The College Essay

Types of College Essay Questions

The “You” Question

Tell us about “you” The school wants to know you better and see

how you’ll introduce yourself

– Example #1: “Complete a one-page personal statement and submit it with your application.”

– Example #2: “How would you describe yourself as a human being? What quality do you like best/least?

The “Why” Question

Some schools ask for an essay about your choice of a school or career. They want information about your goals, interests, and commitment to that particular school.– Example #1: “Why is UVM a good college choice

for you?”– Example #2: “Tell us about your career goals and

any plans you may have for study.

The “Creative” Question

Some colleges evaluate you through your choice of some item: an issue, a famous person, what you would put in a time capsule, a photograph, etc. They are looking for your creativity and breadth of you knowledge.

– Example #1: “Do you believe there’s a generation gap? Describe the differences between your generation and others.”

– Example #2: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you and describe the influence.”

Your Assignment

Find THREE college essay questions

(Questions may be found on the website of the colleges to which you are applying.)

Bring them to class. We will look at them, identify the type of

question, and discuss the best writing approach.

In Class/ Starting the Essay

After deciding on the question type and approach, choose ONE of the essays to perfect for your College Essay.

At the top of your paper, write the following: Name of the College, the Prompt, Word or Page Requirement, and any other important information.

Writing the College Essay—Dos

Be honest and sincere Show excitement about your topic Keep the reader interested Appeal to the reader’s senses Show your personality—Who are You? Be unique, different, unusual Keep your focus narrow and personal Adhere to the question/topic Develop your topic with specific and vivid facts,

events, quotations, reasons, etc.

Writing the College Essay—Don’ts

Don’t give a list of your accomplishments Don’t tell them what you think they want to hear Don’t us 50 words when 5 will do Don’t misspell words or use incorrect grammar Don’t sound phony or fake Don’t sound bored with your topic Don’t sound like an encyclopedia article Don’t write only to fulfill the assignment

Oedipus-Inspired Topics (or choose your own!)

“A Crossroads in My Life” Tell about a point in your life when you had to reach a decision about

whether or not to go in a different direction. Describe the decision you had to make, dramatize the decision, and

explain the consequences.“My Scar” Describe an experience that left you with a “scar.” This may be a literal physical scar (as from surgery, for example) or a

figurative scar (a mental impression left by the experience). The experience you describe does not have to me negative; perhaps it

left a positive mark on you. Be sure to explain what your scar represents – what new knowledge or

insight did you gain from the experience.

Use a sense chart while brainstorming

Sight Sound Taste Smell Touch

Advice for today’s brainstorming

Start with a vivid image, a striking quote, or a startling statement. Briefly dramatize the experience on which your essay is based; that is,

tell about the experience as if it were a short story. Explain explicitly why this experience was important in your life: what

knowledge or understanding did you gain; what did it make you realize about yourself; how did it strengthen or improve you.

In a sentence or two, explain how this new knowledge or strength might help you in college or your future life.

Be positive! Even is the experience itself was negative or traumatic, emphasize how you came out of it okay.

Try to incorporate figurative language; use metaphors, similes, personification to describe.

Keep you essay to about two pages, typed, double spaced.