May 16, 2019
Brittany Stinson gained popularity due to her outstanding college essay about Costco. She could be enrolled at five Ivy League universities, Stanford University, and some other prestigious educational institutions thanks to this paper. Many journalists wanted to understand what the secret of the young author’s success was. Here is Brittany’s interview with answers to the most important questions that relate to academic and creative writing.
The Reaction Of The Mass Media To Costco Essay
After writing such a successful work, Brittany met a lot of criticism. Many bloggers and journalists appreciated the talent and creativity of the girl. However, there were many people who considered the success of the essay exaggerated and undeserved. Brittany considers it unfair that many people think that entering a prestigious university is the merit only of Costco, and not of the girl herself. Many trolls write that the correctly chosen topic was the only reason for entering Stanford University. The young author says that she worked a lot on herself in order to become a strong writer and erudite person. She spent four years to study many textbooks and improve her skills in many scientific disciplines.
In addition, Brittany spent a lot of time searching for the right topic. The girl has repeatedly stated that in addition to textbooks, she reads many blogs in order to find relevant topics and interesting writing styles. Of course, the Costco theme also played a huge role in this situation. Brittany Stinson will share all the details of creating her paper in this interview.
Interview with Brittany Stinson
- When did you start working on your paper?
I started working on the essay in early August before my graduating class. At first, I opened an empty Word document and started writing absolutely all my ideas. Thus, I was able to evaluate all potential topics and select the most relevant ones. I got rid of unnecessary ideas and focused only on important themes.
- How did you feel while working on your essay?
I felt very insecure and scared. I did not know if the selection committee would appreciate my Costco common app essay. I wondered if I had chosen the proper theme and whether it would not turn out to be too creative.
- What was the most difficult thing for you in the process of working on the text?
The limit of words and topics was the main problem for me. I wanted to tell as much as possible about myself in 650 words essay. I had to restrain and control myself.
- Please tell us about the special features of your approach to creating an essay. What techniques did you use?
In fact, I started working on two essays simultaneously. Having written out all the relevant topics, I chose the two most interesting ones for me. At first, I wanted to tell about my experience in dancing. However, then I thought that I could tell about it later. I needed to continue working on the original theme.
- In your opinion, are you a strong writer?
Yes, I think I have good writing skills. While studying at school, I always worked on myself and took many additional courses on advanced writing.
- Why did you choose this topic?
I think that Costco characterizes me very well. My friends constantly joke on me that I live there. The fact is that I really spend a lot of time in Costco. I visit it every weekend with my parents.
- Have you ever written about yourself before?
No, this is my first experience in writing a paper about myself. This situation created some discomfort. I was constantly afraid to write something extra.
- Did you turn to someone for help in the process of creating your work?
No, I wrote this paper absolutely myself. I asked my mom for advice on choosing a topic, but she did not understand the direction in which I wanted to work. Then I decided to show my materials to someone only after I would finish the work on the essay. I showed the final version of the paper to my English teacher. She approved it, and I began to hope for success.
- What recommendations regarding essay writing can you give to applicants preparing for admission?
I advise you to use short, simple sentences. This technique will help reduce some tension. Such a text is perceived very easily. By the way, this is quite a difficult task. I corrected my essay several times to get perfect simple sentences.
- Which educational institution have you chosen?
It was difficult to choose one institute or college since they are the best universities in the world. I opted for Stanford. The fact is that I was attracted by the innovative spirit of this university. Most of the educational institutions are faithful to the traditions that are outdated. Stanford is famous for its medical school, but apart from that, there is an excellent base for the study of humanities. I am interested in neuroscience, but besides that, I want to develop myself in many humanitarian areas too.
- How to find the perfect essay topic?
First of all, you need to be yourself, feel yourself and understand which topic is the closest to your personality. Find the thing that characterizes you to the fullest.
Costco College Essay Analysis
Managing to break free from my mother’s grasp, I charged. With arms flailing and chubby legs fluttering beneath me, I was the ferocious two year old rampaging through Costco on a Saturday morning. My mother’s eyes widened in horror as I jettisoned my churro; the cinnamon sugar rocket gracefully sliced its way through the air while I continued my spree. I sprinted through the aisles, looking up in awe at the massive bulk products that towered over me. Overcome with wonder, I wanted to touch and taste, to stick my head into industrial sized freezers, to explore every crevice. I was a conquistador, but rather than searching the land for El Dorado, I scoured aisles for free samples. Before inevitably being whisked away into a shopping cart, I scaled a mountain of plush toys and surveyed the expanse that lay before me: the kingdom of Costco.
Notorious for its oversized portions and dollar fifty hot dog combo, Costco is the apex of consumerism. From the days spent being toted around in a shopping cart to when I was finally tall enough to reach lofty sample trays, Costco has endured a steady presence throughout my life. As a veteran Costco shopper, I navigate the aisles of foodstuffs, thrusting the majority of my weight upon a generously filled shopping cart whose enormity juxtaposes my small frame. Over time, I’ve developed a habit of observing fellow patrons tote their carts piled with frozen burritos, cheese puffs, tubs of ice cream, and weight loss supplements. Perusing the aisles gave me time to ponder. Who needs three pounds of sour cream? Was cultured yogurt any more well mannered than its uncultured counterpart? Costco gave birth to my unfettered curiosity.
While enjoying an obligatory hot dog, I did not find myself thinking about the ‘all beef’ goodness that Costco boasted. I instead considered finitudes and infinitudes, unimagined uses for tubs of sour cream, the projectile motion of said tub when launched from an eighty foot shelf or maybe when pushed from a speedy cart by a scrawny seventeen year old. I contemplated the philosophical: If there exists a thirty-three ounce jar of Nutella, do we really have free will? I experienced a harsh physics lesson while observing a shopper who had no evident familiarity of inertia's workings. With a cart filled to overflowing, she made her way towards the sloped exit, continuing to push and push while steadily losing control until the cart escaped her and went crashing into a concrete column, 52’’ plasma screen TV and all. Purchasing the yuletide hickory smoked ham inevitably led to a conversation between my father and me about Andrew Jackson’s controversiality. There was no Questioning Old Hickory’s dedication; he was steadfast in his beliefs and pursuits - qualities I am compelled to admire, yet his morals were crooked. We both found the ham to be more likeable-and tender.
I adopted my exploratory skills, fine tuned by Costco, towards my intellectual endeavors. Just as I sampled buffalo chicken dip or chocolate truffles, I probed the realms of history, dance and biology-, all in pursuit of the ideal cart-one overflowing with theoretical situations and notions both silly and serious. I sampled calculus, cross-country running, scientific research, all of which are now household favorites. With cart in hand, I do what scares me; I absorb the warehouse that is the world. Whether it be through attempting aerial yoga, learning how to chart blackbody- radiation using astronomical software, or dancing in front of hundreds of people, lam compelled to try any- activity that interests me in the slightest.
My intense desire to know, to explore beyond the bounds of rational thought; this is what defines me. Costco fuels my insatiability and cultivates curiosity within me at a cellular level. Encoded to immerse myself in the unknown, I find it difficult to complacently accept the “what I want to hunt for the “whys” and dissect the “how ’s” In essence, I subsist on discovery.
The Secret of the Costco Essay Success
Many experts unanimously argue that the main reason for the success of this work is in the correctly chosen topic. People often write essays about themselves for different purposes, for example, for admission to a college or university, or to get the desired job. However, the majority of candidates use some standard form and write boring, similar to each other papers. Brittany knew about such a problem and set herself the task of finding something more original and interesting. The fact is that the selection committee works with thousands of papers every year. They weed out banal, patterned texts. Brittany chose a topic that no one had written about before. It interested the admissions offices of many universities. The girl showed her personality and creativity in this way.
Paper Theme
Brittany Stinson described not only shopping in Costco; she compared this process with her lifestyle. The girl wrote that she always wanted to know about the latest discounts and promotional offers. After reading this statement, members of the selection committee immediately realized that Brittany was a very goal-oriented person. It relates to the acquisition of new knowledge as well as receiving discounts. In addition, the language of this young writer is very rich and colorful. The literacy of her speech is impeccable.
The Tone of the Text
Brittany Stinson was able to combine humor and earnestness in her essay. As mentioned earlier, ordinary, boring essays do not interest anyone today. The creative approach helped the student succeed. She describes herself as a child with plump legs, creating a comic effect, but at the same time, she was positioning herself as a single-minded person.
The Quality of Writing
Brittany Stinson demonstrated excellent writing skills in her essay. She did not just describe what was happening – she showed it. Going through this text, Readers could feel some effect of presence. Besides, the applicant showed how skillfully she could use various writing techniques. Her text is filled with humor. The essay begins with a joke. This is a kind of hook, which catches the attention of readers. In addition, the writer was able to combine such a comic tone and simplicity with serious academic writing. Despite the fact that the text is replete with simple, short sentences, you can find a lot of complex terms in it. Do not forget that the admission essay belongs to the academic style. Therefore, you should not turn your paper into a complete joke.
How to Write a Good Essay
The main purpose of this text is to convince the members of the admissions committee that you are the best candidate who should be preferred. With the help of an essay, you can establish communication with the members of the admissions committee. In order for this communication to be successful, you should know what the target audience is expecting from you, what exactly you want to receive from the process of studying at the university, and be able to tell about the unique qualities that make you special.
Let us tell more about what it is better not to write in an admission essay. First, try to avoid clichés and sentences that do not carry any important information. Secondly, the essay should complement the impression of the selection committee about you, and not give them the same information that they can read in the resume.
In addition, avoid dangerous, ambiguous topics. Refrain from expressing opinions about politics or religion, especially if your point of view is too different from the standard one. Use simple words and sentences. Do not complicate the reader’s perception of the text. Moreover, most importantly, do not write a too long text.
Present the most interesting facts at the beginning of the text. Try to put them in such an order that shows your development both in a personal and professional way. Divide your text into paragraphs. Make each paragraph of your paper a mini-story. The introduction is exactly the part of the essay that should force the reader to read your work to the end. Make it interesting. Use quotes, and unusual facts.
The conclusion is a very important part of the paper too. It should leave a positive impression of you. Edit your work in several steps. First, write the text, read it after 2-3 days, and later check it for grammatical and spelling mistakes and correct them.
