| College
Guidance Counseling
College
Essay Writing
Introduction
If you
are like most students, you see the college essay as another hurdle
that you must jump over on the way to being accepted at the college
of your choice. In fact, the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity;
it is a chance for you to "talk" directly to the college's
admissions committee and to help them "see" you as a thinking
and feeling person, rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics.
Except
for the interview, the essay is your only chance to share your thoughts,
insights and opinions; to highlight your accomplishments; and to convey
your maturity and outlook on life. If you see the college essay in
this way—as an opportunity—then it is clearly worth the
effort to put some extra time, thought and energy into writing it.
Purpose
of the Essay
The college
essay is extremely important for two major reasons:
- It
enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication
skills. Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking
and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form.
- It
enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person,
beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey. A well-written essay
can speak worlds about your attitudes, feelings, personal qualities,
imagination and creativity. For the admissions staff, it adds another
important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an
individual, different from any other student who is applying.
Choosing
a Topic
The choice
of a topic is frequently not an issue, because many colleges and universities
will either give you a topic to write about or present several rather
specific topics from which you must choose. Other colleges may simply
"suggest" broad general topics or give you total freedom
to write about something that interests or concerns you.
Regardless
of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with
one of your own, here are a few general hints about the most effective
way to approach your topic:
- Narrow
your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible.
- Relatedly,
the easiest topic to write about is yourself. No one knows more
about you than you. Since one important purpose of the essay is
self-revelation, it is no place to be shy or modest, although you
should not exaggerate. If you choose to write about yourself, remember
that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of
character and outlook.
- Do
not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different.
A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions
officer who has been reading applications all day. Further, an unusual
or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity.
Preparing
to Write
Before
actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay, spend
some time organizing your thoughts. Develop a framework for your essay
so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or
incident to the next. Consider your purpose in writing, what you want
to convey, and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the
topic. Decide on a style that is comfortable for you, not one that
you think the college admissions committee prefers.
Finally,
remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework
does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start; leave room for
flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing.
Writing
the Essay
You do
not have to get it right the first time! Instead, write the first
draft of your essay with the main focus on content—communicating
your thoughts. Then set it aside for a day or two, reread it with
a fresh perspective, and make any necessary changes. This is also
the point at which you should consider matters of organization, style,
grammar, spelling and tone.
Once
you have rewritten your first draft, you may wish to try it out on
your family, friends, English teacher or guidance counselor. While
the final product and final "voice" should be yours, they
may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements.
Within
this general outline for actually writing the essay, there are some
important "dos" and "don'ts," to pay attention
to:
Do's
- Do
think "small" and write about something that you know
about.
- Do
reveal yourself in your writing.
- Do
show rather than tell. By giving examples and illustrating your
topic, you help bring it to life.
- Do
write in your own "voice" and style.
Don'ts
- Don't
write what you think others want to read.
- Don't
exaggerate or write to impress.
- Don't
use a flowery, inflated, or pretentious style.
- Don't
neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar, spelling, sentence
structure).
- Don't
ramble—say what you have to say and conclude.
Your
college essay, along with your high school record, standardized test
scores and extracurricular involvement, will provide the bases upon
which colleges make admissions decisions. A thoughtful, well-written
essay can effect in a very positive way that final decision. Keep
this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the
college essay affords you.
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Through High Academics and the Arts
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