The Experts on Admissions to Top Colleges - Ivy Compass

College Admissions Essay: 5 Essay Tips

Posted by Jennifer Duran at 9:08 am

With college admissions competition at an all-time high, the personal statement can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection.  Even stellar students can falter if they are careless in the execution of the essay.  Avoid the typical pitfalls with these simple tips:

* Write about something personal that tells a story about you. Write about something you know or have experienced.  The essay needs to give the reader a sense of who you are.  While the essay should address something personal, be very careful exploring topics that are generally uncomfortable or taboo.  For some good examples of bad topics, read this.

* Follow directions. Be sure that your essay addresses the question that is asked and that the length of the essay falls within the range indicated – generally 250-500 words in length, or one to two pages. Applications often include instructions on essay topic and length.  Admissions officers reading through hundreds – sometimes thousands – of applications appreciate students who adhere to the guidelines.

* Begin your essay with a clever opening. An attention grabbing beginning is likely to catch the eye of the reader.  Be sure the rest of the essay passes muster so you can hold the reader’s attention.  The essay should be engaging and the body and conclusion need to support what you set out to discuss in your opening.

* Avoid submitting your resume in essay form. Don’t repeat yourself by restating your extracurricular activities in your personal statement.  Your activity sheet should include all of these involvements and achievements already.  Your essay needs to explore a topic that is not already described in your application—unless you have something compelling to share about a particular experience that cannot be captured on your activity sheet.

* Proofread your essay. Review the essay with an eye for mechanics.  Correct all typos and grammatical errors.  Be mindful of your tone.  Make sure that your essay is neither too formal, nor too informal.  Any careless mistakes will signal to the admissions officer that you are not serious about your candidacy.

Remember that there is a real, live person reading your application.  Writing the college essay is a challenge, but also a great opportunity for you to share who you are and what makes you unique.

Categories: Uncategorized

Tags: application essay