The Personal Narrative College Entrance Essay

By Alan Geib 2008 adapted from Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps: Crafting a Winning Personal Statement By Alan Geib 2008 adapted from

Step One: Understanding the Narrative The college essay is the modern “interview.” The reader forms an opinion of you based on the “meeting” (essay). Essay is the most important part of a selective college’s application process Only part of application process where you can set yourself apart.

Narrative : tells a story 4 problems must be addressed The Once The Ordinary vs. the Extraordinary Tension and Conflict The Point Avoid – predictable, overly sentimental, poorly told, too self-promoting Reasons to write – to confess, amuse, connect, preserve alarm, etc.

The Once - Specific point in time where the narrative takes place Ordinary v.s Extraordinary – How is this moment different from the usual moments?

Tension and Conflict – What is the struggle of opposing forces Tension and Conflict – What is the struggle of opposing forces? Is the conflict outer or inner? The Point – Why does the reader care? What is to be learned? The point can be obvious or subtle – allowing the reader to decide.

Step Two: Finding the Topic Plan on presenting yourself as a real person – flawed! Keep time/space limitations in mind – no epics. Remember essay needs conflict and resolution ( the point)

Step Three: Point of View First person is the recommended path. Second person (you) is awkward and best left to the professionals. Third person removes the personal element – not the goal here. Use of past tense – makes essay reflective. Use of present tense for closing paragraph allows for currency. Consistent tense – keeps reader on track

In Media Res “in the middle of” Starting in the middle brings the reader to attention, gives immediacy, and pares down tedious introductions.

Step Four: Getting It Down Go overboard with ideas; worry about cutting later Be non-judgmental of your ideas Avoid being sarcastic, overly emotional, smart-alecky, or slavish Read it out loud to listen for passive voice, repetitive sentences, awkward phrasing Get over it – forget failure, falling short, and difficulty. Just do it.

Set aside the first draft so it can percolate. Read it again after a day or two. Ask several others to read it. Don’t fall in love - Be prepared to cut, change, and rearrange.

Step Five: “Big Picture” Editing Concept problems – It just doesn’t make sense. Start over. Presentation – it doesn’t sound natural. Work on the language issues. Structure – too much of something; not enough of something else. Outline the essay, and you’ll see it. Tone – it seems desperate or overly emotional. Evaluate your word choice and remember your point.

Identifying the Conflict Go beneath the surface of the problem to reveal the real issue at hand. Remember that the conflict is what makes the piece readable.

What’s the Point? What did you learn from the experience? The point is the reason you wrote the essay.

Step Six: Second Draft Second draft is for restructuring. Eliminate the extraneous details. Cut from the introduction first. Play with time – in media res, ending first, real time Delete: the apologetic; the sarcastic; the maudlin; the smarmy; the overly dramatic; the been there/done that Be certain your ending has the point.

Step Seven: Self-Edit Get rid of clichés, metaphor, and similes that everyone knows. Evaluate amount of space allocated to each section of the essay. Vary sentence lengths. Use punctuation to regulate rhythm of essay. Use a natural tone and formality. Employ active voice rather than passive voice.