Dear Parent/Guardian,



College Application Essay Assignment

Purpose: To prepare a 1-2 page narrative essay that will improve an applicant’s likelihood of selection for college admission. I highly recommend you pick a prompt from a school to which you will likely apply next fall.

Objectives:

• To provide personal information and insights not included on a standard application and/or transcript

• To gain positive attention by establishing applicant as an individual, not simply a GPA or statistic

• To instill confidence in applicant’s ability to write a coherent, organized essay

• To set oneself apart from the thousands of applicants

Requirements:

• An organized autobiographical or reflective essay with a reasonable beginning, middle, and an end that includes the following:

- a theme in the form of a universal truth or personal trait

• Consistent, personal, clear theme/philosophy

• Demonstrates a command of the basics of good writing

• Minimum of one full page, maximum of two

College application essay format

1. The introduction should stimulate the reader’s interest and develop the tone and setting of the essay. Some strategies that may be used to grab the reader’s attention are as follows:

- Present a vivid scene

- Develop a philosophical stance

- Offer an interesting and relevant quotation

- Relate an episode or anecdote

- Attack a general misconception

- State an opinion

2. The body of the essay should specifically develop the story and theme in a logical, well-organized manner. It should maintain the established tone and maintain or increase the reader’s interest.

3. The conclusion should leave the reader with a lasting impression and give a sense of finality. One might use the conclusion to state the theme of the essay. Be memorable here!

Topic selection

To find a successful topic, heed the following advice:

1. Be specific. Don’t try to take on too much. Narrow and condense ideas.

Ask, “What am I attempting to demonstrate or prove in this essay?”

2. Make a decision. Choose a reflective essay — link an experience to a universal truth about humankind, or choose an autobiographical essay — tell a story that reveals a personal value.

3. Be realistic. Make certain the topic can be covered in the space provided.

4. Be unique. Don’t repeat information that can be found anywhere else in the application.

Choose a topic that will set you apart from others.

5. Be sincere. Show your genuine interest in the topic and make sure it reveals some important aspect of your individuality.

Still stuck? Try one of the following general subject areas to generate a specific and focused topic.

• Personal and memorable experiences

• Strong belief in a social cause

• Life obstacle you have overcome

• Conflicts — internal, parental, peer, religious, etc

• Intellectual growth and achievements

• Personal or spiritual growth

• Artistic endeavors

• Humorous happenings

• Philosophical ideas

• Handicaps or hardships

• Role models

• Lasting impressions

• Favorite reading or writing experiences

Goals and future plan

Sample college application essay questions:

1. The “You” question:

• "How would you describe yourself as a human being? What quality do you like best in yourself and what do you like least? What quality would you most like to see flourish and which would you like to see wither?" (Bates College)

• “Describe the most challenging obstacle you have had to overcome; discuss its impact and tell what you have learned from the experience.” (Guilford College)

• "Tell us a story about yourself that will help us to know you better. Illustrate one or more themes, events, or individuals that have helped shape you. Be clear and forceful." (University of Southern California)

2. The “Why Us” question:

• "Please tell us about your career goals and any plans you may have for graduate study." (Westfield State College)

• “What experiences have led you to select your professional field and objective” (Boston University)

• “At the University of Michigan, we are committed to building a superb educational community with students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and cultural backgrounds. What would you as an individual bring to our campus community?” (University of Michigan)

3. The “Creative” question:

• “In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge your generation will face? What ideas do you have for dealing with the issue?” (College of the Holy Cross)

• “John Keats said, ‘Even a proverb is no proverb until your life has illustrated it.’ Please tell us about an experience in your life which illustrated a proverb, maxim, or quote that has special meaning for you.” (Duke University)

Helpful writing tips:

• Don’t say in ten words what you could say in five; understand the value of language

• Make a point and stick to it; develop just one argument or narrative

• Remember the focus of this essay is YOU-keep yourself as the focus of this writing

• Humor and sarcasm are very risky, so be careful if you attempt to use this

• This is your story-be proud of your own life and use those experiences, not someone else’s!

• Create the scene and allow the reader to empathize (feel with) you and your situation

• Appreciate the lessons in your life and portray that to your audience

College application essay audience

Know the audience: the admissions officer. Who are these people? What do they expect?

The following are selections from “Writing the College Application Essay: Ten Steps to Success”

• I am always looking for a fresh point of view.

• I look for personality behind the pen.

• I don’t want to read what the applicant thinks I want to hear. I want to hear what he wants to say.

• I almost always look for energy and enthusiasm in an essay.

• A perspective of a student’s values should emerge.

• I like an applicant who is willing to explore and investigate himself.

• No essay is measured against some ideal response, for there isn’t one.

• Some essays are nothing but a catalog of details, like a computer printout. I need something to relate to in an essay.

College application essay pre-write

Generate a list to brainstorm ideas for a topic.

1. Choose ten adjectives that best describe you. Justify each adjective with an example.

Have a friend or family member do the same. Compare notes.

2. Catalog all of your positive characteristics. Find at least one example for each.

3. Consider positive and negative forces that have influenced you.

4. List your most memorable experiences.

5. Describe any special talents or interesting hobbies.

6. Seriously consider the reasons you want to go to college.

7. Reflect on your goals in college and beyond.

8. Answer this question: Why should the college of your choice accept you instead of someone else with similar qualifications?

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