College Application Essay

The points to keep in mind while writing a college application essay

Admissions to colleges are becoming more and more difficult due to increasing number of applicants. Very often, admissions are based on there things- marks, interview and essay. Writing a college application essay will make or break your chances to gain admission.

The essay may be only a few hundred words but it will decide the prospect of acceptance or rejection. Your application essay will reveal the facets of your personality that set you apart from others. It will reveal aspects to the admission committee not evident through your test scores, extra curricular pursuits and grades.

Writing a College application essay is a most daunting task. Use the essay to tell a story about yourself or your favorite activity or even about your dog. But make sure it is a compelling account that captures the reader’s imagination and sets you apart. It must present a vivid and personal perspective of you to the admission staff.

Here are some points to keep in mind while writing your College application essay:

-Have a narrow focus: Your essay must have a single focus from start to finish. The reader must be able to gauge the main point from beginning to end. Get someone to read the essay and find out what it is about. Essay which are packed with different ideas tend to seem watered down. The aim should not be to include all details of whatever you have done so far (The C.V. will do that) but to reveal what kind of person you are.

- Explain your theme: Develop your main thesis with examples, descriptions, facts and quotations.

E.g. “I have many interests” can be better put as “ I love tinkering with musical instruments, trying my hand at pottery, sculpture and cooking and also spending time in the local club , practising swimming and gymnastics.”

-Be brief: Don’t use fifty words where only five will do.

- Avoid lists: Many college applicants make the mistake of listing all their accomplishments again in their College application essay. Such essays read like tedious lists like laundry lists. There are other places in your application where such accomplishments can be listed.

-Have a clear idea: the most engaging application essay tells a compelling story with a clear focus. Through carefully chosen words, the essay must expose your personality and passions. A description of a difficult time in your life reads better than any awards won. Use your essay to show that your personality has depth.

-A touch of humor: While it dwells on serious themes, you don’t want you essay to be too morose. Lighten up your essay with a finny quote or some self deprecating humour. But be very careful not to over do it. Essays loaded with off color jokes and puns often end up in the waste basket. Substance cannot be substituted by humour. Make sure your essay does not read to be too foolish.

-Right Tone: It is important to get the right tone. A 500 word essay bragging about your accomplishments or complaining about bad circumstances in your life both, can turn off readers. It is wise to balance your achievements with generosity and humility towards others.

- Expose your character: Along with grades and scores most universities place a premium on character and personality. The College application essay is the most revelatory about your personality. Most colleges are not on the look outing for high scores but balanced personalities on their campus.

- Proof read: Grammatical errors and spelling mistakes can mar your chances of being accepted. If excessive these make you essay incomprehensible. Even a few errors can go against you. So remember to proof read thoroughly before you send the essay.

If you are not strong in language seek external help like that of your teacher. There are also a number of websites offering services of writing a College application essay like Coursework-Writing.co.uk.

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