Introduction
During my time in Berkeley admissions, I used to describe reviewing essays as a bit of a "vibe check." With the sheer volume of applications we process individually - and that an institution like Berkeley handles as a whole - you don't get as much time per essay as you'd ideally want. Also each part of the application gets factored in holistically, without specific point values assigned to essay criteria.
My "vibe check" description was also my way of acknowledging how admissions can feel ambiguous and frustratingly inconclusive - a sentiment I know many students and families share.
That's why I'm excited to share something I've been working on: my own College Essay "Vibe Check" Assessment. This time, each section corresponds to specific parts of the essay review process, with measurable criteria students and counselors can actually evaluate against.
This Week's Insight
Most students edit their essays backward. They polish grammar and focus on word count so early when they should doing the opposite by asking fundamental questions about who they are and actually generating more QUALITY content before deciding what areas to focus on.
The College Essay VIBE Check Framework gives you four specific areas to evaluate before you worry about comma placement or word optimization. Each letter corresponds to what admissions officers are actually looking for when we read thousands of essays:
V - VOICE (Authenticity)
I - INSIGHT (Self-Awareness)
B - BELIEVABLE (Concrete Evidence)
E - ENGAGING (Memorability)
Think of this as your diagnostic tool. Instead of wondering "Is this good enough?" you can ask specific questions that help you identify exactly what needs work!
P.S. Shoutout to my students for briefing this unc on 6 7 😂 so of course I had to make 6️⃣7️⃣ the ultimate score in my VIBE check rubric for essay review, with measurable criteria and examples from my previous actual student essays to evaluate against!
If any student gets that it would actually be most goated, iconic AND authentic (no cap) essay that not just hits different but slays different While I hope to read an essay that reaches that standard, the real value lies in striving toward it. Even if you fall short of 67, you'll still end up with one of the strongest essays I or any admissions officer have ever read 🐐🤩💯😎
Good luck, and please read on for practical suggestions on working your way toward that ultimate score!
This Week's Reflection
For those of you already starting to draft application essays, read one aloud and ask yourself: "Does this sound like me having a genuine conversation with someone I trust about something I care about? Or does it sound like someone else entirely?"
Your honest answer will tell you whether you need to focus on voice first, or if you're ready to dig into the other elements.
This Week's Action Step
Run your current draft through the VIBE Check questions:
VOICE: Authenticity Check
- If I recorded myself reading this essay aloud, would it sound like me talking naturally? Admissions officers read thousands of essays and immediately notice when students use artificial language. Natural voice builds trust and connection, while forced formality creates distance and suggests the essay may be heavily coached or AI-assisted.
- Am I using vocabulary I'd never say in real conversation just to sound "impressive"? Overly sophisticated vocabulary may signal insecurity about your natural intelligence. Students who sound like themselves while discussing complex ideas demonstrate genuine confidence and maturity.
- Where do I sound most unlike myself, and what phrases make those sections feel forced? Inconsistent voice within an essay is a red flag that content may be borrowed from other sources or heavily edited by adults. Authentic voice remains consistent throughout, even when discussing serious topics.
INSIGHT: Self-Awareness Check
- Am I explaining HOW I think differently now, or just listing WHAT I learned? Surface-level lessons ("hard work pays off") suggest limited self-reflection, while explaining your thought process changes shows intellectual curiosity and emotional maturity that predicts college success.
- Would my closest friend be surprised by what I'm revealing about yourself here? If your insight isn't new information to people who know you well, it's likely too obvious. Admissions officers want to discover something about your internal world they couldn't learn from your activities list or grades.
- Where am I describing "what happened" without digging into "why it changed me personally"? Event summaries don't differentiate you from other applicants with similar experiences. Personal meaning-making shows how you'll process and grow from college challenges.
BELIEVABLE: Evidence Check
- If someone had to fact-check this story, what specific details could they actually verify? Vague descriptions raise credibility questions, while concrete details (names, dates, exact quotes) demonstrate genuine experience. Admissions officers need to trust that your stories actually happened as described.
- Am I making claims about my growth without showing concrete examples of that change? Telling admissions officers you're "more confident" means nothing without evidence. Showing how your behavior actually changed gives them confidence you'll contribute meaningfully to their campus community.
- What would help a reader actually picture this happening rather than just believe it happened? Vivid scenes allow admissions officers to feel present in your experience, creating emotional connection that makes your application memorable during committee discussions.
ENGAGING: Memorability Check
- Would another student with my same experience write something completely different? If your essay follows predictable patterns (sports injury → resilience, mission trip → perspective), you blend into the pile. Unique angles on common experiences help you stand out even with familiar topics.
- What parts of my essay could describe dozens of other students' stories? Generic sections dilute your distinctiveness. Admissions officers discuss memorable essays in committee meetings - they need specific details that help them advocate for you as an individual.
- What would make an admissions officer remember this essay three days later? With hundreds of essays to review, only truly distinctive stories stick. Memorable doesn't mean dramatic - it means revealing something unexpected about how your mind works or what you value.
Your task: Pick the area where you feel like you need the most work and focus your next revision session entirely on that element. Don't try to fix everything at once!
Ways to Support This Work
📚 Join Our Berkeley Essay Workshop: Like with the college-pleasing diagnostic, just identifying what needs work isn't enough. While it's a crucial first step - you can't scale a mountain you don't know exists - the main question remains: HOW do I fix these issues in a way that's authentic to me?
To continue answering that question, I'm inviting my friend Andy Nguyen (Senior Assistant Director at UC Berkeley) back for our second webinar on October 5th. This session will focus exclusively on essay-specific admissions strategies, diving into the practical "how-to" behind each element of the VIBE Check.
What we'll cover:
- Deep dive into the VIBE Check Framework - I'll walk through each section in detail with practical exercises you can do independently to generate high-quality content for voice, insight, believability, and engagement
- Live essay analysis - Andy and I will review published "essays that worked" from online sources, providing our insider perspective on both the essays themselves AND critiquing the feedback other consultants have shared about them
- Roasting my own UCLA admissions essays that "worked" (I guess?) - I'll be sharing and analyzing my actual 2012 UCLA application essays, which are absolutely hilarious looking back on them. This will be both entertaining and educational as we dissect what worked, what didn't, and what I wish I'd known back then 🫣
And more! If you're interested in joining us for this comprehensive session, simply reply to this email and I'll send you the details!
💝 Optional Support: These newsletter resources take time to research and create, but they'll always remain free for students who need them. If you've found this guidance valuable and would like to help keep it accessible to everyone, you can contribute on a pay-what-you-wish basis. Every contribution helps us continue providing these insights to families navigating this journey.
Remember: Admissions officers want to understand who you are, not be impressed by who you think you should be. The VIBE Check helps you get there.
