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Considerations for Writing your College Essays

Considerations for Writing your College Essays. Focus on the Common Application. What the Admission Committees Look For. A student with potential for growth. An individual who will contribute to the quality of life for other students.

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Considerations for Writing your College Essays

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  1. Considerations for Writing your College Essays Focus on the Common Application

  2. What the Admission Committees Look For • A student with potential for growth. • An individual who will contribute to the quality of life for other students. • A personality that will fit in on their campus. • Individuals who are sincere and are themselves. They can spot a fake a mile away.

  3. Colleges Use Different Essay Topics • Some colleges have 1 or 2 prescribed topics to write about. • Others allow you to choose among topics. (Common Application: choose 1 of 6) • Still others have several categories in which you must respond

  4. Common Application Essay Questions 3 (of 6) questions: • Discuss an issue of personal, local, national or international concern & its importance to you. • Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you and describe that influence. • Topic of your choice. There is also one question every student must answer.

  5. Essay Blueprint: Do This! Find a topic Write a draft Revise and rewrite Get feedback Final editing

  6. Topics to Help You Start Write about a time when you: • have been inspired. • had fun. • were intellectually connected in class. • felt exceptionally alive. • lost your sense of time because you were so engrossed in learning something.

  7. More Topic Starters • What is the best piece of advice you ever received? • Which one of your personal qualities would you want someone to write about in a recommendation? • What is your most important possession? • What one thing annoys you the most? • Describe a time you used humor to get your self out of an uncomfortable situation. • What are your three biggest mistakes?

  8. Other Thoughts to Consider • Write about things that interest you or about experiences you have had. • If you write about an important event make sure it is genuine and not a story others have told you. • Include things not already in your application or resume. • Write a snapshot of your life not your whole life story. • A personal statement can explain your academic record if it is not strong.

  9. A Good Essay is ….. • Not good because of the topic but because of the voice. • Show vs. Tell: a good essay shows by using all of the senses, not just the visual and notices everything that is happening. Topic: Death in the family (opening statement): Poor example: From an early age we accept death as inevitable but do not comprehend its actual denotation. Good example: The coughing came first then the hacking in the middle of the night.

  10. Work on these points • Make your essays personal but stay within the guidelines. • Length: most colleges set limits. Don’t over write as admission counselors will not appreciate it - Make every word count. • Write an attention-getting lead; say something brief, direct and intriguing but not scary. • Word Choice: weigh each word and substitute more colorful ones that an 18 year old would use. • Tone: read your essay out loud. Does it sound passionate, humorous or reflective?

  11. Revising • Can the reader connect with how you are thinking or feeling? • Watch out for vague language or inappropriate word choice i. e use of the word “stuff” “ or “like, whatever.” • Do not use IM language or shortcuts. • Proofread not just spell check “I am interested in attending your homely campus.” • Watch out for over use of the pronoun “I.”

  12. Check Your Essay Grammar Spelling Punctuation Correct usage of words and phrases

  13. Finally….. • Proofread and have someone else proofread. • Often more is less so don’t go on and on… • Be creative and confident; if you don’t believe in yourself no one else will. • Don’t let your parent write your essay; they can tell if a 59 year old wrote it or if you wrote it at 11:59 pm.

  14. Relax! • You do not have to prove anything. • Don’t try to solve life’s mysteries. • Don’t attempt to save the world in your future. • They realize you are 18 and assume you are bright and motivated.

  15. Questions an admissions counselor will consider after reading your essay • What did I learn about you? • What do I remember about you? • Do I have confidence in your writing? • Do I have any concerns about you? • Did you come across as thoughtful or interesting? Take time to create a winning essay!

  16. Common Application • www.commonapp.org

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