When it comes to applying for college, there is one question on every graduating high school senior’s mind: What are some tips on writing an essay for college admission? Keep reading to find out more about the college essay.
Think about it: This is the one time on your application that you will not be judged by how many blanks you can fill or how high your scores were. Of course, your GPA, your class rank, your SAT scores, and your ACT scores are critical aspects of your application, and your school can accept you or deny you just based upon these ideas. Furthermore, when filling out the blocks for your activities, or submitting your resume, you allow yourself to be defined by what you do.
The essay, on the other hand, is a fresh chance for you to tell your story. You get to start now with a blank page, instead of trying to improve scores or grades to impress college admissions counselors. You can be as creative as possible instead of worrying about “saying the right thing” or “choosing the right answer.” All this being said, there is a method to the madness of writing a college admissions essay. Read on for more information about tips on writing an essay for college admission.
Many people choose to write about a person who has influenced them or a significant event in their life that they feel has changed them. These topics give you the opportunity to show your motivations and passions in life, and can reveal a lot of your positive personal qualities and what you aspire to be. College admissions counselors are looking for students who are bright, intelligent, and going to grow a lot in their program, so they are looking for inspired – and inspirational – students who are ready to take their learning to the next level.
Some people write about a personal struggle that they have had to overcome – the loss of a close family member or friend, a personal story of dealing with an illness or serious setback. These stories show the admissions board that you are impressive and not like the typical halfhearted writers that they are used to hearing about on applications.
Its true – most of us go through a period in high school when our grades slip, our attitudes drop, and our activities slump. Sometimes, this is reflected on our resume and can make us look like we’ve messed up. Whether or not it was your fault, there is a tactful way to explain any slip ups that you have had in high school using your essay.
College admissions counselors are often eager to see that you have grown and learned from your mistakes. Sometimes, people are interested to know in how you have dealt with your past, and how you continue to deal with it by changing for the better. Make sure that if you deal with any tricky subjects that you accept responsibility for your actions instead of finding others to blame in your essay. Admissions counselors are looking for self-starters and responsible students, so make sure that you aren’t taking the easy way out when it comes to your essay.
The reality is, as many tips and tidbits of advice as you receive, your number one priority is to make sure that your college essay is reflective of you as a person. Some colleges even ask you to specifically write about yourself and your experiences – rise to the challenge!
Also make sure that you make plenty of drafts of your essays and that you proofread, proofread, proofread. Have parents, siblings, friends, guidance counselors, and teachers take a look at your writing and offer you revisions and advice. Make sure that they can understand your point of your essay, too. They can offer great tips on writing an essay for college admission from experience.