Telling Your Story to Colleges
So what does set you apart?
You have a unique background, interests and personality. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.
Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.
You don't need to have started your own business or have spent the summer hiking the Appalachian Trail. Colleges are simply looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add something to the first-year class.
Tips for a Stellar College Application Essay
1. Write about something that's important to you.
It could be an experience, a person, a book—anything that has had an impact on your life.
2. Don't just recount—reflect!
Anyone can write about how they won the big game or the summer they spent in Rome. When recalling these events, you need to give more than the play-by-play or itinerary. Describe what you learned from the experience and how it changed you.
3. Being funny is tough.
A student who can make an admissions officer laugh never gets lost in the shuffle. But beware. What you think is funny and what an adult working in a college thinks is funny are probably different. We caution against one-liners, limericks and anything off–color.
4. No repeats.
What you write in your application essay or personal statement should not contradict any other part of your application–nor should it repeat it. This isn't the place to list your awards or discuss your grades or test scores.
5. . Answer the question being asked.
Don't reuse an answer to a similar question from another application.
6. Have at least one other person edit your essay.
A teacher or college counselor is your best resource. And before you send it off, check, check again, and then triple check to make sure your essay is free of spelling or grammar errors.
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First, what is the personal statement?
This is your main essay. Your application centerpiece. The part of your application you’re likely to spend the most time on. But of course I’d say that; I’m the College Essay Guy. The personal statement is likely to be 500-650 words long and many of the colleges you’re applying to will require it.
What’s its purpose? Jennifer Blask, Executive Director for International Admissions at the University of Rochester, puts it beautifully: “So much of the college application is a recounting of things past—past grades, old classes, activities the student has participated in over several years. The essay is a chance for the student to share who they are now and what they will bring to our campus communities.”
Basically, college admissions officers are looking for three things in your essay:
Who is this person?
Will this person contribute something of value to our campus?
Can this person write?
20 QUESTIONS TO HELP get started with your essay With this objects exercise,you You are creating your essence box.
THE PURPOSE OF THE OBJECTS EXERCISE
T.S. Eliot once said: “The only way to express emotion in art is through an objective correlative.”
What’s an objective correlative? It’s an object to which you correlate emotions, memories, and complex meanings. It’s an object that’s more than an object.
What’s a food that reminds you of your family?
What’s something that reminds you of “home” (whatever “home” means to you)?
What’s an object that represents one of the people who raised you?
What’s an object that reminds you of something you find fascinating?
What’s an object that reminds you of a tradition or ritual in your family?
What’s an object that represents a secret, or something not a lot of people know about you?
What’s something really nerdy/geeky that you love?
If your house was on fire and you could save just three (non-technology) objects, what would they be?
What makes you feel safe?
What’s your actual superpower? What are you really good at?
What’s something you’re known for among your friends?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Something that represents a way that you identify?
Something that represents a community you’re a part of?
What’s a nickname you have?
What’s something you could teach someone else to do?
Name three objects from your room.
What’s the moment you left childhood behind?
What’s your favorite photo?
What’s a dream or goal you have for the future?
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
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