By: Lauren Beth Kelly
It’s that time of the year, where high school Juniors and Seniors start looking to the future. Choosing where to go to to college is a major decision, and the application process for each one is no joke. Some universities accept the Common App, but others require applicants to complete a unique admissions essay. Read on for our tips on writing the perfect college admissions essay!
A college admissions essay should describe your unique background by telling a personal story that explains why you’re a good fit for an institution. When choosing a topic that ties in with your chosen application prompt, be sure to decide on something that shows your uniqueness.
Throughout the essay writing process, keep in mind the vast amount of essays college admissions advisors have to view, and that they’re looking for those that stand out. Your essay should be as engaging and interesting as if you were writing a short story. So, try to choose an essay topic about something meaningful that adds some color to the rest of your application.
Since you’re writing about yourself, it’s also important to use your own natural writing style and voice. The application essay should, however, also show off your best writing skills. So, don’t write simply as if you were carrying on a conversation, either.
Before you begin writing, be sure to also spend some time brainstorming! This is a critical part of the essay writing process. You also can plan by first using an outline which includes your introduction, body, and conclusion.
When writing your introduction, try to clearly establish the tone of your essay, and be sure to present your most significant information early. Then, develop the rest of your essay based upon this content. But don’t just restate the essay prompt. Pro tip: make the first sentence of your essay really gripping and captivating, so the admissions advisors actively want to keep reading.
Within the body of your essay, there are many ways to engage your reader. For example, the elements of mystery and surprise can be especially effective. Or, creating a powerful description in the mind of your readers through the use of concrete details is another engaging method to use.
You also have a lot of freedom within the middle paragraphs of your essay in terms of how to present information. For example, you could make use of anecdotes, or tell a certain type of narrative.
In your conclusion, try to readdress your key themes by showing how they complement each other. For example, addressing goals in your conclusion is an effective way to end. Here, you are tying themes together within the context of the future.
The primary function of your conclusion should be to leave the reader with a lasting impression. However, be sure not to add any new information at this point.
When revising your essay, make sure it comes off as professional, but not robotic. Have your peers, parents, and teachers review it for poor formatting, eliminating redundancy, and rephrasing confusing language. Remember that it often takes multiple drafts to perfect a quality essay.
Finally, when you submit your essay, remember to include your name, contact information, and ID number if provided.
Good luck!
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