A college application essay plays an important role in the admissions process. Admissions officers need more than high school grades and test scores to understand what sets you apart from other candidates. You may feel that you have to write about an important challenge in your life and how you overcame it, but this is not necessarily the case. You need to figure out what type of essay works best for you when deciding how to write a college essay.
Think About What Sets you Apart
The best way to tell your story is to make it personal and meaningful. Using complex vocabulary to impress or writing what you think admissions officers want to read will have the opposite effect.
You may decide to write about a book, experience or person that’s had an influence on your life. When recounting this, write about how you changed as a result. If you do want to write about a challenge you overcame, a narrative approach is usually best.
You can also write about a series of events or moments connected by a common thread. There are so many threads you can link together in your college essay to bring out different aspects of your character. The more uncommon these connections are, the more memorable the essay will be.
Find Best Examples of Ready Essays
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Carefully Read the Instructions
Many colleges require your college application essay to be between 500 to 650 words. Word limits are there for a reason. If you don’t follow the guidelines, admissions officers may question whether you’ll be able to follow directions when writing assignments. After reading through the instructions to make sure you have understood them, you can start creating an outline and deciding on the main message you want to convey.
Begin with a Compelling Introduction
When considering how to start a college essay, you have to write a compelling introduction. Opening with an interesting story that helps to bring across your personality and character can be a smart move.
Try to avoid clichés in your introduction, as admissions officers will think you don’t have anything original to say. It may be easier to come back and write your introduction after you have written the body of your essay, as you may have a better idea of what you need to say.
Start Early So You Can Write Several Drafts
You need to write your first draft and then set it aside for a few days. Read it again, and you will immediately see how you can improve it. Do this over and over until you are happy with the results. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the reader. A creative essay doesn’t have to be a disorganized, haphazard mess. Deciding on the main ideas you want to express beforehand in your outline gives you the plan to work from.
Avoid Clichés
Admissions officers read so many application essays every year that use clichés. They use common topics and similar words. If you want to stand out, you need to find original ways to express yourself. Reread your essay once you’ve written it and delete any clichés, replacing them with more original thoughts. Think about how you can bring your personality to life. Your college essay can reveal aspects about you and your character in a way that the rest of your application doesn’t reveal.
Make Sure Your Essay Flows Well
Transitions in an essay can make or break it. One way to check this is to highlight the first sentence of each paragraph and read them aloud in order. If they don’t flow, rewrite your paragraphs to make sure your ideas flow from one to another. This is a good way to make sure your essay has a good underlying structure.
Conclusion
When considering how to write your college essay, the above tips will help you. From reading the instructions carefully to avoiding clichés, it’s important to make sure your essay makes the right first impression.
Hey Guys! My name is Richard Andrew. I am a contributor to the Strategy Watch. I have finished my graduation with a major in Economics. My interest areas are Economics, Financial Analysis, Stock Analysis, and Business Strategy.