1. College Admissions Essays It’s All About You By Diana Smithey, Counselor at North Stafford High School Stafford, VA

2. Take the Essay “QUIZ” 1. The essay part of the college application is a(n): a.hurdle b. opportunity c. not necessaryd. optional choice

3. 2. The purpose of the introduction part of the essay is to: a.engage the point and catch the attention of the admission officers b.intended to make a point c.focus on the topic of the essay d.elaborate on your point Take the Essay “QUIZ”

4. 3. The purpose of the conclusion is to: a.make a lasting impression b.end on a positive note c.link to the introduction to establish a sense of the balance d.all of the above

5. Take the Essay “QUIZ” 4. When you write a college essay don’t: a.reveal yourself in your writing b.write in your own ”voice” and style c.end on a positive note d.exaggerate or write to impress

6. Take the Essay “QUIZ” 5. What factors are considered in the college application process? a.strength of courses b.GPA, SAT &/or ACT scores c.extra-curricular activities d.essays e.letters of recommendation f.all of the above

7. “Quiz” continued True or False 1.The more you write the better the admissions officer will get to know you. 2.College essay is similar to a term paper. 3.Be specific. FALSE TRUE

8. “Quiz” continued 4.Once you write the essay and proof read it, mail it right away. 5.The introduction should not be complex or lengthy. 6.Don’t try to tell everything in the essay – one clear and persuasive point is enough. 7.The conclusion is the last chance to persuade or impress admission officers. FALSE TRUE

9. Understanding the Purpose of the College Essay Colleges expect an essay to tell who you are, your values, and your opinions. It is your chance to speak for yourself aside from grades and test scores that are on the application. You are an expert on the college essay topic; YOU! When writing an essay, look inside you, who you are, what you value, what interests you… Choose a personal characteristic that won’t be clear from the rest of your application. Then tie it to an event, an accomplishment, a day, a person, or an activity to show off this quality.

10. Understanding the Purpose of the College Essay (continued) Develop your main idea and support it with vivid and specific details to bring it to life. Make sure that you answer the question within the context of your essay. Remember: The essay is meant to reflect something about you, but it also shows the clarity of your writing.

11. The College Essay 3 C’s The admission committee will review your essay on three levels: your command of the English language; the content of your answer—the logic behind your argument and your ability to say something of substance effectively; and your creativity – make sure your essay is more than just technically correct: express your individuality through an example, a story, or a dialogue.

12. What Colleges Look for Quantitative – Facts & Numbers – Name, address, telephone number… etc. – Number of courses, Honors/AP/DE – GPA – SAT/ACT scores Essays are the highest ranked non-academic feature. It is the one part of the application that you have absolute control over. Qualitative _ Recommendations _ Essays _ Activities and Awards

13. Essay, Personal Statement, or short questions They are all about YOU. It is okay to use “I” in a personal statement. It is a chance to introduce yourself. Short questions give a more specific point to talk about. As you answer the question, reveal the person you are. Be brief, concise, concrete, and direct. Admission officers want to know why should they pick you? Are you a good fit? Will you contribute to their student body? And why “Them”?

14. Tips for Writing the Essay (The Do’s and Don’ts) The essay should prove a single point or message that you want the reader to know about you. Go deep with that point…It is not a listing of character traits, but rather a revelation of your person in a personal experience Do sell yourself – reveal yourself in your writing Do avoid using contractions in a formal essay Do expand upon the broader implications of your discussion in the conclusion section Do consider linking your conclusion to your introduction to establish a sense of balance You may redefine a term used previously in your body paragraphs You may end with a famous quote that is relevant to your argument –only if it comes naturally Do end on a positive note – you may want to restate your goals in terms of how they will be fulfilled at the institution to which you are applying Do think “small” and write about something that you know. Do show rather than tell – by giving examples and illustrating your topic, you help bring it to life Do write in your own “voice” and style Make it interesting that the admissions officer want to read more and know more about you Use the active voice instead of passive it is more direct Be sincere – They want to know you

15. The Do’s and Don’ts (continued) Don’t summarize in the conclusion. Don’t use stock phrases such as in conclusion, in summary, etc. Don’t try to explain the unexplainable in the conclusion. Don’t write what you think others want to read. Don’t exaggerate or write to impress. Don’t use a flowery, inflated, or pretentious style. Don’t neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar, spelling, and sentence structure). Don’t ramble – say what you have to say and conclude. Don’t say too much in the introduction – the introduction should not be complex or lengthy. Don’t start your essay with a summary. Avoid using cliché’s (that may be too generic and predictable). Avoid stereotyping or controversial matters that could be offensive. As a rule of thumb if you think it is, it probably is.

16. SHOW, Don’t Tell A GOOD example: – “When night fell upon the summit, I stared at the slowly appearing stars until they completely filled the night sky. Despite the windy conditions and below freezing temperatures, I could not tear myself away.” This passage shows us how the author feels and thinks, more so than if the author had spelled it out for us.

17. Understand the Essay Prompt and ANSWER the Question Frequently students get so focused on the essay writing and their message that they forget to address what the college is asking. While the essay is your opportunity to tell the college about you, you must still remember to whom are you telling your story. Learn about the college/university: their mission and vision statements. Outline, write, read, re-read, proofread, ask a close person to read…. You don’t want to write in a rush.

18. Remember The essay is about showing the admission officers who you are, NOT what you have done. There are other parts on the application for what you have done and achieved. Utilize your command of the language wisely; no need to be wordy or using big words that may end up a distraction from your message. Use the words that serve you best. Be careful not to send your essay with the wrong college name on it.

19. WHAT’S WRONG? I entered onto the scene of this terrestrial sphere on a vernal evening in 1994. – This is not a vocabulary test. As a high school sophomore, I was our church's representative to the Youth Fellowship. I helped organize youth group events, the largest being "The Bishop's Ball," a state-wide event for 300 young people. I also played high school junior varsity soccer for two years. As a senior I will be playing varsity soccer, but in the off-season. As a junior I coached a girls' soccer team for the town. – Do not write a resume. Do not repeat things that are best reserved for another part of your application. – The writer would have been better off focusing on ONE of these things: for example, one particular moment of one soccer game that she coached. My favorite book is The Great Gatsby by Charles Dickens. – Get your facts straight. (F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote it!)

20. Sample Essays Sample Essays and critique Essay Prompts (use common app)

21. Search Inside You Your Strengths & Values are Right Under Your Nose The essay is a rare opportunity for you to communicate directly to the admission officers that person you are. This is your chance to share your thoughts, insights and opinions; to highlight your accomplishments; and to convey your maturity and outlook on life. The following are points to help you decide what you want to write about Understand Yourself – there is no right or wrong answers, only honest. Identify Your Personal values – such as; service, status, challenge, creativity, people, independence, security, family, comfort, loyalty, motivation (or other things that you may think of). Character Traits and Strengths – such as; leadership, consistency, commitment, perseverance, courage, cooperation, coordination, patience (or other things that you may think of). Identify the people who influenced you the most. Identify important events that had a positive influence on you. Identify the things you enjoy the most.

22. Resources College Board gives great tips about writing a college essay. It also offers critiques of sample essays. – www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/index.html www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/index.html Sometimes, the best tips are given directly from the colleges themselves. For example, check out: – http://www.admissions.umich.edu/essay/tips/ http://www.admissions.umich.edu/essay/tips/ – http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html Connecticut College compiled a number of essays they believe “worked”: – http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/essays.htm http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/essays.htm The University of Chicago is known for its provocative essay questions – take a look, it could get your creative juices flowing: – https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essays/ https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essays/ The College Application Essay by Sarah Myers McGinty CollegeEssays The Career Game – What makes you special Rick Trow Productions, Inc. www.essayedge.com http://www.mefa.org/uploadedFiles/guidanceCounselors/Essay%20Tips.pdf http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/tip-sheet-essay/ http://www.bacallcartoons.com/