The E-Factor: The Missing Element in 90% of Rejected Essays
Part 4 of the VIBE Framework: E is for Evolution
Hey friend,
You know what’s at the heart of every great story?
Change.
Today, we're diving into the final (and most powerful) part of the VIBE Framework: Evolution!
Popcorn Time
Think about your favorite movie. How did the main character change from the beginning to the end?
Take my favorite movie, The Devil Wears Prada:
Andy Sachs (played by the lovely Anne Hathaway) starts out naive and kinda frumpy, struggling at her new fashion job. By the end, she’s confident, self-aware, and true to herself. Woohoo!
Or think about Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse:
Miles Morales starts off unsure and overwhelmed, struggling to control his new powers. But by the end, he stops copying others and moves with confidence, making his mark as Spider-Man.
This weekend, I encourage you to rewatch your favorite movie or pick a new one. As you watch, pay attention to how the main character evolves. What choices or challenges shaped their journey?
Transformation is the heart of a great story. Without it, essays fall flat and usually end up in the rejection pile.
"Becoming is better than being."
– Carol Dweck
Back to Essays
Like great movies, your essays should show how you’ve grown. We’ve already talked about values, identity, and beliefs. Now, it’s time to show how one (or more) of those elements have changed over time.
What Sparks Growth?
Growth usually starts with a spark, something that challenges you to see differently or become more.
Here are four common catalysts:
Failure: Growing through a setback that forced you to reevaluate and adapt.
Relationships: Changing because someone challenged or shaped you.
Self-Realization: Discovering something important about who you are or what you believe.
Responsibility: Evolving through a new role that pushed you to step up and grow.
Which one resonates most with you?
For me, it was definitely failure. I ran for president of my high school’s theater club but lost (big time). However, that experience taught me that real leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up no matter what.
Common Pitfalls
Before we wrap up, I want to emphasize: not every change story lands well. Here are two common traps to watch out for:
The "Complete Transformation" Myth:
Don’t portray your evolution as finished. Colleges are looking for students who are still learning, still curious.
The Passive Evolution:
Don’t act like growth just happened to you. Show the choices you made, the risks you took, and the questions you asked.
Bringing It All Together
Over the past few weeks, we’ve built the VIBE Framework together:
Values: What you care about
Identity: Who you are
Beliefs: How you think
Evolution: How you've grown
These pieces are powerful on their own, but even stronger together. They tell a story only you can tell.
And now at the end, I’m happy to say that the VIBE Framework is no longer mine—it’s yours.
Take this framework and make it your own. I can't wait to see where your story takes you.
Cheers,
May
P.S. Next week, I’ll be sharing a real student essay that shows how the VIBE Framework comes to life, so you can see exactly how all the pieces fit together. Stay tuned!
As always, thanks for reading.
Hit reply and let me know what you found most helpful this week.
I’d love to hear from you.