Junior Year Class of 2014

 Assessment of communication skills.  Demonstrate the depth of understanding of intellectual and social issues.  Enables the admissions committee to learn more about you.  Displays talents, abilities, and traits that are not always apparent in an item entry or transcript.  Supports and supplements the application without restating information.

 Start Early  Research each college/university  Be Yourself and Be Honest  Take a risk  Show rather than tell  Brainstorm specific concrete examples that you are proud of throughout high school  Get reviews and revise, revise, revise

Know your audience! Readers may range from seasoned admissions staff to inexperienced members Teaching faculty often make up part of an admissions committee May be reviewed by a reader or two; private college applications typically start with a single reader and are often advanced to a committee for final decision- making The only sure method that you can have is to write well about something that is important to you; don’t try to guess what the reader wants or his/her background/bias The deeper you understand the institution to which you are applying, the better the essay you’ll write

 Common Application prompts generally allow for more choice; however, they are often paired with supplemental essays or items that are specific to the college.  More to come on Common App.  Always choose the prompt that allows you to best express who you are Different Types of Essay  “You”  “Why” or “Why Us”  Creative  The 4 D’s and controversial topics

 Writing in a narrative, storytelling style is perfectly acceptable  Using vivid, descriptive language is the best way to capture your experiences, values, and beliefs  Sharing what you have brought to your community, school or other domain, and how you have made it better, should be a primary focus  Make sure to convey your passion both in your general topic and how you write  Organization is key to a strong essay

7  Avoid irrelevant background information  Understand meaning of key words  Ensure that response addresses what the prompt asks for  Make sure each sentence advances the argument  Avoid a collection of facts or examples  Use concrete details and make them clear, rich and meaningful

 Length Range  250 to 500 Common Application 1 – 1 ½ pages single spaced  Format  Prepare to Write—Purpose, Message, Tone, Style  Focus on content first-Write  Long/wordy vs. short/simple  2 nd Opinions

Once you’ve written a draft, allow for time to step away and let the essay “rest” for at least a few days Seek feedback from more than one person, and also solicit input from those who know you in different contexts Although, while it is acceptable to receive feedback or helpful suggestions, your personal statements should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone Limit yourself to two or three readers; there’s a line to be drawn between limited input and too much input Do not allow for grammatical and spelling errors

 Students are encouraged to write about special circumstances that have influenced their educational experience  Moving and reconnecting to another school  Small or alternative learning environments  Learning and/or physical challenges  Major events in family life  Interests/hobbies 10

 One of the six essay choices may be used  Some Common Application member colleges and universities simply require one of the six essay choices; many require supplemental essay(s) and information that is specific to the institution  The supplemental essays/information can also be downloaded from The Common Application website  These are school specific; part of the purpose is to separate serious applicants who know and understand the culture of the college/university from those who may be applying for the sake of applying  The supplemental essay(s) generally allow for the most creativity and may be the best reflection of who you are

Example: Emerson College Supplement Essay  As you know, the academic programs at Emerson College are focused on communication and the arts. Please tell us what influenced you to select your first choice major and, if applicable, your second choice major. If you're undecided about your major, what attracted you to Emerson's programs? Please be brief ( words).

Gather Information Read Critically Develop Topic and Thesis Draft, Get Feedback, Revise

14 Our question: How have you taken advantage of the educational opportunities you have had in high school to prepare for college? Your topic: The role of Hopedale in your academic preparation Your thesis: Asserts why and how Hopedale was a significant preparation experience and how you utilized the offerings

Although my school does not offer Advanced Placement Spanish Literature, I wanted to master Spanish so that I could enrich my understanding of the literature of Latin America and prepare for my eventual career goal of becoming a diplomat. I prepared on my own for the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature exam, and as a result have become a more disciplined and engaged student in all of my classes. 15

16 Example question: What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest developed…describe any experience and what you have gained from your involvement. Your topic: Why I will study literature Your thesis: Asserts why and how literary study has contributed to your academic and career growth

 Brainstorm-Who are you?  Discover your strengths  Self Outline-Evidence of traits  Tips:  Save your work often  Logout after each session  Use a word processor to type your writing samples before cutting and pasting or uploading them into the online forms.  Use Print Previews to view your forms before submitting.  Either submit the application, supplement and payment (or fee waiver) online, or submit them all by mail.

Please write an essay ( words) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. 1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. 2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. 3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. 4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence. 5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. 6. Topic of your choice Assignment Due June 7 th to Mrs. Mayotte