College Essay Fun!

Let them get to know YOU A personal statement that reveals who you are can really set your application apart from others, especially if you feel ‘average’ or privileged. Honest, revealing ones are persuasive A narrative, in which you tell a story, can often be the most engaging: think “show,” not “tell”. In your story use the literary concepts you’ve analyzed in school: The story you write about having to teach yourself to change your car’s oil alone in the dark after skiing all day is symbolic of your perseverance and likelihood to succeed at State. Follow the narrative with reflection that responds to the prompt based on the story you’ve told.

Keep it Honest Write for yourself...make it honest....not with an eye to "what do they want"? They want to know who you are. You'll never be able to tell them if you're looking at them instead of yourself.

Avoid… The “D’S” Death* Drugs Depression Divorce Sports Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do Avoid overly-flowery prose Phony, overly-dramatic, cute, or cliché narratives Don’t write a resume or a list

Use the writing process You'll probably have to redo this statement at least a couple of times to make it say what you want to. Editing is key. That being said, this is not an essay for your English class. “I” is a perfectly acceptable (encouraged!) pronoun to use in these. Also you might need to switch narrative tense (past-present-future*) These are about VOICE

Why do they make me do this? To get a glimpse of you as a person To get insight objective data can't give To see a sample of your writing

Prompts The topics test your imagination, thinking, and writing ability. Admissions people read lots, how can you make yours stand out? Give you a chance to set yourself apart and make your application come alive. Don’t let them trick you! Always remember, this is your opportunity to sell yourself… what makes YOU so great that this school just needs to accept you!

Example Prompts We encourage you to be thoughtful and not stress about what the right answer might be. We simply want to get to know you better. Each response should be no more than 150 words.  “Reflections” Category: Respond to one of the following. Share about something you want to bring from your community to the Emory University community. Share about a time when you questioned something that you believed to be true. Emory University’s shield is a crossed torch and trumpet representing the light of learning and the proclamation of knowledge. It symbolizes our mission to impact the world through discovery. What truth or knowledge do you want to see shared? “Tell us about you” Category: Respond to one of the following. Which book, character, song, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) represents you, and why? If you could witness a historic event first-hand, what would it be, and why?  If asked to write a 150-word tweet to tell the world who you are, what would you say? (Yes, the actual Twitter character limit would likely be shorter than 150 words, but thanks for indulging us.)

2019-2020 Common Application Essay Prompts 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. 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? Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 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. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 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? 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.

Before starting to write… do some (read: lots) brainstorming … Why am I going to college in the first place? Why am I writing this story for this college. Do some research. What does State look for in its students? Smaller schools will have more information and cultural information available. What do I want most out of college? Least? What about the trade-offs? (Big or small, city or country, more demanding or more friendly) What do I want out of life, or in life – something tangible (status) or intangible (happiness)?

Do some research. What does State look for in its students Do some research. What does State look for in its students? Smaller schools will have more information and cultural information available.

Do some research. What does State look for in its students Do some research. What does State look for in its students? Smaller schools will have more information and cultural information available.