Aim: Understanding what College Admissions Officers are looking for in your College Essay Do Now: What do you think are some things that College admissions essay readers DO NOT like to see?

Junior Class College Essay March 22, 2017

What is the purpose of a college essay? When Admissions officers read your writing and have to make a decision whether or not to admit you– perhaps over another equally qualified student, what kinds of factors might sway them in your direction? What are they looking for? There are thousands of applications to review. Many of them look similar. Making sense of students “numbers” can be confusing. 91.5 1260 24 90 1230 25 69 1560 31 89.4 1300 24.5 92 1110 24 87 1110 26 94 1240 23 89 1400 28

What is the purpose of a college essay? When Admissions officers read your writing and have to make a decision whether or not to admit you– perhaps over another equally qualified student, what kinds of factors might sway them in your direction? What are they looking for? The essay gives students an opportunity to become individuals, not just numbers, in the eyes of admissions. It can help explain / clarify. It shows that you can write! More importantly, it shows that you can think! This person is so smart! But he must be lazy! This person clearly cheated on the SAT and ACT! Wow. This student is really smart, & considering that her mother just died, she managed to hold it together. Future Writer Here. 91.5 1260 24 90 1230 25 69 1560 31 89.4 1300 24.5 92 1110 24 87 1110 26 94 1240 23 89 1400 28 I know I made a mistake, but I learned…

What do Colleges look for? I’d like to find someone different– someone who gives us a chance to see things from a different perspective. I really hope that whomever I select is actually going to stay, not leave after a year. I want to make sure that who we accept is actually capable of doing our academically rigorous work. It would be a shame if we chose somebody that wouldn’t take advantage of all the new technology and programs we paid a lot of money for. I have to find some one who works well with others, since education and work are more collaborative than ever. It would be REALLY amazing if this person helps put our school on the map– wins an award, Invents or designs something, writes something, creates, something…That would look really good for us. It would be great if the student I choose helps make the campus a better place for other students…maybe heads up a club or gets involved or promotes positive changes…

What do Colleges look for? An essay that demonstrates you are reflective, capable of mature thoughts and understanding or metacognitive. An essay that shows you are committed (to something, to your goals, to a cause, etc.) An essay that is genuine, authentic (written by you, in your own voice, about you) Essays that demonstrate that you are engaged, active, curious, passionate, and/or skilled or have expertise. Essays that take some risk, are personal and perhaps acknowledge your own flaws, mistakes or weaknesses. Essays that stand out from the rest– are interesting from the onset!!

What do Colleges look for? Additionally… Consider that colleges are looking for someone who can/will contribute positively to their university/campus.

What Colleges do NOT want to see… Sloppy essays that are not proofread! (Misspellings, grammar issues, typos, etc). This suggests that you do not really care. Being overly safe (being too guarded will not allow colleges to get to know the real you). An elaborate list of all of your activities (clubs, extra-curricular activities) and accomplishments. Can’t they find this on your application? Transcript? Resume? Cliché, trite conclusions: In the end, I realized that… We are all unique individuals We should appreciate life We should try harder Did your take this out of a book?

What Colleges do NOT want to see… Lack of depth. (If you mostly recall facts or details about an event that happened and you do not really reflect on these, then your writing comes off as lacking significance or meaning. Profanity or very disturbing, horrifying material. While it is true that taking risks is appreciated and experiences that appeal to a readers emotions (pathos) are also effective, use good judgement and don’t go overboard. Avoid using profanity and think twice before writing about something nauseating and traumatizing. Religion and Politics (ideological issues may cause your readers to be biased against you). Forced Writing. When you try too hard to be or write in a way that betrays who you really are…it’s often obvious.

Other Tips… When you write, don’t ask yourself “what does a college want to hear,” but “What should this school know about me??” Remember your PURPOSE: You are trying to “sell yourself.” Every student will do this differently. How will you do it? By writing about an experience and showing how reflective about it I am– how I have learned from my mistakes /experiences and can apply my new learning or understanding. By demonstrating my perseverance or tenacity. By “showcasing” my writing– showing that I am an excellent writer. By showcasing one of my exceptional skills, talents, accomplishments or areas of expertise By showing how passionate and curious I am. All of the above? Suggestion: Write about a really interesting, unique, profound experience. (If you write about a more conventional experience…then you have to write about it in an interesting way!! The pressure is on!) Remember how your English teacher used to say “Show, don’t tell?” Great advice. Your essay will be more interesting.

Make sure you… Know and stick to the word limit!! 650 words on the common app. No more. Write and revise several drafts. Revise is not the same as edit or proofread. It means re-envisioning the way the essay could be. It often means making very big changes, “killing one’s baby,” a poet once described it as. Don’t get too attached to a first draft. Get feedback from several people you trust. PROOFREAD!

2017-2018 COMMON APPLICATION PROMPTS 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. [No change] 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? [Revised] 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised]

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve 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. [No change] 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised] 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? [New] 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. [New]