We know that safe and predictable essays aren’t memorable for the right reasons and don’t work (www.charlotteobserver.com/225). So what does work? Where, when and how do you begin to write a successful college essay?
1. Gather all the essay prompts. Create a single document where you can compare the essay prompts side by side. Check to see which ones are similar and allow you to maximize your essay efforts. It may mean changing a paragraph or an introduction, but you’ll feel better knowing the body of the essay will do double-duty.
2. Write honestly about yourself. The essay is the place in the application where colleges look for insights into who you really are and what makes you tick. It is your opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants. Write something that nobody else could write. Try to connect with the reader. Remember, that doesn’t mean write a safe essay but it does mean to be open, be likeable and above all, be yourself.
3. Write about something that is important to you. It will be a much easier essay to write if you care about your topic.
4. Think of the essay as a 3-dimensional snapshot of who you are. Focus on a brief event or conversation, much the way a photo captures a moment in time. Highlighting one event, activity or relationship allows you to provide interesting details and share your passion.
5. Straddle the fine line of being boastful and subtle. The essay is your time to shine, but the best written essays do it subtly. It’s possible to be proud of what you’ve done without being arrogant and smug. Admissions officials aren’t impressed with self-impressed applicants. Don’t use the essay as an opportunity to detail a laundry list of your leadership roles and awards. Figure out a way to talk about your accomplishments within the realm of a story or an anecdote. Have you shared your knowledge or talent with other people?
6. Don’t assume you know what they want to read. Many students feel that their lives would be boring to admissions officials and then feel the need to pump themselves up in the course of the essay. Some exaggerate their commitments to community service because they believe that’s what colleges want to hear. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
7. Avoid self-pity, self-loathing and above all don’t make excuses. Remember that essay readers ask themselves “would this person make a good roommate?” Your essay doesn’t need to be falsely cheery but watch your tone.
8. Ask for feedback. Write your best essay and then have someone else review it to make sure your ideas are being conveyed in an organized fashion. It’s easy to fall in love with your own work and lose perspective.
ON MY BOOKSHELF
“Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps”, Alan Gelb, $11.95
As a school counselor in a very competative Western New York school system I am disappointed to see the testimonial you chose to use on your website. How sad that the parent had a poor experience with her son’s counseling office. But to generalize that most offices are incompetent when it comes to the college process is a “slap in the face” to the profession. We send 97% of our seniors on to post-secondary institutions, with many of our students attending Ivy League colleges. We begin preparing students for the college process in their freshman year and provide numerous workshops/presentations for our parents, as well as our students. We also have a “College Club” before school for juniors that meets once a week and with each meeting we cover a different topic to prepare our students for college.
Again, as a voice for those in my profession, I am extremely disappointed in the testimonial you have chosen to use.
Hi Cheryl – Noone is generalizing that all high counseling offices are bad, but many are overwhelmed with other responsibilities. The truth is that many families purchase my services because they don’t feel they can receive the personalized attention they want for their child. Public high schools especially, are not prepared to have a series of one-on-one meetings, review internship opportunities, discuss summer plans and review college lists as well as brainstorm essays, it just is not feasible. For those families that are seeking that level of service, their needs are best met by an independent counselor.
I see you have Alan Gelb’s book on your bookshelf. Alan gave some of the best advice I’ve ever seen for college essays, summarized as: Never explain, complain, or brag.
Yes. I received your book and was planning on mentioning it in next week’s column. Thanks!
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different page and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to going over your web page yet again.
Your write-up has verified beneficial to me.
It is really informative and you might be obviously quite
knowledgeable in this area. You might have opened my eyes to varying views on
this topic with fascinating and solid content material.