College Essay Writing a College Essay is a requirement of this class. You may submit a Common App essay OR you may submit an essay written for a specific college OR you may resubmit your autobiography for a grade. Due Friday, 10/30.

Common App Essay Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so. (The application won’t accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

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 failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 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 or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Procedure: step 1 Brainstorm ideas for your essay Use the autobiography and the essay task to begin Ask others what they think about you (strengths/weaknesses, etc.) Write down the ideas on paper in some kind of list or graphic organizer. How might they flow together – form a rough outline. This entire prewriting/brainstorming should take less than 20 minutes – don’t get hung up on any one thing.

Procedure step 2 Write your essay The introductory section should grab (no mechanical grabbers) and give an idea of the essay theme Body – show, don’t tell this idea Conclusion – end on a high note. Don’t summarize your essay or rephrase your introduction. This is the last thing the admissions officer will read – make an impression.

Procedure step 3 Editing STEP AWAY FROM THE ESSAY!!! Let your head have a break before you edit and proofread. Get feedback (ask me or someone you trust). Get rid of unnecessary words. If it can be said in 2 words rather than 10, use 2 words. Proofread again for typos, errors, punctuation (form/from the/teh then/than affect/effect). Proofread one more time to enjoy your piece.

Procedure step 3 Editing STEP AWAY FROM THE ESSAY!!! Let your head have a break before you edit and proofread. Get feedback (ask me or someone you trust). Get rid of unnecessary words. If it can be said in 2 words rather than 10, use 2 words. Proofread again for typos, errors, punctuation (form/from the/teh then/than affect/effect). Proofread one more time to enjoy your piece.

What not to do: Don’t write the essay that anyone could. At the end of your essay, read and ask yourself if anyone could have written it. Do this by: Using voice, the quality of writing that lets your personality enter the piece. Avoid robotic recitations, or forcing lots of words into something that needs only a few. If you write about a common experience, write about it in an uncommon way. AVOID CLICHES!!!

Avoid these 1. I always learn from my mistakes. 2. I know my dreams will come true. 3. I can make a difference. 4. _________ is my passion. 5. I no longer take my loved ones for granted. 6. These lessons are useful both on and off the field (or other sporting arena). 7. I realized the value of hard work and perseverance. 8. _________ was the greatest lesson of all. 9. I know what it is to triumph over adversity. 10. _________ opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Personal, but not too personal Don’t embarrass the reader. You want to get personal, but you don’t want the reader to be shocked or embarrassed by personal things that are best left personal. Don’t let pity be the tone of your essay. If you have had struggles, challenges or hardships that you want to discuss, talk about them in a way that shows your strength and resilience.

Know your audience Write your essay with a specific school in mind. Know the values of the school. Don’t submit a cookie-cutter essay to every school.

Perfection in imperfection Don’t aim for the perfect college essay. They are rare, especially the knock-your- socks-off ones. Instead, give them a slice of yourself – honest, positive, but honest.