1. THE COLLEGE ADMISSION ESSSAY
English IV
DAniel

2. Questions you should consider when preparing your essay
What sets my college essay apart from the other submissions?
How can I reveal myself through writing?
What qualities can I convey through my writing that would make me a good or even ideal college candidate?

3. Standard English – mechanics, usage, spelling, etc.
What do you think college admissions officers are looking for when they read student essays?
Standard English – mechanics, usage, spelling, etc.
Achievements – don’t do a laundry/grocery list.
Goals – Looking to the future
Work experience – highlights your strengths or your reason for going to college

4. Sample #1
Judging just from this paragraph, do you think this essay will meet the expectations we just listed?
Does this paragraph grab you?
Are you interested in reading more of this essay?
What do you think this paragraph says about this student?
During the summer before my junior year of high school, I spent a weekend volunteering with the poor in post-Katrina Louisiana and realized that I am privileged. Most of what these people had had been ripped out from under them and life was very different there from my life in suburban Massachusetts. Amazingly, though, these people still seemed happy. I learned from this experience that money isn’t everything.

5. Group Work
You will work with a partner & evaluate some sample college admission essays.
You have now become the “admissions committee”.
Read your assigned essay. On a sticky note write what details are unique about the essay.
Overall, impression (what you liked or didn’t like about the essay).
Would you admit this person?

6. Final Reflection
How were these essays different from the excerpt with which we began?
In what ways were they more effective?
What is cliché?
How did these essays avoid that trap?
Is there a way to move the experience detailed in the opening essay beyond cliché?
After considering these essays, what else should we add to our list about what college admissions officials are looking for in student essays?

7. Video
“Counting Words, Courting College.”

8. Assignment
You will now begin writing your own college essay. Please refer to the handout for guidelines and deadlines. DO YOUR BEST!!!!

9. sOURCES