College Admissions Essay Writing

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College Admissions Essay Writing
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What is the purpose?

• To persuade the college admissions officer to
  admit you to her/his school.
• To paint a positive picture of yourself as a
  potential student.
• To demonstrate your ability to write and
  articulate your ideas in words.
• To show that you have researched and thought
  carefully about the college to which you are
  applying. It shows, in your own words, why you
  and the college would be a good match.  

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U.S. News World Report

• A survey by the National Association for College
  Admission Counseling (NACAC) identified 8 Big
  Changes to College Admissions in 2010 and 2011.
• More emphasis on application essays. The
  percentage of colleges that give essays lots of
  weight rose from 14 percent in 1993 to 26 percent
  in 2009.

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What an Admission Committee Looks for

• A well written essay. Be sure to use proper
  grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
• Content. Your essay should answer the college
  essay prompt question truthfully and
  insightfully.
• Creativity. Admission committees are reading
  thousands of essays responding to the same
  question. Make sure yours is one that stands out.
  

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The Essay Writing Process

• 1. Prewriting
• Brainstorm
• Discover your strengths
• Create a Self-Outline
• Find patterns and connections
• 2. Drafting
• Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

• 3. Editing
• Let it cool
• Feedback time
• Edit down
• Proof read two more times

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Application Essay Dos

• Plan ahead. A good essay needs time for
  planning, time for writing, and time for
  revisions.
• Read all directions carefully and follow them
  explicitly. If the essay directions state no
  more than 500 words, stick to the limit.
• Be positive and upbeat in your approach even if
  the topic is not.
• Emphasize what you have gained or learned from an
  experience.
• Write in the active voice, and avoid the second
  person (the use of you).
• Use unconventional fonts or formats (such as
  Times New Roman)
• Always make copies of everything, just in case.

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Application Essay Donts

• Dont overdo the language in an attempt to sound
  intellectual.
• Dont be redundant by just repeating things about
  yourself that are stated elsewhere in your
  application.
• Dont be afraid to highlight your strengths and
  talents in the name of modesty.
• Dont try to be cute, use inappropriate language,
  or take liberties with the given topic.
• Dont rely on words and thoughts of others.
• Dont forget to proofread, proofread, proofread!
• Dont introduce yourself to the committee
  Hello, my name is_____ and Im _____ .

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16 Most Common Mistakes in Essay Writing

1. Not answering the question.
2. Showing that you know nothing about the school
3. Parroting back whats on the website or brochure
4. Assuming the persona of who you think the school
   wants
5. Not revealing enough about you
6. Trying to be funny when youre not
7. Forgetting to tie in your goals with the school
8. Not writing about your individual achievements
9. Writing a resume in paragraph form
10. Not explaining what you have learned

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16 Most Common Mistakes in Essay-Writing

• 11. Running out of time
• 12. Not having a point
• 13. Weak introspection or analysis
• 14. Skimping on editors
• 15. Losing your voice through the editing process
• 16. Not proofreading

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Top Ten Tips for Writing a FANTASTIC College
Essay!

• ANSWER THE QUESTION!
• Stay within parameters. (Getting creative is
  okay, straying is not.)
• Focus on your strengths, passions, and what makes
  YOU unique!
• Focus on FIT know enough about the college to
  know why its a good choice for you.
• Structure is essential- 1/3 set up and 2/3 story.
  
• Discuss how you have changed and grown in high
  school.
• Make it representative of YOUR work. If a
  college does not think you are the primary writer
  they are not going to think you are a good
  candidate for their school.
• START EARLY!
• Recycle! Once you write a great essay, you can
  use it for other schools. (But make sure to
  change important words, i.e. dont tell Michigan
  State why Grinnell College is such a great fit
  for you!)
• Dont take the essay lightly. Essays are often
  the first and most read items on your
  application. They are also often the clincher in
  a close decision regarding admissions.

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CKSR Assignment

• Assignment
• Students who are happy with their CKJR essay
  submit a new writing sample of choice (may be an
  non-Common App school essay or a Common App
  Supplement essay)
• Students who are NOT happy with their CKJR essay
  or did not write one pick a prompt from a
  school you plan on applying to and write the
  essay (may be Common App or not)
• This is due OCTOBER 11, 2012

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"Don't write an essay that any one of a thousand
other seniors could write, because they probably
will." - William Poirot
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