admission essay tips

admission essay tips

Mastering the Art of Writing a Compelling Admission Essay

1. Introduction to Admission Essays

It makes sense, therefore, to write an admission essay that will convey your true personality and make the best possible impression. Maybe you would like to come across as serious, confident, charismatic, mysterious, kind or indifferent, but you would really like to be heard and seen. The way that the institution receives you is through your personal essay. It is also your chance to present an application that will set you apart from the traditional “cookie-cutter” or standard candidates that they see repeatedly throughout the process. So how do you write a college essay? What is a good college essay and what makes the admission board interested in your admission essay?

You probably know that one of the best ways to present your skills and craft your story is through writing an essay. In general, a great essay can help you to stand out in the crowd and can make a significant impact. So, it is important to create a compelling paper if you want to get admitted to the institution of your dreams. The knowledge and ideas should be presented in a unique and compelling way that draws readers to the text.

2. Understanding the Purpose of an Admission Essay

Half of the admissions officers are in agreement that the quality of the essay backs up to an uncommon degree the perspective that they receive about the high school students on their college application forms. Most believe they can appraise it at the time of reading. The essays are the only proof of individuality that the college application presents. The essay strikes down the reality of the student, and if these students are able to craft an essay that demonstrates the strength of individuality, then they are already capable of shining through to get accepted into the college of their first choice. The essay can make the college applications more interesting, rather than a stale essay from so many other students. But, what is the purpose of the essay? What must it reveal about an applicant?

When tackling an admission essay topic, students often feel uncertain and uncomfortable about themselves. Many students know what they want to study, but when it comes to articulating it well in an essay, they feel they cannot muster the wherewithal to make it in a way that draws an admissions officer in to want to read more. Thus, most are petrified they will not get to attend college or university of their desire. This is probably one of the most important essays students will ever have to write in their entire lives.

3. Key Elements of a Successful Admission Essay

– Encapsulating Struggles with Self This type of essay begins with a situation that everyone can relate to, but will often end with an insight that few, if any, have previously understood. Illustrate and describe the initial situation involving such coming of age events as trying out for a sports team, taking part in an academic challenge, or reporting the news to a class. Describe your immediate experience of this event, the lesson learned, an insight driven home. Demonstrate your understanding of an insight gained and conclude with your realization of how valuable this lesson will remain with you throughout your life, making clear that the lessons learned through this experience will continue to bloom and be activated, all your life. A “Coming-of-Age” example of this type of essay can be sparked by any universal or shattering buzz. Student examples of this type of essay include understanding realizing the importance of being a role model, the idea of blending in with peers, and the lesson in being a part of the Now Generation.

– Addressing External Struggle Your opening should explain a situation from either home or school that has troubled you. Conclude this introductory paragraph by explaining what you’ve done. What activities or behavior have you exhibited to demonstrate your ability to work through and overcome this external challenge? Paragraph two needs to describe what you have achieved and what you are most proud of, particularly anything done to alleviate this pressure and make matters better for you and those around you. Student examples of this type of essay include coping with what might be considered a traditional or atypical family challenge.

– Illustrating Your Problem Write about a problem you’ve encountered – a physical condition, a learning disability, or a cultural adjustment you struggled with. Articulate your internal struggle in the opening paragraph, explaining the irony that while you appeared normal to others, you were very aware of your situation. Then construct a paragraph that describes what you wish you had done to prevent others from being affected by this issue. Concluding paragraphs need to describe what actions you’ve taken toward your pathway for change. Student examples of this type of essay include having diabetes, asthma, learning disabilities, and struggling with weight.

The five key components you need to construct any successful admission essay include:

4. Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement and Introduction

It should clearly communicate that the ideas you present in the body of the essay will support your claim about the importance of this moment, the situation, the challenge, etc. that you have faced. This is the opportunity to give your reader a good indication of what they will be reading about. It also helps you, the writer, stay focused and avoid “kitchen sink” essays (ones which wander aimlessly and cover a variety of topics but lack a clear focus). Rather than just simply list experiences you have had that may contain some of the elements above, it is important for the writer of the essay to show the connection between the traits that may be desirable to an admission officer and the traits you have cultivated based on the experiences you describe.

The body of the admission essay. Simple and clear thesis statement: Though the writer does communicate an argument or position in Part I, the statement could be better crafted. Ideally, a thesis statement is: free from unnecessary jargon or vague verbiage. It should clearly communicate an argument, determine the primary point of your essay, and be from 1-2 sentences in length. It should be very narrow in focus. A clear thesis statement suggests that the essay will focus on the themes of your interest and how they connect. For example, it may address personal characteristics or the influence of a particular experience that has shaped who you are today.

5. Polishing Your Essay: Editing and Proofreading Techniques

Make sure your essay is clear, concise, airtight and dialogue-free. Avoid sounding cliché. For instance, the word “interests” is overused and lacks flavor. Look for a word that will express what you are trying to say more colorfully. Don’t use a long word when a short word will do. Use your own voice. Don’t sound like a thesaurus or a model essay from an SAT prompt. Don’t say what the admissions officer wants to hear, write your own story. Eliminate “I think,” “I believe,” “I feel,” and any other preamble awkwardly inserted in order to soften a statement. If admission officers didn’t want your thoughts, they wouldn’t be asking for your essay. Write decisively. Delete clichés, as well as words that may imply that you are anxious, weak or indecisive. After all of your revisions and rewrites, read aloud to ensure that your essay makes clear contributions to your application. Make sure you have used the correct form of the words you intend.

It is important that you let some time lapse between completing your essay and starting the editing process. If you do not have time to let your essay “cool off,” ask a friend, advisor, or family member to review it and offer constructive criticism. You may discover an embarrassing spelling mistake, inaccurate fact, or grammatical error. You may have used jargon from your field that students outside of the discipline wouldn’t know. You may have advocated for your cause so strongly your essay becomes incoherent or rambling.