Writing Your College Essay A few helpful hints
- Slides: 5
Writing Your College Essay A few helpful hints, tricks, and tips College Awareness Day 2010
• The College Essay What it can and can’t do for your application WHAT IT CAN DO: • • Give colleges a deeper sense of who you are Provide context, background, justification, etc. for items on your application that need explaining Set you apart from other applicants Put a borderline application into the “yes” pile WHAT IT CAN’T DO • Save a “no” application from rejection (in most cases)
• The Many Incarnations of the College Essay UC versus private schools; long essays versus short answers The UC essays are more “traditional” in nature; they are not creative writing assignments! Private schools both accept and welcome (to a degree) more creative essays Know your audience. Do your research for the school-specific supplements. Don’t rely on one essay to fit all school’s demands. If you can’t tweak it and make it fit, start over.
• Choosing a Topic Important things to consider DO: • • • Pick something that’s important to you Think about something small versus something big Write about a topic you know a lot about Brainstorm extensively Think about what on your application might need more development Research programs, the school’s academics, and other unique features, especially for the short answer portions DON’T: • • Pick a trite or overused topic Try to pick something because of how you think you’ll appear Wait until the last minute Repeat things that appear in detail on your application in another place
• On Writing and Revisions Too many cooks spoil the soup • Make sure to: • Leave yourself enough time to do a thorough revision • Read your essay aloud – it should sound like you, not someone else • Proofread and spell check yourself • Get 1 -2 trusted adults to read and offer feedback DON’T rely on friends to review your essay for you. DON’T rely on the grammar and spell checking features your computer provides.
