CCS GUIDANCE GAZETTE on the Web

TIPS FOR WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

Information taken from Joseph Hill, Director, College Placement Services of New England

1. Organization and neatness are critical! It is a good idea to write a thesis statement before beginning. A thesis statement is the main statement or idea you want to make about yourself in the essay. Never stray from your statement. Use good paragraph development and grammar, and have no spelling mistakes. Strive for an eye-catching opening and a conclusion that illuminates your personality. Narrow your topic. Essays should be no more than two pages, with one page being preferable. Instead of writing about "my experience as an actor," you should write about one character you portrayed and what you learned from the experience.
2. Be Unique! If after reading your essay you can honestly say that no one else in the world could write it - you have a unique work. To accomplish this, consider writing about personal experiences, family members, etc., if the essay topic allows for this. Again, if the essay allows, avoid trendy or current topics that are widespread in the news or thrown around freely at school. Make your topic stand out and be different.
3. Be open and revealing! Express true feelings, and be sincere and honest. You need to show things about yourself, not just tell. Actions speak louder than words.
4. Humor is always welcome! However, don't use humor unless you are good at it. Nothing falls flatter than a funny essay that isn't funny. Also, don't be cynical or sarcastic, be appropriate.
5. If you choose a controversial topic, state it calmly and offer constructive ideas. Do not get ful or angry. Be positive and address all sides of the argument, not just your own. Don't appear as a know-it-all or as a frustrated person, or dwell on sadness or melancholy.
6. Do not brag or blatantly promote yourself. No "chest-beating". Of course, you have to tell about yourself and your accomplishment, awards, and activities. However, state them in a factual manner, not as a conceited, cocky person.
7. Do not be afraid to write about personal shortcomings or experiences from which you learned a lesson. Turning a negative into a positive is a sign of maturity.
8. Possibly consider something a little daring. Some students prefer to write a poem instead of an essay. That's acceptable as long as it fulfills all the requirements of the essay. Remember you want to separate your essay from the hundreds of other essays in the admissions / scholarship office. Pay close attention to the instructions. If creativity is encouraged or invited, indulge.
9. Don't write an academic paper. Stay away from topics designed to show your knowledge. Again, unless the essay directions state otherwise, the essay is about you.
10. Avoid procrastination! Think and plan your essay early. Then writing the essay can be enjoyable, challenging and stress-free. Also, remember, deadlines are critical!

    Writing effective admissions essays (taken from AIE Mail, 9/11)

    You may be avoiding starting your college applications or research assignments because you don't like writing. However, because effective writing will play a significant role in the admissions process, it is important that you tackle the task head on. Allow yourself plenty of time. Remember, writing out your thoughts can help you develop them. Writing isn’t just a matter of neatly expressing ideas you’ve already had. You’re also likely to think of things in new ways during the writing process.

    An important thing to remember is that your college admissions essay will only be one part of your full application — there are many other factors that admissions officers will consider to determine whether you will be successful at their school. Your essay will complement the other components of your application.
    One of the purposes of the essay is for the college to learn more about you as a person through the way you express yourself in writing. For that reason, a personal story about your own experiences might be a good way to frame or support your main point. Another reason that schools request essays is that they help admissions officers to evaluate your organizational and critical thinking skills. For that reason, you should make sure your ideas follow logically.

    Most applications that request an essay offer you at least two options for topics you may write about. Choose the topic that you have more interest in, and try to prepare an essay that shows your uniqueness and individualism. Although it is important to show your knowledge, try to write in a way that is clear, focused, and in your own voice. If you include too many “SAT words,” complex sentences, and abstract language, you may actually hurt your chances.

    Many college admissions officers find that the essay gives them a chance to see the "student behind the application," particularly if the school does not require an admissions interview. Concentrate on showing the reader "the real you," and your essay might generate enough interest for selection, or at least further consideration.