Ryan Abramson: How This Bucks County Expert Helps Students Master the College Essay Process - More from Oakridge Leaders

Why You Are Struggling With Your Common App Personal Statement: What You See as Ordinary Can Be Extraordinary to a College Admissions Rep;

How to Get Started with Ryan Abramson at Oakridge Leaders

Every year, thousands of high school seniors from places like Bucks County and Philadelphia wrestle with their Common App personal statements. The process usually begins with a visit to the Common App website, where the list of essay prompts presents both inspiration and potential pitfalls.

For example:

• “When did you challenge an idea?” — What if you agree with the idea and feel uncertain about your stance?

• “Reflect on someone who has made you happy.” — Does this sound like bragging?

• “What’s a lesson from an obstacle you faced?” — What if your life hasn’t involved significant adversity?

  
  

Many students, perhaps even you, find themselves searching for the perfect answer to questions that thousands of others are also tackling. This leads to the common struggle: how do I stand out?

So, How Do You Stand Out?

The key is to approach your essay by focusing not only on what you want to say but how you want the reader to feel. Consider your audience: a college admissions counselor, likely reading late at night in a hotel room somewhere after a long day of meetings with prospective students. How can you capture their attention? How can you make them feel something memorable?

Embrace the Ordinary

You don’t need a dramatic crisis to write an extraordinary essay. In fact, the most compelling essays often focus on the ordinary moments that reveal who you are. When you focus on these everyday experiences, you allow your authenticity to shine through.

Ryan Abramson of Oakridge Leaders, based in Bucks County, specializes in helping students in the Philadelphia area transform their ordinary moments into extraordinary essays. Through his guidance, students discover how to tell their unique stories in a way that resonates with admissions officers.

Let’s take the example of Kevin, one of Ryan’s students. Kevin had everything on paper: excellent grades, plenty of activities, volunteer work, and athletic involvement. But so did many other students. How could he stand out?

The answer came in the form of his mom’s cooking. Kevin’s essay wasn’t about a tragedy or overcoming a huge obstacle—it was about his mom preparing dinner every night for a family of seven, often at different times due to conflicting schedules. Kevin’s mom juggled a full-time job, parenting, and driving kids to various activities, yet always managed to create meals that were delicious whether they were eaten fresh out of the oven or reheated hours later.

Kevin’s essay wasn’t just about his mom’s cooking—it was about what her meals taught him about life:

• Work hard, even when tired – Kevin learned that success in school, like cooking, requires effort and persistence.

• Adaptability is key – Just as his mom managed multiple tasks, Kevin learned to pivot and adjust when faced with unexpected challenges.

• Creativity in the face of constraints – Like his mom coming up with creative meals, Kevin applied innovative thinking in sports and academics.

By focusing on something as simple as family dinners, Kevin was able to convey important aspects of his character in a memorable, heartfelt way. His closing line tied it all together: “I will bring all my ingredients to ____ University, mix them with the community, and, like my mom, create something amazing and new.”

Let Oakridge Leaders Help You Uncover Your Story

Ryan Abramson at Oakridge Leaders works with students from Bucks County and Philadelphia to craft essays just like Kevin’s—essays that don’t rely on major crises but instead show college admissions officers the extraordinary in the everyday. Whether you're a high school senior staring at a blank screen or someone struggling to connect with a particular prompt, Ryan and Oakridge Leaders will help you uncover your unique story.

At Oakridge Leaders, we believe that the key to a standout essay lies within your everyday life. Don’t underestimate the power of your ordinary experiences—they can make all the difference in showing a college admissions counselor who you really are.

Ready to get started? Ryan Abramson, founder of Oakridge Leaders, is here to help you unlock your potential and turn your common story into something extraordinary.

If you're ready to craft an unforgettable college essay, connect with Ryan Abramson and Oakridge Leaders in Bucks County, serving students from Philadelphia and beyond. Don’t wait—your extraordinary story is waiting to be told.