- 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!
