It's senior year and college application deadlines are sneaking up on us high school students. It's usually the same process for most schools, personal information, possible majors, and the infamous application essay. Many will ask themselves why? Why am I slaving over this over heated computer critiquing every sentence? Why am I googling sophisticated terms and references in order to jazz up my paper? Well, according to college board, essays are the cherry on top of your application. An excellent essay can tip the scale for you and improve your chance of acceptance over another student's. As much as we dread the sort it is a necessary evil.
So, how can we be superior to other applicants? What makes a great essay? How will my use of language propel me forward? What makes a not so great essay? What is the point? Well, here are some checklists I've compiled from College Board and other scholarly sources to help improve your writing and maybe give a better understanding.
Add
-Have a clear topic or direction of your essay; You, the college, whatever the prompt may be. Start your essay with a powerful first sentence.
-Be mature.
-Display your personality and character... What do you enjoy? What makes you, you? Maybe connect with a short story or experience but not a life story.
-Add in a dash of humor. Bring a smile to your reader's face BUT remember to keep it mature.
-Tone is key, don't brag and don't whine, try to balance your success and be humble.
-Check Grammar, punctuations, and spelling. Have others proof read for you.
-Prove yourself, use your skills in language and back your ideas up. Ask teachers for help or do some research if writing or English is a weakness.
-Follow the prompt, do not become side tract with fluff or irrelevant details to the story and make sure you cover every aspect of the question.
-Be sincere.
-Be specific.
-Include a thesis, body, and conclusion.
-"Be yourself, but be your best self." ("How To Write Your College Application Essay")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9J7AxXHG3Y
Subtract
-Avoid making the essay your life story but connect yourself in the essay with experience. Stay focused on proving yourself
-Do not flood your essay with your accomplishments and activities and interest. Confusing I know. Keep yourself involved in the essay but there are other areas in the application to completely flaunt your sport awards or extra-curricular activity skills.
-Do not tell your full life story or in other words don't tell the school more than they need to know. Chances are they are more interested in your actions of good citizenship and pride than the pair of shoes you wore when you went to a concert with your friends Pete, John, and Laura. Unless of course this ties in with your topic.
-Keep humor or amusement to a dash, don't fill the essay with corny jokes
-Again, don't brag of your accomplishment or make excuses for your failures, show off but with humility.
-Don't ramble.
-Don't lie.
-Don't rely on computer spell check.
Why?
After reviewing the checklist you may still be questioning the purpose. The essays are here to help us, as much as we hate them. These essays allow us to use English and language to build ourselves up and prove ourselves worthy of admittance. These essays allow us to use English and language to set ourselves apart from the other applicants. They allow us to make ourselves memorable to the reader. They allow us to use English and language to stray from the cliché. These essays are our friend if we use them correctly. Well written essays can advance a norm student beyond a stellar student. A 4.0 gpa and a poor essay will have you pushed aside as opposed to a not so high gpa and a marvelous essay. The point is, take advantage of this lovely at-home writing. Colleges are literally taking our word for why we should be accepted so put yourself out there and prove what a great addition you will be for the school.
If you are still puzzled, follow the lists, do some research, complete your essay, and soon you'll be able to answer the question why on your own. You will discover just one of many places our language can take us.
For extra help check out this video. It's a bit longer but it's step by step and VERY helpful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf2LQFG0lZs
Other helpful sites:
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_tips.htm
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/essay
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hansen-shaevitz/college-essay-tips-_b_1719862.html
