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Essays for College Applications
Essays for College Applications
Carolyn Hoy, M.Ed.Warwick High SchoolCarolyn Hoy, M.Ed.
Warwick High School
http://www.theitinerantconnection.com/Students.htmhttp://www.theitinerantconnection.com/Students.htm
The College Application Essay
The College Application Essay
• Is a chance to showcase your talents
• Another piece of the application
• Not required for every college
• Not a time to rehash what your transcript already says about you
• Is a chance to showcase your talents
• Another piece of the application
• Not required for every college
• Not a time to rehash what your transcript already says about you
Remember the college wants to decide if you fit
Remember the college wants to decide if you fit
Common App #1Common App #1
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Common App #1Common App #1
This will require you to think critically about the experience’s impact on you. Stay away from the“winning sports cliche” essay.
“Significant” doesn’t have to mean impacting a lot of people. It could mean significant in how it affected you.
This will require you to think critically about the experience’s impact on you. Stay away from the“winning sports cliche” essay.
“Significant” doesn’t have to mean impacting a lot of people. It could mean significant in how it affected you.
Common App #2Common App #2
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
Common App #2Common App #2
Remember to discuss: think critically and write analytically. You don’t need to re-hash and tell the story.
It should be apparent that the issue is of importance to you, so say so. The college wants to see why you would be good for their school
Pick something close to home in scope
Remember to discuss: think critically and write analytically. You don’t need to re-hash and tell the story.
It should be apparent that the issue is of importance to you, so say so. The college wants to see why you would be good for their school
Pick something close to home in scope
Common App #3Common App #3
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
http://jordysbeautyspot.blogspot.com/2010/04/http://jordysbeautyspot.blogspot.com/2010/04/style-icon-lady-gaga.htmlstyle-icon-lady-gaga.html
Common App #3Common App #3
WHY is this person important?
Be careful using mom, dad, or pop icons. Everyone is influenced by their parents. What does it say about you if you are influenced by Lady Gaga, when you’ve never met her?
Think about changing it up: influence can be positive OR negative
WHY is this person important?
Be careful using mom, dad, or pop icons. Everyone is influenced by their parents. What does it say about you if you are influenced by Lady Gaga, when you’ve never met her?
Think about changing it up: influence can be positive OR negative
Common App #4Common App #4
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
Common App #4Common App #4
More explaining, less describing
Stay away from predictable choices (MLK, Gandhi, Major Winters, etc.)
Creative choices can mean science, technology
Be sure the essay focuses on you
More explaining, less describing
Stay away from predictable choices (MLK, Gandhi, Major Winters, etc.)
Creative choices can mean science, technology
Be sure the essay focuses on you
Common App #5Common App #5
A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
Common App #5Common App #5
Diversity doesn’t have to mean just race or ethnicity.
What do you bring to the college that is different than others?
Be careful to avoid racial stereotypes or racial language
Diversity doesn’t have to mean just race or ethnicity.
What do you bring to the college that is different than others?
Be careful to avoid racial stereotypes or racial language
Common App 6Common App 6
Topic of your choice.Topic of your choice.
Common App #6Common App #6
Make sure your essay topic isn’t #1 to 5
Cleverness is tricky: it can be funny as long as it’s serious
Reveal yourself in the essay
Make sure your essay topic isn’t #1 to 5
Cleverness is tricky: it can be funny as long as it’s serious
Reveal yourself in the essay
Some additionalreal prompts
Some additionalreal prompts
Colleges often have their own “quirky” essay prompts. Here are some of the ones my students have shared:
Describe last Tuesday.
If someone were to Google your name in 50 years, what would they find?
When you win the Nobel Prize...
Colleges often have their own “quirky” essay prompts. Here are some of the ones my students have shared:
Describe last Tuesday.
If someone were to Google your name in 50 years, what would they find?
When you win the Nobel Prize...
If you could build anything out of any material, what would it be?
Describe your imaginary best friend.
Why (insert college name here)?
Describe an unexpected challenge.
If you could build anything out of any material, what would it be?
Describe your imaginary best friend.
Why (insert college name here)?
Describe an unexpected challenge.
Honesty is really important!
Writing skills must be impeccable!
Use appropriate, serious tone
Humor is ok, however
Reveal your character
What about you is NOT apparent on paper?
Honesty is really important!
Writing skills must be impeccable!
Use appropriate, serious tone
Humor is ok, however
Reveal your character
What about you is NOT apparent on paper?
Some other pointsSome other points
Use resourcesUse resources
Much information about essay writing is on the web
Utilize sample essays and other hints and tips
Have your paper read by trusted helps: teachers, guidance, gifted support
Listen to advice that you get
Much information about essay writing is on the web
Utilize sample essays and other hints and tips
Have your paper read by trusted helps: teachers, guidance, gifted support
Listen to advice that you get
ResourcesResources
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_tips.htm
www.essayedge.com
www.collegeboard.org
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_tips.htm
www.essayedge.com
www.collegeboard.org
