1. KNOW AU AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
So What’s Your Story? Preparing a Strong College Essay
Leah Baines Assistant Director of Admissions
OFFICE OF ENROLLMENT
(202)
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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2. Writing the College Essay
Introductions
Getting Started
Start Writing
“Show Don’t Tell”
Revise, Revise, Revise
True/False
Essay Prompts
Examples
Questions
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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3. Let’s Start with Introductions…
Name
Intended major
Favorite ice cream flavor
What you are nervous about when thinking about your college essay?
Start Early  the sooner you start to think about your essay, the more refined and articulate it will be
Brainstorming  types of brainstorming (keep paper and pen with you, sit down with music/photos/friends & family, sit alone
Topic  always you! Think about what makes you “you” and incorporate that with whatever the question is about
Start Writing  write whenever you can and however is best for you, but the sooner, the better
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
KNOW AU

4. Writing the College Application Essay
Start Early
Brainstorm topics: what is interesting to you, what is interesting about you?
The topic will always be you, no matter what the prompt is asking!
Start Writing
Start Early  the sooner you start to think about your essay, the more refined and articulate it will be
Brainstorming  types of brainstorming (keep paper and pen with you, sit down with music/photos/friends & family, sit alone
Topic  always you! Think about what makes you “you” and incorporate that with whatever the question is about
Start Writing  write whenever you can and however is best for you, but the sooner, the better
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
KNOW AU

5. KNOW AU When Writing… AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Content is most important – be specific. Your audience knows absolutely nothing about your topics.
The topic is you!
What is the school looking for in an applicant?
Write first, revise later.
What do you do when you have writer’s block?
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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6. KNOW AU Show Don’t Tell AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Showing: Now you try:
The island of the Bahamas is surrounded by crystal turquoise waters of the warm Pacific Ocean. It is an island caressed by warm breezes that slowly sway the palm trees from side to side to the sounds of tiny waves crashing into the shore. Early in the mornings, you can see schools of dolphins splashing in and out of the cold ocean waters.
Now you try:
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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7. KNOW AU Revise, Revise, Revise AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Make sure you never submit an unedited college essay!
Have someone else read your essay(s).
Utilize your parents, counselors and English teachers as resources.
Make sure you are the ultimate proofreader.
Have you answered the question? Is your voice coming through clearly?
Things to check for:
Contractions (can’t, don’t, won’t, etc.)
Homophones: same pronunciation, different spelling/meaning (there, they’re, their)
Correct references (Don’t say GW is the perfect fit for you if you are applying to AU)
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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8. KNOW AU True or False? AMERICAN UNIVERSITY True True False True False
It is appropriate to discuss something that is personally and sincerely important to you.
The purpose of the essay is to give information about you beyond your GPA, test scores, recommendations, and other resume information.
Wait until the last minute before an application deadline to write your essay. Live life dangerously.
The essay should be neat and grammatically correct.
To give your essay some life and excitement, spice it up with a few curse words.
It is appropriate to include the following in your essays: haha, lol, .
It’s okay not to answer the question being asked in the prompt.
True
True
False
True
False
False
False
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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9. KNOW AU AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Brainstorming Essay Topics
Meaningful Event
Activities, Sports, and Organizations
Travel Experiences
Community Service or Internship Experience
Academic Experiences
Future Plans and Goals
Reasons you are applying to the institution – Why are you a good fit?
Personal Information to help admissions committee review your file
Something unique to you – a quirky trait, ritual, or tradition that sets you apart
Brainstorming Essay Topics
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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10. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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11. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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12. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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13. 2018-2019 Common Application Essay Questions
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 obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 
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, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 
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UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
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14. Good Luck with your Essays! Ways to Stay Connected with us:
Facebook: American University Admissions
Leah Baines
American University
Office of Enrollment
Call: (202)
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
KNOW AU

15. KNOW AU With A Partner… AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, DC
Take a moment and read your partner’s essay!
What is the topic your partner is writing about? Is it about THEM? Does it explain something about their personality, or showcase a moment of growth? If not, take a moment to work out how this could be re-worked to feature the STUDENT as the main topic.
Identify three strengths of your partner’s essay. What have they done well?
Identify three “show don’t tell” sentences. If there are not three, identify three sentences that could be improved by this method.
Are there any grammatical or spelling issues that could be improved? Make suggestions!
Are there any parts of the essay that you think may be considered inappropriate? Remember, this is a formal piece of writing that you are submitting!
Make any final suggestions that you feel may improve your partner’s writing.
Finish up with a compliment. What really impresses you about this writing?
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
KNOW AU