Your essay reveals something important about you that your grades and test scores can't—your personality. It can give admission officers a sense of who you are, as well as showcasing your essay writing skills. Try these tips to craft your essay. Nearly all colleges and universities require submitting a college essay. However, the thought of writing an essay makes many college-bound students break into a nervous sweat. After all, a poorly written essay is enough to cause students with stellar grades to be rejected from their top choice universities. Below are some useful tips for writing a college essay to help you through this crucial aspect of successfully applying to college. College essays are important because they let you reveal your personality. Learn how brainstorming and planning can help you write your best college essays.
Many students don’t think the college essay matters all that much in the college application, but since this is the only time students can “talk” to a college, the essay proves to be very important. Since colleges are reading the essays to get a sense of the student’s “voice”, you’ll want to write a personal essay that shows them how you think, how you feel, and what matters to you in the world. The “Why Us” essay asks students to explain what they see in the college that makes it a special place to them and how they plan on making the most of what the college has to offer. In answering both of these kinds of essays, the student will want to make sure they communicate in an honest way that completely answers the question, and that they do so in their own words. Students will also want to make sure they aren’t being too personal in their responses, and that they select an editor for their essays who is willing to support the student’s efforts to write their own best essay, and nothing more.
In many ways, the essay is the most important part of the college application. Think about it: the grades you’ve earned in your high school classes tell part of the story of who you’ve been, and so do your test scores. But where do the colleges get to find out who you are now, and learn more about what matters to you, what you think about, and what you’d like to do in the future? All of those answers can be part of a strong college essay, where sharing the story of your life can make all the difference between bringing your application to life, and being just another applicant with a bunch of numbers.
Get started by brainstorming-Starting the essay can be the hardest part. Brainstorming about your personality traits and defining your strengths is a good place to begin.
Let your first draft flow
Let your first draft flow
Let your first draft flow
After you've gathered your notes, create an outline to organize your essay and decide where you want examples to appear. Now you're ready to write your first draft. Don't worry about making it perfect. Just get your ideas flowing and your thoughts down on paper. You'll fix mistakes and improve the writing in later drafts.
Develop three essay parts:
Introductions: One paragraph that introduces your essay.
Body: Several paragraphs explaining the main idea with examples.
Conclusion: One paragraph that summarizes and ends the essay.
Be specific-Give your essay focus by figuring out how the question relates to your personal qualities and then taking a specific angle. Make sure everything you write supports that viewpoint. Read about how some students
Find a creative angle-Katherine, a college freshman, had to describe why she would make a good Reed College student for that school's essay.
Be honest-The essay question might ask you about your best quality, an experience that shaped you or the reason you want to attend a certain college. Don't be tempted to write what you think the admission officers want to hear; answer the question honestly.
Get feedback Show your draft to family, friends or teachers. Ask if it makes sense and sounds like you. Consider their feedback and make changes, but keep your voice. High school senior Dana warns, "Make sure the essay is in your own voice. If at some point you read over your essay and you hear your mother's voice, something is wrong."
Proofread and make corrections-Read your essay over carefully to check for typos and spelling and grammar errors. It's best to ask someone who hasn't seen it yet to take a look as well. They're likely to see mistakes you won't catch. While you should still know how to pick your classes and eventually how to choose a major, you’ll have more time to explore your interests and be open to new ideas and career choices.
Many students don’t think the college essay matters all that much in the college application, but since this is the only time students can “talk” to a college, the essay proves to be very important. Since colleges are reading the essays to get a sense of the student’s “voice”, you’ll want to write a personal essay that shows them how you think, how you feel, and what matters to you in the world. The “Why Us” essay asks students to explain what they see in the college that makes it a special place to them and how they plan on making the most of what the college has to offer. In answering both of these kinds of essays, the student will want to make sure they communicate in an honest way that completely answers the question, and that they do so in their own words. Students will also want to make sure they aren’t being too personal in their responses, and that they select an editor for their essays who is willing to support the student’s efforts to write their own best essay, and nothing more.
In many ways, the essay is the most important part of the college application. Think about it: the grades you’ve earned in your high school classes tell part of the story of who you’ve been, and so do your test scores. But where do the colleges get to find out who you are now, and learn more about what matters to you, what you think about, and what you’d like to do in the future? All of those answers can be part of a strong college essay, where sharing the story of your life can make all the difference between bringing your application to life, and being just another applicant with a bunch of numbers.
Get started by brainstorming-Starting the essay can be the hardest part. Brainstorming about your personality traits and defining your strengths is a good place to begin.
Let your first draft flow
Let your first draft flow
Let your first draft flow
After you've gathered your notes, create an outline to organize your essay and decide where you want examples to appear. Now you're ready to write your first draft. Don't worry about making it perfect. Just get your ideas flowing and your thoughts down on paper. You'll fix mistakes and improve the writing in later drafts.
Develop three essay parts:
Introductions: One paragraph that introduces your essay.
Body: Several paragraphs explaining the main idea with examples.
Conclusion: One paragraph that summarizes and ends the essay.
Be specific-Give your essay focus by figuring out how the question relates to your personal qualities and then taking a specific angle. Make sure everything you write supports that viewpoint. Read about how some students
Find a creative angle-Katherine, a college freshman, had to describe why she would make a good Reed College student for that school's essay.
Be honest-The essay question might ask you about your best quality, an experience that shaped you or the reason you want to attend a certain college. Don't be tempted to write what you think the admission officers want to hear; answer the question honestly.
Get feedback Show your draft to family, friends or teachers. Ask if it makes sense and sounds like you. Consider their feedback and make changes, but keep your voice. High school senior Dana warns, "Make sure the essay is in your own voice. If at some point you read over your essay and you hear your mother's voice, something is wrong."
Proofread and make corrections-Read your essay over carefully to check for typos and spelling and grammar errors. It's best to ask someone who hasn't seen it yet to take a look as well. They're likely to see mistakes you won't catch. While you should still know how to pick your classes and eventually how to choose a major, you’ll have more time to explore your interests and be open to new ideas and career choices.
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