Dos And Donts Of Writing A College Admission Essay

Do's And Don'ts Of Writing A College Admission Essay It's okay to expand on points you only mentioned in passing in other parts of the application, but make sure you are adding new information and presenting it in an engaging, creative way. For example, maybe you're a creative thinker, or a great problem-solver. Emphasize this in your essay by writing about a time that those qualities helped you in your day-to-day life. Do tell a story in an interesting and engaging way. Don’t just relay the facts, but pretend you are sitting in a coffee shop talking to a friend. Practicing your writing skills in advance can help you prepare for college essays. Your admission essay lets you personalize your application. 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. Most college essay topics will be assigned to you by the Common App or whatever university you're applying to. College admission essays can both be a fun and stressful part of the admission process at any university. ACT is a mission-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. We are trusted as a national leader in college and career readiness, providing high-quality assessments grounded in nearly 60 years of research. While millions of individuals take the ACT test each year, that’s just one aspect of our work. From elementary school through career, ACT offers individuals a uniquely integrated set of solutions designed to provide personalized insights throughout their life. Focusing on one theme helps keep your essay organized and to the point. Like any essay, the college admissions essay should have a clear thesis that summarizes your main ideas and presents your theme in an engaging way. Your essay also shouldn't just repeat things that you've already listed elsewhere on your application. Tell the admissions officer something they can't learn about you from the other paperwork you've filled out. Picking a college is one of the biggest commitments that you’ll make in your life, and it’s important that the one you pick aligns with who you are and what you believe. What do you like about the school and why does it matter to you? For example, Southeastern University’s Christ-centered focus on academics is perfect for students that are looking for a quality education that has a Christian foundation. There are a number of things that you could love about the school you’re applying for. It could be an incredible program of study for the major of your choice, quality athletic teams, or even community-oriented campus life. Don’t repeat what is found elsewhere in your application, unless you’re adding pertinent information to round it out. Do write in your own style and using your own words. Take the time to make sure your essay is something you’re proud of. Do let your unique voice and personality come through in your writing. To make the most of this opportunity, once you have your essay questions, practice writing your essay using the tips provided by the college or from one of the links in this article. If you're lucky, your junior and senior high school language arts teachers incorporate essay writing into the curriculum. Even with essay writing experience, it can be hard to frame a well-organized, comprehensive, thoughtful answer in 500 words or less. You might need to approach the questions from a few different perspectives before you find the right formula. If you're trying to think of ways to answer prompts, try making a brag sheet of things you've done or accomplished that you were proud of. Reflecting on those experiences could give you plenty of material to write about. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. You might be tempted to try to make the admissions officer who is reading your essay laugh. 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. DON’T tell the reader what they already know about you. Instead, tell them what they should know about you. Humor is a great way to make friends or break the ice with someone new, but you should try not to rely on it in your admissions essay. You have no way of knowing what the admissions officer's sense of humor is like, and you don't want to run the risk of a joke falling flat or, even worse, offending someone. Once you've brainstormed a list of ideas, choose one as the theme of your essay. 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.