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Writing an Outstanding College Admissions Essay
Make It Personal!
Your Primary Goals
Make your essay stand out by making it unique
Make your admissions officer want to meet you
Accomplishing the Goal… Do your research…
Majors/programsFactors that draw you to campusMascot/school colorsLiberal or conservative
Address how the experience/incident adds to your ability to succeed in college
Stay away from controversial topics and avoid direct persuasion
Tell a Story Only YOU Can Tell
Specific event that changed the way you think or allowed you to “walk in someone else’s shoes”
One person who helped shape your character
Specific challenge that demonstrates who you are, what you value and your character
Answer the question/ prompt completely
Consider… Explain, expand or emphasize what you “look
like” on paper
EXPLAIN a low grade, weakness in a subject area or less challenging course choices
EXPAND by filling in a “hole,” e.g. lack of community service or lack of leadership experiences
EMPHASIZE an experience that points to your strengths, character or ability to adapt and learn
First Impressions You have 10 seconds to make a good
impression so begin with a(n):
Rhetorical questionIn medias res scenario…dramatic actionShocking statementChallenge of conventional wisdomContrasts~ “There are two types of
students…”ConfessionLesson learned
Pearls of Wisdom Give yourself ample time to write and review Walk away and let it “ripen”
Show maturity by applying past learning to the future
ADD VOICE !!!
Watch your tone: whiney, maudlin, accusatory or boastful
If you don’t have fun writing the essay, your reader won’t have fun reading it
The Final Touches Read your essay out loud…does it sound
right?
Ask yourself “What does this essay prove?” “Does it communicate what I intended?”“Does this sound like me?”
Proofread, then proofread again
Ask an adult to read it and give you feedback
Avoid the Pitfalls Retelling the story of your education; remember they have
your transcript in front of them
“ The Trip” and how you grew
A fluffy list of things to tell your reader you are a nice person
The Miss America scenario- how you will work for world peace
The Athlete and Jock scenario- how you learned to be a team member and how you handle defeat in a mature way
Previous Prompts
“ Tell us about an experience that a
transcript does not reflect: your passions
and commitments, your hopes, a personal
challenge, a hardship overcame or the
cultural awareness you’ve gained.”
~ University of Washington
Previous Prompts
“Select a creative work that has influenced
the way you view the world and the way you
view yourself. Discuss the impact the work
has had on you.” ~ NYU
Recap Communicate your excitement and passion
First impressions count: explain, expand and emphasize
Allow plenty of time to write, re-write and proofreading
Make the admissions officer want to meet you!
Ready, Set Go…
“You are pure potential.”
We believe in you! Here’s your chance to SHINE!
Gratitude and Questions
Thank you to CHS teacher Linda Kimball for her guidance and generous contributions on this topic and presentation
Contact Information
Leontina Liebe, School CounselorOffice in 800 wing
833-5750 X. 78215
