Tips for your admissions essay
Along with your academic record and test scores, the admissions essay serves as another important aspect of your college application. It allows the admissions officer to see the personal side of you and how much youcan contribute to the college or university.
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Suggestions for a more successful admissions essay:
- Answer the question. This might seem obvious and simple, but it is one of the most overlooked aspects of admissions essays.
- Write naturally, but concisely.
- Use proper grammar and punctuation.
- Personalize your essay. Allow your personality to shine through.
- Provide details to keep the story colorful. Use your everyday vocabulary.
- Write about your own unique, funny, interesting experiences.
- Be honest.
- Tell a story in a relaxed, conversational style.
- Use humor.
- Convey a positive message (avoid cynicism).
- Write about topics you are passionate about.
- Use analogies to convey your message.
- Use logical paragraph breaks.
- Use the active voice.
- Use a large font that is easy to read.
- Proofread several times and get feedback from valued sources.
Avoid the following:
- Overselling yourself or trying too hard.
- Rehashing facts that can be found elsewhere in the application package.
- Writing a scholarly or overly academic paper.
- Appearing overly idealistic or preachy. Avoid essays on “world peace.”
- Trying to explain blemishes on your record.
- Discussing dysfunctional family issues.
- Using trite, tired themes for the focus of the essay. Be original.
- Using large, pretentious words. Put away the thesaurus.
- Overusing adjectives.
- Being boring and monotonous.
- Being gimmicky.