Admissions Essay Tips

 

Brainstorming:

• What are your major accomplishments?
• What attributes, skills or qualities distinguish you from everyone else?
• What are your favorite books, movies, or works of art?
• What was the most difficult time of your life?
• Have you ever struggled for something and succeeded?
• Have you overcome any significant obstacles?
• What are your career aspirations?
• Have you had a major personal discovery or life-changing experience?
• What have you done outside the classroom that demonstrates your strengths, interests, or leadership skills?
• What are your most important extra-curricular activities, sports, jobs, volunteer work, etc?
• What are your dreams for the future?

Some other strategies:

• Ask family members or friends to list your strengths and outstanding personality traits
• Consider events in your childhood that define your current interest
• Consider people who have been your role models or who have influenced you greatly (a grandparent, a teacher, a coach, etc.)
• Talk to your teachers and counselors
• Consider your college and career goals

Writing the Essay:

• Select a topic that is important to you
• Avoid overdone topics or negative positions on a topic
• If you choose a controversial topic, be sure to cover it fairly
• Use vivid supporting details
• Provide information that adds to your resume (Don’t just repeat what is already in the application)
• Be sure that you answer the question that is asked
• Be sure to keep your reader in mind! Strive to keep the reader interested. College admissions officers read hundreds (if not thousands) of essays
• Be careful with your tone
• Contact the College Essay Whiz for help and editing!