TIPS ON WRITING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY

TIP #1 Be Concise Common Application main essay has a suggested minimum of 250 words and no upper limit Try to stay below 700 words

TIP #2 Be Honest Don’t embellish your achievements, titles, or roles in activities

TIP #3 Be an Individual Distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants...what makes you different?

TIP #4 Be Coherent Don’t try to cover everything about yourself in one short essay...it will seem too scattered Think of this as a snapshot

TIP #5 Be Accurate Mechanics of good writing spelling punctuation - Don’t be afraid to ask for a proofreader

TIP #6 Be Vivid Provide details Paint a picture for the reader

TIP #7 Be Likable Colleges see themselves as communities; will you be someone who adds to that?

TIP #8 Be Cautious Using Humor Humor is subjective, so it’s best to err on the side of caution

TIP #9 Be Controversial (if you can) Don’t be bland Feel free to write about a controversial topic as long as you are balanced and thoughtful Offer reasons and logical arguments for your view

TIP #10 Be Smart Show intellectual vitality Why does a subject interest you?