How To Write A College Application Essay

How To Write A College Application Essay The essay is where the college can discover what makes this particular student unique and interesting. Sadly, many students tear their ACL each sports season and then have to rehab it. Many students have volunteered in various ways, even in other countries. So, I always suggest to them that they start early, but that also, they take their time. If they start in late June, they’ve got plenty of time to get it done before school starts, without dedicating their entire summer to writing. Instead, break the essay into parts â€" brainstorm topics one week, write an opening paragraph the next week. The following week, write the body of the paper, or even start over if the opening paragraph just doesn’t work for them. After writing the rough draft, let the essay sit for a week or so, and then go back to polish it. Easily avoidable mistakes, like not checking that the entire essay is copied into the application, can harm your application prospects. I gained admission to a top-tier university, which is something I’d aspired to for a long time. But I didn’t like spending so much time on sports. I missed leading a quieter, more contemplative life. Know that many top-tier admissions essays have gone through 7-10 drafts before you have had a chance to read them. The idea behind the essay is for colleges to be able to learn something about the student that they couldn’t have learned through the rest of the application. When you're finished writing your admissions essay, it's important to proofread your material. Running your essay through spell check is important, and having someone you trust read your essay to catch other small mistakes is even better. Admissions officers generally won't dock minor mistakes in punctuation, but grammatical errors always look sloppy. Write something that helps them to know you better, but be responsive. Too, be sure that you are giving them a piece of yourself. The worst thing you can do is write an essayâ€"on whatever topicâ€" that is generic, an essay where if your name was replaced by another, the reader could not tell the difference. When an admissions officer doesn't get the whole story or notices a sloppy mistake, it changes how schools perceive you. Sometimes students neglect to copy over their entire essay into an application and only submit a portion of their work. When Warren was asked about haphazard mistakes students make, he recounted one college essay example. You can also ask someone else to proofread your essay for you. Asking a teacher, parent, or older sibling is probably the best way to go, since they might be more familiar with what's expected from college admissions essays. College can be difficult, and one thing that admissions officers might be looking for is evidence that you've overcome obstacles and been able to work through hard situations. Your admission essay lets you personalize your application. The college essay is one piece of the process that you can control so you want to get it right. The most obvious “do” is to respond to the prompt. The writing sample you submit will be considered in both the admission and competitive scholarship selection process. Be sure to include your full name on each page of your submission. Do let your unique voice and personality come through in your writing. Is there a way to find out what essay questions colleges are asking before you start the application process? Would it relieve some of your stress, or help you focus your search on fewer colleges, if you knew what essays you'll have to write? Write down a general description or plan that boils down the main ideas to short statements but doesn’t explain them. Such a sketch will help you plan memorable college application essays in advance, allowing to ensure the logical flow of paragraphs and transitions. Do have a teacher, counselor, parent or friend with strong writing skills proofread your essay. Do write as many drafts of your essay as it takes to make it shine brightly. Don’t wait until the last minute to start writing. Don’t be overly influenced by others’ ideas or essays other people have written. Don’t let anyone else write any part of your essay.