Monday 19 January 2015

Getting Started on Your College Admissions Essay

Getting started on college admissions essays is something students can do in the summer to give them a head start on the college application process. Since many schools ask similar questions, students can usually write one or two essays that can be used for more than one college. Yours do not have to be the most creative, but they do need to be a good read. Getting your reader’s attention in the first sentence is a good way to begin.
Choosing a college essay topic can be tricky. College essay topics are not always easy to come up with, but you want to choose something that you are familiar with and that would be of interest to a college admissions committee. The topic should be something that is not addressed in another part of your college application. Choose a topic you can elaborate on and one you know will enable you to write a unique essay. College admissions committees report that some of the best essays are often about some of the more common and silly topics that occur in everyday life.
Take some time to brainstorm ideas and reflect on qualities that you feel are unique to you. This would include your values, goals, personality, talents, and even thoughts about particular issues or difficult times. Think of things that other people often say about you. Admissions officers want to learn about you and your writing ability. This is your own personal story to tell, not the story you think the admissions committee wants to hear.
College essays can help you get accepted by a college so it is important to know how a good one is written. College admissions officers read thousands of essays every year, so if they suggest you write no more than 500 words, cut out unnecessary words and make your writing more concise. This is a good place to show off your ability to follow directions and read instructions. Some of the best college essays are less than 400 words.
Present your ideas in a focused, thoughtful, and meaningful manner. Support your ideas with specific examples. Use a relaxed, conversational style. You must use transition within paragraphs and especially between paragraphs to preserve the logical flow of your essay. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Plan to do a number of rough drafts and remember to proofread more than once.
On its completion, your college essay must be presented in such a way that it captures the college admissions committee’s attention. Keep in mind that colleges are looking for students who will contribute in some way to their campus community. The college admissions essay is a great place to demonstrate this.

No comments:

Post a Comment