam9557]

haley kang okay thank you so much! you’re videos have been a great help as I don’t have a counselor or anything, thank you for being so straightforward and helpful. i wish you all the best at penn!

[@majhokkandq217]

hello, thanks so much for the tips, I have greatly learned from them. Would you mind having a look at my essays before I submit them?

[@nguyendang6178]

Idk if it has something to do with the glasses but she’s so cute lol

[@zacharyertengrass892]

Thank you professor. May I have another?

[@haleykang8156]

lol

[@nicolemarban1319]

Not me watching this after applying to 7 colleges NSNDJSMMDKDK HELP

[@hexiaodan2765]

Hi! Do you still help review essays?😭😭😭 can you help edit mine?

[@reecescheiber2003]

the closed captions... Im so confused LOL

[@yanmengli6934]

Where did you study before going to college?

[@zuzu-he1ep]

do you review supplements / common app essays for a fee? or do we just need to send it to an email?

[@haleykang8156]

sorry i stopped editing essays for free because i got too many submissions and i don't think my advice is worth money lol

[@jambohanumsp3684]

You're my fave

[@haleykang8156]

no youre my fav :)

[@SwagMaster223]

HELP ME SOMEONE I HAVE A WRITING TEST, WHAT US HTBT?? GOOGLE JUST TELLS ME STUFF ABOUT COTTON

[@paleeshaparwani9844]

1000th viewer. omg.

[@haleykang8156]

haha congrats

[@billyscott4281]

wait so like what kind of research should i do to find this sort of information.. it sounds like we need to find some specific details that we’re interested in. like for example BU has a strong dedication to diversity, could I talk about that?

[@billyscott4281]

diversity/inclusion is something i’m super passionate about, so that’s why i’m thinking of it

[@haleykang8156]

i think you can definitely include it but i wouldn't make it a main driving point in your essay since a lotttt of colleges say they prioritize diversity.

[@billyscott4281]

@@haleykang8156 so like what are examples of specific things I should look for that aren't at a lot of colleges

[@billyscott4281]

@@haleykang8156 obv it depends on school-by-school basis but generally

[@nishauprety9878]

Very thorough and why in your explanations and and tying it into a storyline. This is the best I have heard on u-tube! What was your email- I will use you for my apps! All that speech and debate experience is really working for you and you speak from your heart!

[@moon.c3282]

So helpful