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Five days out from the end of the ideal submission window.
At this point, your primary app should feel pretty close to done. You’ve probably read it out loud (if not, go do that). But here’s one more move we use all the time at Asclepius Advising — and it works:
Not on your laptop. Not in Google Docs. We mean actual paper and pen. You slow down differently when something’s in front of you on the page. You notice awkward phrasing. You catch weird tone shifts. You see what feels forced or flat.
We do this with almost every applicant in their final round of editing. Why? Because your application is more than a checklist. It’s a story. And when you hold that story in your hands, you get a better sense of what you’re really saying.
Here’s how to do it:
This isn’t about rewriting everything. It’s about listening to your own story and getting honest about what’s working and what isn’t. You’ll probably come away with just a handful of edits. But they’ll be the right ones.
You’ve come this far. Don’t let final polish be an afterthought.
Want help tightening your final draft? We’ve opened up 45-minute polish sessions!
Book a session here
Tomorrow: Day 4 — what “Most Meaningful” is actually supposed to do, and how to write one that hits.
At this point, your primary app should feel pretty close to done. You’ve probably read it out loud (if not, go do that). But here’s one more move we use all the time at Asclepius Advising — and it works:
Not on your laptop. Not in Google Docs. We mean actual paper and pen. You slow down differently when something’s in front of you on the page. You notice awkward phrasing. You catch weird tone shifts. You see what feels forced or flat.
We do this with almost every applicant in their final round of editing. Why? Because your application is more than a checklist. It’s a story. And when you hold that story in your hands, you get a better sense of what you’re really saying.
Here’s how to do it:
- Print your personal statement, Work & Activities, and Most Meaningfuls.
- Sit at a clean table with a pen — no phone, no music, no distractions.
- Underline sentences that feel strong — moments that clearly reflect who you are.
- Circle the stuff that feels off — where your voice doesn’t sound like you.
- Write quick margin notes — “cut?” “rework?” “strong?” “too vague?” “not sure.”
This isn’t about rewriting everything. It’s about listening to your own story and getting honest about what’s working and what isn’t. You’ll probably come away with just a handful of edits. But they’ll be the right ones.
You’ve come this far. Don’t let final polish be an afterthought.
Want help tightening your final draft? We’ve opened up 45-minute polish sessions!
Book a session here
Tomorrow: Day 4 — what “Most Meaningful” is actually supposed to do, and how to write one that hits.
