Writing the College Writing the College Application EssayApplication Essay

Tips from the College BoardTips from the College Board

Keep your focus narrow and Keep your focus narrow and personalpersonal

1.1. Prove one single point or thesis throughoutProve one single point or thesis throughout

2.2. Do not tell the committee what you’ve done; Do not tell the committee what you’ve done; they will read your application’s list. Instead they will read your application’s list. Instead SHOW THEM WHO YOU ARE.SHOW THEM WHO YOU ARE.

3.3. You can’t be too comprehensive in your You can’t be too comprehensive in your limited space; instead choose a narrow limited space; instead choose a narrow focus and stick to it.focus and stick to it.

Prove your main idea.Prove your main idea.

Use Use VIVIDVIVID facts.facts.Ho hum:Ho hum: "I like to be surrounded by people with a variety of  "I like to be surrounded by people with a variety of

backgrounds and interests." backgrounds and interests."

Better:Better: "During that night, I sang the theme song from  "During that night, I sang the theme song from Casablanca with a baseball coach who thinks he's Casablanca with a baseball coach who thinks he's Bogie, discussed Marxism with a little old lady, and Bogie, discussed Marxism with a little old lady, and heard more than I ever wanted to know about some heard more than I ever wanted to know about some woman's gall bladder operation." woman's gall bladder operation."

Prove it even more!Prove it even more!

Use Use SPECIFIC SPECIFIC facts. Avoid clichéd, facts. Avoid clichéd, generic, and predictable writing by using generic, and predictable writing by using vivid and specific facts.vivid and specific facts.Ho hum:  "I want to help people. I have gotten so much out of life Ho hum:  "I want to help people. I have gotten so much out of life through the love and guidance of my family, I feel that many through the love and guidance of my family, I feel that many individuals have not been as fortunate; therefore, I would like to individuals have not been as fortunate; therefore, I would like to expand the lives of others." expand the lives of others."

Better: Better: "My Mom and Dad stood on plenty of sidelines until their shoes "My Mom and Dad stood on plenty of sidelines until their shoes filled with water, or their fingers turned white, or somebody's golden filled with water, or their fingers turned white, or somebody's golden retriever signed his name on their coats in mud. That kind of retriever signed his name on their coats in mud. That kind of commitment is what I'd like to bring to working with fourth-graders." commitment is what I'd like to bring to working with fourth-graders."

DON’T TELL THEM WHAT DON’T TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK THEY WANT YOU THINK THEY WANT

TO HEAR!TO HEAR!

Most admission officers read plenty of essays about the charms of their university, the evils of terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in being a doctor. Bring something Bring something new to the tablenew to the table, not just what you think they want to hear.

Don’t Write a ResumeDon’t Write a ResumeDon’t include information found elsewhere in Don’t include information found elsewhere in

the application.the application.Your essay will end up sounding like an Your essay will end up sounding like an

autobiography, travelogue, or laundry list. autobiography, travelogue, or laundry list.

Yawn. Yawn.

Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do.Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do.

Be concise: Eliminate unnecessary Be concise: Eliminate unnecessary words.words.

Using active voice will help you write Using active voice will help you write concisely and powerfully.concisely and powerfully.

Remember: you have limited space; use it Remember: you have limited space; use it wisely!wisely!

Ho hum:Ho hum: "Over the years it has been pointed out to me by my  "Over the years it has been pointed out to me by my parents, friends, and teachers -- and I have even noticed this parents, friends, and teachers -- and I have even noticed this about myself, as well-- that I am not the neatest person in the about myself, as well-- that I am not the neatest person in the world.“world.“

Better: Better: “I am a slob.”“I am a slob.”

RememberRemember

Have a focus.Have a focus.Be concise.Be concise.Vary sentence structure and vocabulary.Vary sentence structure and vocabulary.Use active voice.Use active voice.Be vivid and concrete.Be vivid and concrete.Let your voice come through.Let your voice come through.Do not repeat information from your Do not repeat information from your

application.application.