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How a Good Essay Works for YouLets you talk about YOUDistinguishes yourself from the competitionReveals interest and passionExposes depth of personality and maturityDemonstrates potential and impactShows that you are thinking ahead
Before You BeginReflect
Why do you want to pursue a business undergraduate major?What do you hope to achieve?How do you want to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? The world?
RecallWhen were you most effective as a leader? A team player?When did you make an impact?When did you learn from a mistake?
RevisitWhat makes you unique?What gets you excited?Why do you do what you do?How have you impacted others?Why would you be a good representative of Kenan-Flagler?
Effective ExamplesRecent
Within the last 12 to 18 months Unless you were President of a international
organization, leave high school behind
Simple Clarity, clarity, clarity – easy to explain, easy to
understand
Relevance Connection to business and the business school Sports adventures can be fine, but don’t stretch
them to fit
Connection to the WorldThis is NOT an academic or research paperLink to the global issue to UNC and to your
personal experience
Show, Don’t TellDon’t just say it; give relevant examplesUnderstand all your wordsStay away from empty sentences and
wordsAvoid too many adjectives
First Sentences
“I have spent the past year of my life re-learning everything I ever thought I knew about change in a process that has been both challenging and humbling.”
“Short, shallow breaths, a racing heart, and cool droplets of sweat beading up at my brow quickly converged with my feelings of shock, fear, and anger.”
Impact
The grants I wrote and continue to write are seeking to raise $40,000 dollars that are necessary to increase output to meet our objective of 50,000 Guatemalans served in the next ten years.
Reflection“Professionally, my experience taught me the importance of relationships, and how ones career can be impacted by them.”
“Facing this challenge head on helped me to learn more about myself as a person. Spending twelve hour days working through reconciliations revealed my persevering nature. My self-motivation became apparent as I stepped up to take on new responsibilities, even when not asked of me.”
Stand OutCourse rigor and preparationInterest and curiosityGoal-orientedOpen-mindedInitiativePassionParticipationContribution and ImpactResultsLeadershipTeamworkGoing above and beyondPotential
Brainstorming
Try a variety of brainstorming strategies:
Mapping/webbingComparing and contrastingJournalistic questionsHaving a friend interview you about your
experiences and interestsTape recorderKeep a notebook handy
The optional essayPlease include any other information that you believe
would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in considering your application (500 word limit).
All re-applicants, Junior applicants, and transfer students
Otherwise, is it needed? If not, don’t do it.Situations where it might be needed:
You are (legitimately) concerned about your GPAYou’re an international student (and you haven’t
discussed this elsewhere)You’re employed full-timeYou’ve had legal problemsOther non-obvious things readers NEED to know to
evaluate your application
Anatomy of an EssayBeginning
Engage your reader from the beginningMiddle
Use transitionsStay vibrant and active
EndTie it all togetherDraw out lessons
Tips for an Effective EssayAnswer the question
Does your response satisfy the inquiry?Outline your key points
Did you provide a roadmap for your reader?Be concise
Did you adhere to the word limit?Add depth
Did you answer the “so what” and “why” questions?Proofread, edit, revise
Did you spell check? Have someone else read it?
Microsoft’s Readability Tool
Active vs. Passive Voice The project was completed by the entire team. (passive)
The entire team completed the project. (active)
The work needed to be done on the house by my crew before the new family could move in. (passive)
My crew worked tirelessly on the house so that the family could move in on time. (active)
Final ThoughtsBe authenticFind your voiceDon’t listWatch your toneVary sentence structureAvoid repetitionCheck punctuationProofread/FeedbackReviseEdit
Writing Center servicesTeaches strategies and skills and will give
opinions as readersNO edits or proofreads - but will show
you howUp to 2 appointments per semester (not
per essay) to learn about writing personal statements
Online or face-to-faceOpen during summer sessions I and IITons of tips at writingcenter.unc.edu under
“handouts”
