Writing the College Application Essay Ms. Calhoun AP English Literature/English 4 La Cañada High School

What is the purpose of the college application essay? To show you as a unique person, not just a set of statistics To distinguish you from all other applicants To demonstrate your ability to write and express yourself at a high academic level

Three Main Types of Essays 1.Why you? 2.Why this college? 3.Creative

1. Why you? What sets you apart from other applicants? What do you think about a certain issue? What defines you as a person, student, a sibling, an athlete, a worker?

Example “Why you?” prompts: “Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, or risk that you have taken and its impact on you.” “Discuss some issue of personal, local, national or international concern and its importance to you.” “Indicate a person, character in fiction, an historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, etc.) who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.”

2. Why this university? Avoid mentioning the history of the school. –My personal hero, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, attended UCLA. –USC was founded in 1880, the same year my great great great grandfather bought his house- -the same house we live in today. Avoid platitudes –Stanford is a really great school. Focus on demonstrating your knowledge of specialized programs and majors offered that match your interests.

Example “Why X university?” prompt: “Why do you want to spend two to six years of your life at a particular college, graduate school, or professional school? How is the degree necessary to the fulfillment of your goals?”

3. Creative You pick the format and/or the content –Short story, poem, comic strip –Stream of consciousness, satire You still need to demonstrate your ability to write and express yourself at a high academic level Writing a creative piece is EXTREMELY RISKY unless you are applying to a creative writing program or your are SIMPLY AWESOME at creative pieces

Getting Started Step 1: Choose a Topic –One central experience (disaster, miracle, family incident, etc.) –One theme (what you believe is the purpose of life, the vastness of the universe, working hard is the way to dreams, etc.) –Choose a fresh topic, one that millions won ' t already have written about **AVOID THESE TOPICS: death, divorce, disease, disorders, sports injuries, trips, heartbreak, parents, grandparents

Getting Started Step 2: Brainstorm supporting details, experiences, stories, images –Concrete (sensory details!) –Meaningful –Relevant

Writing the Essay Step 3: Follow the prompt! –If it says “1000 words,” don ' t go over (or significantly under)! –If it says “double-spaced,” double space (and use a normal font)! –Answer the question fully! –This is not a time to take risks or be careless!

Writing the Essay Step 4: Follow good writing rules Have a powerful opening sentence –“ I am a changed person. Three years ago, I realized that people are important. ” –“ Three years ago, my mind was reborn. ” Use concrete examples to support your statements –“ I get up early to help my grandmother. ” –“ When the sun reaches the horizon, I am already carrying my grandmother ‘ s tamales to the neighbors. ”

Writing the Essay Avoid clichés, contractions, “big” words, and flowery diction –Powerful essays are original, formal, and don ' t need a dictionary –Write your own essay, and use your own words

Writing the Essay Avoid unnecessarily long sentences –Write clearly –Have a variety of sentence lengths Have a strong conclusion –Don ' t just repeat your essay –If you used a story or image in the opening part of the essay, mention it in the ending, with a new meaning or twist.

Writing the Essay Choose a verb tense; stick with it Write in the active voice –“ That summer was very educational. ” –“ That summer taught me a valuable lesson. ” Show, don ' t tell –“ My family is very traditional. ” –“ Each March, we place sprigs of rosemary and thyme outside our front door to commemorate the end of winter. ” Write about what you know –Be sincere –Don ' t try to impress the admissions board

Writing the Essay Step 5: Edit –Don ' t be in love with the sound of your own writing –Cut out anything that doesn’t need to be there –If you can say it in 4 paragraphs, get rid of that 5th paragraph –Self-edit and get others to edit your essay

Final Thoughts Essays take time and a lot of work Start early, and abandon an essay if it’s not working for you Use resources and people to help you, but don ’ t use other people ’ s words