College Essay

What’s the Point?

What Do I Write About?

Audience

• Written with an admission official in mind

• Does not use slang

Precision

• Essay relates to the topic

• Uses details and avoids generalizations

• Presents clear images relating to the essay topic

• Ideas are organized and logically ordered

Style

• Demonstrates your writing ability

• Variety in sentence structure

• Appropriate vocabulary

• No comic writing

Mechanics

• Grammar and punctuation are correct

• No misspellings

• Proper format (MLA unless otherwise noted)

• 500 words (unless otherwise noted)

Subjects

•What is the writing prompt?

Examples

• Tell us about yourself.• What is something we

should know about you that is not on your application?

Examples

•Describe a humorous experience you have had

Examples

• Please write about a life experience that has influenced your intellectual and personal growth

Examples

• If you had to formulate the perfect admissions question, what would it be, and how would you answer it?

Examples

• Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

Subjects

•Don’t make it tougher than it is

•Look at ordinary experiences

Subjects

•Experiences where you learned something

–About yourself

–About others

Remember the Audience

•Read by adults

•Do not use slang

Watch the Humor

•Avoid comic writing

Keep to the Specified Length

•As a rule, write about 500 words

•Some schools may specify

Use Details

•Be precise

•Paint the picture

Be Yourself

•Use your writing style

•Do not try to overwrite the essay

Proofread #1

•Have someone else read it

Proofread #2

•Spelling and grammar must be checked

Characteristics of a Good College Admissions Essay

• A Compelling and Focused Topic

• Well Organized

• An Interesting Topic or Approach

• Polished and Edited

• Personal and Meaningful

• Good Writing

• Show the Reader That You’re Unique

Tips for Writing Well

• Perfect Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

• Appropriate Vocabulary

• Use an Active Voice

• Vary Sentences

• Use Gender-Neutral Language

• Appropriate Style