The College Application Course Target: I will apply my knowledge of the six traits of writing in my technical writing.

Goal: The college application’s sole purpose is to get the recipient to read your application and your essay. It should be written clearly and concisely.

Importance Every student deserves the opportunity to attend the college of his or her choice. To have a chance at getting accepted, you need to meet the minimum requirements for acceptance. But beyond those minimums, the most important element is the quality and professionalism of the actual application and essay.

What is the first thing you should do when writing an application? Review the application instructions for important information on the application process and guidance on preparing specific sections of the application.

College Application: 5 Strategies for Success 1.Get Organized 2.Focus on Accomplishments/Leadership/Commu nity Service 3.Master the Application 4.Plan, Write, Edit, Rewrite, and Proof your Essay(s) 5.Seek Outside Assistance and Criticism

1. Get Organized Develop a checklist or spreadsheet with critical elements needed for your applications – along with the deadlines. (i.e. Official high school transcript, standardized test scores, etc.)

2. Focus on Accomplishments/Community Service Your accomplishments, leadership experiences, and community service can be a critical tool in helping you showcase your strengths and separate yourself from all the other applicants with similar GPAs. Take the time to identify and document all your past and current experiences. What organizations have you been involved in? Do you volunteer?

3. Master the Application Take the time to read your application thoroughly before you jump into filling it out! Make an extra copy of your application and make a rough draft before filling out your final one. When you are happy with your rough draft answers, take the time to copy those answers neatly on the final in blue or black ink. Avoid sloppy looking handwriting!

Step 4: Plan, Write, Edit, and Proof Your Essay(s) Besides being well-written, it should also offer insight into your personality. Your essays should be original, personal, and honest. Be sure your essay clearly answers the question. The essay is another chance to distinguish yourself from all the other similar applicants. Some admissions counselors make initial judgments about an application’s strength and standing by grading the personal statement before any other part of the application.

5. Seek Outside Assistance and Criticism Welcome the opportunity to get constructive criticism. The more eyes that read your work and offer positive suggestions, the stronger your final product will be!

College Application Essay: The Three Steps of Success 1.Brainstorm! 2.Draft! 3.Edit!

1. Brainstorming Brainstorm: Set a timer for 15 minutes and make a list of your strengths and outstanding characteristics. Focus on strengths of personality, not things you've done. Discover Your Strengths: Do a little research about yourself: ask parents, friends, and teachers what your strengths are. Create a Self-Outline: Now, next to each trait, list five or six pieces of evidence from your life—things you've been or done—that prove your point. Find Patterns and Connections: Look for patterns in the material you've brainstormed. Group similar ideas and events together.

2. Drafting Write your essay in three basic parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. –The introduction gives your reader an idea of your essay's content. It can shrink when you need to be concise. –The body presents the evidence that supports your main idea. Use narration and incident to show rather than tell. –The conclusion can be brief as well, a few sentences to nail down the meaning of the events and incidents you've described.

3. Editing Let It Cool: Take a break from your work and come back to it later. Does your main idea come across clearly? Do you prove your points with specific details? Is your essay easy to read aloud? Feedback Time: Have someone you like and trust (but someone likely to tell you the truth) read your essay. Ask them to tell you what they think you're trying to convey. Did they get it right? Edit Down: Your language should be simple, direct, and clear. This is a personal essay, not a term paper. Make every word count (e.g., if you wrote "in society today," consider changing that to "now"). Proofread Two More Times: Careless spelling or grammatical errors, awkward language, or fuzzy logic will make your essay memorable—in a bad way.