how to write a college admission essay

how to write a college admission essay

Tips for Writing a Compelling College Admission Essay

1. Understanding the Importance of the College Admission Essay

Admissions experts are trying to find students who will be a good “match” for their institution and may have unique interests or qualities to bring to the campus community. They can look at student academic record, GPA, and test scores to evaluate this. Lindsay Simplifier states, “You have something slightly unique to offer. A lot of the time you may not know what it is. We are trying to figure that out from the admission essay… I tell students, ‘Don’t sell me; just tell your story.'” This may sound simplistic, but admissions officials are trying to figure out if you are a person they would want to have at their school for the next four years.

Inspirational statements on the importance of a great school admission essay may come from admission officials. Lindsay Simplifier, former assistant director of admissions at the University of Denver, shares, “I can tell you that a borderline student who has a good essay has a better shot at getting a college acceptance than a straight-A student who has an inadequate essay, but excellent recommendations and interviews can reverse the situation.”

Your child’s secondary school academic record is the most significant factor in the school admissions process, as indicated by the College Board website. However, schools also take a look at “soft factors,” such as recommendation letters and the admission essay, to evaluate a student’s character and interests. An admission essay can make a difference in helping a student who is on the edge get acceptance to a school, as well as give top-notch students an additional edge in the admissions process. To offer an admission essay that will increase a student’s chances of success, it is important to understand the role it plays in the admissions process.

2. Brainstorming and Selecting a Unique Topic

Now you can begin evaluating your topics. Go through them and eliminate the ones which you do not feel passionate about. Another approach is to choose the topic which will be the easiest to write; this likely will make it more interesting to read. The ideal topic will use something that you have an in-depth knowledge of because you have spent time talking about it or related experience, or something that you have just experienced recently. This will allow you to provide specific details and examples in your essay, which your target audience usually appreciates.

Your college admission essay will usually be focused on a specific question. Your paper or writing assignment should reflect the question that will be asked. This means that you must know the question before you begin to brainstorm these topics. Here are some college admission essay topics that they used for various colleges: having to choose between different abstract concepts, or elaborating on a detailed experience (College Board). It does not matter what the question asks as long as you know what you plan to talk about. Brainstorm by putting your thoughts on paper. You can free write (writing without stopping or censoring yourself), create word association maps, or try a self-interview. Whichever pre-writing technique you use, allow for plenty of freedom and creativity. Begin with an idea and see how much you can talk about it, then go on to the next idea.

3. Crafting a Strong Introduction and Thesis Statement

A student may also start with an anecdote. These are powerful, and if they are pulled off well, can be where the writer’s own style shines the most. This should be the most famous part of the essay, and the part that is most remembered, for better or worse.

Background information can set up the importance of the topic. For example, if you’re writing about college acceptance, an event in your own life that led to an acceptance letter can be a great insight. The event does not have to be directly related to the experience you are talking about. In fact, an event that is far removed from the topic at hand might be better in a way. This might get the reader thinking, “I wonder how he/she will tie this into the topic?” and it wills them to keep reading to see where the author is taking the conversation.

Using a relevant quote opens many essay doors for the college student. A quote can also capture what you want to convey eloquently. Saying the same thing the quote said in a different way will, at best, make the reader think the student is trying to pad around a word count requirement. Use this sparingly.

The introduction is the most important paragraph of your essay, and it has one purpose to fulfill above all others: to draw the reader in. Ideally, this should begin right from the attention-grabbing opening sentence. If the introduction can “funnel” the reader into the thesis statement, then the essay writer has taken the first step in capturing their attention. But the first few sentences need to be compelling. This may be very difficult for some; it’s just a natural way of the writer, whether he/she is in high school or already in university.

Brainstorm ideas for a persuasive introduction and thesis. Develop an outline for a compelling introduction/thesis. Craft an outline.

4. Showcasing Your Personal Growth and Achievements

Many students spend their entire high school career bouncing from class to class, finally finishing the day’s homework during the last few minutes before bed. Although it is a common perception today that “high school is a lot harder than it used to be,” the fact is that the increased level of difficulty and competition in both college and job applications has played an enormous role in students’ work ethic, or lack thereof. Education has become more of a chore than a privilege, and many students do not mind this change because they do not grasp the concept of sincerity in their academic and non-academic accomplishments. However, it is essential for college admission that students be able to explain to an evaluator why they deserve a better shot in life, and this mindset must be reflected in whatever they write. First of all, students must fully understand the meaning of their achievements, no matter how great or small. They must ask themselves what exactly were they made these accomplishments for. It can be said that the primary reason for any achievement is to ensure a better quality of life, and students cannot expect to achieve that better quality without higher education. So it is safe to say that all achievements are aimed at college admission. This understanding will allow students to begin to seriously consider the steps they must take to successfully showcase their efforts.

5. Editing and Polishing Your Essay for Excellence

The next step is to go over what you have written and to make sure that it communicates in the manner that you desire. Putting this down to 500 words may seem much harder than when you started. This process is one of the most important things you will do. This is the one piece of writing you will use over and over to market yourself with. There are several things you may want to look at in your essay: – Does it start with a bang? Have a lead-in that will capture the reader’s attention. Starting with a question is a great idea. – Does it flow and is the organization a good one? Can the reader follow it and understand what you are trying to communicate? – Does it use vivid, descriptive, and detailed language that attracts the reader’s interest? Sometimes the use of an example can help you say more about yourself. – Can you make your point in a more effective or efficient manner. – Finally, does it leave the reader with a lasting impression of who you are and why you would be an asset to the college or university. It is often helpful to ask your parents or your guidance counselor to read over your essay and give you feedback as to how it can be improved. After they have read it, ask them “Who do you think I am if you were to meet me for the first time after reading this?” If they can accurately describe your best qualities and the impression you were trying to lead or formulate a less than satisfying answer, you may want to consider revision. A second or third opinion may be useful, but remember it is still your essay and only you can accurately improve it.