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COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN AN ESSAY. Something about you

Audrey
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COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP

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    1. COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP

    3. THREE KINDS OF ESSAY QUESTIONS THE “YOU” QUESTION: Many colleges ask for an essay that boils down to, "Tell us about yourself." The school just wants to know you better and see how you'll introduce yourself. THE “WHY US” QUESTION Some schools ask for an essay about your choice of a school or career. They're looking for information about your goals, and about how serious your commitment is to this particular school. THE CREATIVE QUESTION Some colleges evaluate you through your choice of some tangential item: a national issue, a famous person, what you would put in a time capsule, a photograph. Here the school is looking at your creativity and the breadth of your knowledge and education. *Taken from www.collegeboard.com

    4. WHERE DO I BEGIN? Start with defining who you are and what you want the colleges to know about you. Who are you? What qualities do you have? Brainstorm all your strengths. Be sure to use adjectives not actions. Examples: Generous, dedicated, tolerant, even tempered, hard working, genuine, patient, bright, athletic, cultural, shy, enthusiastic Take 3-5 minutes to brainstorm.

    5. TYING IT TOGETHER Highlight top 5 adjectives and connect the adjectives to an activity or example. Example: I am genuine: I never let a social group influence my personality or how I treat people. I am tolerant: I took part in the disability awareness day and had an opportunity to support the students in Ms. Burton’s class. I am resilient: When I got cut from the soccer team, I didn’t put my head down, rather sought out cross country and had an awesome experience.

    6. WORK ON AN OUTLINE Start putting together a story about yourself using your adjectives and experiences. Work on a draft essay.

    7. EDIT, EDIT, EDIT Take a break from your work and come back to it in a few days. Does your main idea come across clearly? Do you prove your points with specific details? Is your essay easy to read aloud? Feedback Time: Have someone you like and trust read your essay (but is willing to tell you the truth). Ask them to tell you what they think you're trying to convey. Did they get it right?

    8. EDIT, EDIT, EDIT, CONT. Edit Down: Your language should be simple, direct, and clear. Make every word count (e.g., if you wrote "in society today," consider changing that to "now"). Proofread Two More Times: Careless spelling or grammatical errors, awkward language, or fuzzy logic will make your essay memorable—in a bad way. Taken from www.collegeboard.com

    9. HELPFUL VIDEOS AND WEBSITES ON COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING http://www.5min.com/Video/College-Essay-Tips---How-to-Start-155907672 http://www.5min.com/Video/What-Makes-a-Great-College-Essay-228000606 http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/ http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/  http://www.teenink.com/college_guide/college_essays/   http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page21.html    

    10. COLLEGE PROMPTS

    11. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK 1. All first-year students at the University of Maryland read one book together as part of our First Year Book program. This year’s book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot explores one individual’s unknowing gift to humanity. In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital to receive radiation treatment for cervical cancer. There, cells taken from her body without her knowledge were grown in a culture and are still alive today. Known to scientists as HeLa, these “immortal” cells have become one of medical research’s most important tools.? Choose from one of the following two options to write your essay: a) There is general consensus that Henrietta Lacks is responsible for one of the most significant contributions to science; however, there is less consensus regarding the methods used to achieve these scientific advancements. The line between science and ethics is often hotly debated. Where would you draw the line and why? OR b) Select your own book for the First Year Book program and tell us why you would want to share it with your classmates in the incoming class. Why does this book have personal meaning to you?

    12. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK 2. “Seek the fashion which truly fits and befits you.  You will always be in fashion if you are true to yourself, and only if you are true to yourself.  You might, of course, rightly wear that style which is emblazoned on the fashion magazines of the day, or you might not.” - Maya Angelou.??Other than fashion, what medium(s) do you choose for self-expression and why? 3. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” - Aristotle??The intellectual, social and cultural differences embraced by the University of Maryland are integral to the fabric of our community. The strength of the University is realized through the contributions of every member of our campus. We understand each individual is a result of his/her personal background and experiences.  Describe the parts that add up to the sum of you.  4. According to Henry David Thoreau, “One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something.”  What is your something? 5. Write your own question and respond to it. Please be sure to tell us why you think this essay represents you well. (Your question will not be included in the essay word count.)    

    13. COMMON APPLICATION   1.) Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. 2.) Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. 3.) Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. 4.) Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you and explain the influence. 5.) A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. 6.) Topic of your choice.  

    14. ROUSE SCHOLARS ESSAY Type a brief essay explaining how and why a scholarship would enable you to achieve your goals.

    15. VIRGINIA TECH Personal statement(s) to no more than 250 words in length (each). • What are the top five reasons you want to attend Virginia Tech? • If there is something you think would be beneficial for the Admissions Committee to know as we review your academic history, please take this opportunity to explain. • What do you consider the greatest benefit(s) of a diverse educational community? • Describe five unique or interesting things about yourself. • Free response —writing sample. • Which of your current or previous teachers do you admire most, and why? • Describe how a world event has helped to shape the person you are today.

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