The two stars go in honor of the questions asked early in the book, which do suggest many useful things to include in your statement. Very quickly, however, the book takes a one-way street that only the extreme cases can follow. The example essays include people who have escaped the communist regime of Cuba, been haunted by the Russian KGB, lived in a car, and an Olympic Skier. If you do have an extreme tear-jerker for the academy, buy this book--but that is the only style of essay discussed. If you happen to be among the average applicants, though, and you trying to get an edge, this may not be the right place to look. I am applying to Public Health school, and found more useful info in a book on getting into Law schools. I would suggest checking out the Degree of Difference Series over this book.