seventeen years. 650 words. one opportunity to impress and inspire the admission committee
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Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer. Barbara Kingsolver. Seventeen years. 650 words. One opportunity to impress and inspire the admission committee. Todd Hicks - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.
Barbara Kingsolver
Seventeen years. 650 words.
One opportunity to impress and inspire the admission committee.
Todd HicksAssistant Director of Admission, Santa Clara University
Catherine WaiteAssistant Director of Admission, Santa Clara University
Undergraduate Admissionwww.scu.edu
Applications within the Context of SCU
15,000 applications
10 admission counselors
You do the math
How Do We Decide?
Create a Mosaic
Bringing the Prompts to Life
Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Develop an Image for the Reader
Goalie Essay
Brainstorming
Write down the 1-2 most memorable, notable moments each day, every day
Journal
Seek sources of inspiration
Writing Process
Mimic great college essays or authors
Write to two or more prompts using your own style
Content first
Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.- William Faulkner
Hook the Reader
The morgue may scare most, but I can honestly say that I love it to death. (Excuse the pun; I’m fluent in sarcasm).
When I was five years old, I discovered exactly how many bottles of food coloring it takes to dye a small person green.
Some of my best days have been spent with devils.
“Can’t you speak English?!”
Hook the Reader
This essay is expected to be 650 words, which is approximately how many people attended my little brother’s funeral.
I can’t shake your hand. My religion prevents me from shaking the hand of someone from the opposite sex.
Some rules of the road while driving in India:– It doesn’t matter if it’s your lane, my lane, one way or two ways– Holy cow(s)! Don’t hit ‘em!– Honking is the only language
Conclusion
Hardest part of the essay
Easy to fall into cliché
If you can’t come up with a good conclusion, conclude with your last paragraph
Editing
Content first, then mechanics
Feedback from 1-3 people
Make sure the essay uses your voice
Reflect on what the reader will take away from this essay: 1-2 adjectives
Morgue Essay
Essay Pitfalls
Common topic choices
Essay should be about you, not someone else
Adapting a class paper for a college essay
Diction: choose words you know
Japanese School Essay
The Challenge
Engage in the writing process alongside your students
Make use of local college representatives to assist your students