College Essays 11 th Grade Postsecondary Visits and Admissions #3

Pre-Test 1.What are three steps to a well-written essay? 2.Name one college essay tip. 3.What is one college essay don’t?

Objectives Understand college essay basics Learn common essay themes Learn college essay tips and don’ts Update Postsecondary Plan

Review Last Lesson Two reasons why a high school student should have a resume – Get a job, Help with college admissions Type of student are colleges looking for – Well-rounded student Modify your resume in the last six months – It is best to modify your resume at least every six months

College Essay Basics 1.Practice writing on common themes 2.Know tips for effective essays 3.Know what to avoid when writing essays 4.3 Steps to a well-written essay – Prewrite, Compose, and Rewrite

Prewrite, Compose, Rewrite 1.Prewrite – Identify your biggest assets, Brainstorm on topics, Create an outline, Connect themes 2.Compose – Introduction, Main Section, Conclusion – One to three stories, Focus on interesting point 3.Rewrite – When fresh in your mind, then in a few days – Get feedback from an adult or good peer writer

College Essay Tips 1.Tell stories – Avoid lists 2.Make it personal, reveal your personality 3.Use humor when appropriate 4.Be compelling and intriguing 5.Proofread often for content and typos 6.Be clear and concise

College Essay Don’ts 1.Write something colleges have already read – Don’t be boring and write a standard paper 2.Repeat something already on your resume 3.Have typos and difficult to follow content 4.Use 35 words when 8 will do – I have been frequently wondering for many months, no years, why there is often a piece of information that seems to be habitually omitted on a regular basis by masses of individuals from all ethnic groups. – Instead I wish people would tell the whole story.

Pair and Share 1.What college essay tips do you find most helpful? 2.What essay “don’ts” do you have to be careful to avoid?

Naviance: Colleges Tab

Colleges I am Thinking About

Update Postsecondary Plan (Interests and Strengths)

Write Personal Essay 1.Pick on of the common essay themes 2.Update “Interests” and “Strengths” section in Postsecondary Plan – Consider including stories that communicate uniqueness words 4.Prewrite, Compose, Rewrite 5.Use college essay tips 6.Remember essay don’ts 7.Find which colleges of interest require an essay

Pair and Share 1.Why do you think your essay will help you be admitted into colleges and get scholarships?

Post-Test 1.What are three steps to a well-written essay? 2.Name one college essay tip. 3.What is one college essay don’t?

Review 1.Three steps to a well-written essay – Prewrite, Compose, Rewrite 2.College essay tips – Tell stories, Make it personal, Use humor – Be compelling, Proofread, Be clear and concise 3.College essay don’ts – Write something old, repeat your resume items – Have typos, write redundantly