1. Outline/Plan your college essay:
I. Paragraph 1 (Introduction) Hook Summary of main points & thesis II. Paragraph 2 (First Supporting Point) Transition sentence Supporting point #1 Evidence or Specific Example III. Paragraph 3 (Second Supporting Point) Transition sentence Supporting point #2 IV. Paragraph 4 (Conclusion) Reiteration of main points Taking it one step further/Conclude essay
Use this as a guide if you need help structuring!
Info. & examples adapted from:

2. Keep in mind the following…
Tell the reader something about yourself even if the prompt just asks about an activity or opinion.
Needs Help: Last summer I taught little kids to swim and helped them succeed.
Good: Teaching little kids to swim last summer, I learned to measure success by how hard I work and not how much I achieve.
Look at your essay – highlight anywhere you are falling into the “needs help” section.

3. Keep in mind the following…
Give specific, detailed explanations and examples.
Needs Help: Without my mother, I would not be who I am today.
Good: If my mother had not forced me to eat all those new foods, I might not be so eager to study in a country where I don’t even speak the language.
Look at your essay – highlight anywhere you are falling into the “needs help” section.

4. Keep in mind the following…
Use details to show – do not just tell.
Needs Help: Because of my programs, students have more input in the school and can make the curriculum relevant to themselves.
Good: Because of the student-faculty forums I suggested, students can now study teenage psychology instead of just memorizing the areas of the brain.
Look at your essay – highlight anywhere you are falling into the “needs help” section.

5. Keep in mind the following…
Use vivid images instead of generalities.
Needs Help: When we finished backpacking, the cabin seemed very comfortable.
Good: After sleeping on the rocky ground for two weeks, our simple cabin seemed like a palace.
Look at your essay – highlight anywhere you are falling into the “needs help” section.

6. Keep in mind the following…
Be concise – a good example does not need to be explained.
Needs Help: As my manager looked at me with a frown on his face, I could see that he was angry. Having the valuable $100 bill in my hand made me look guilty. I knew I had to come up with an explanation that would satisfy him quickly.
Good: As my manager glowered at me, I realized I had only seconds to explain why the $100 bill was in my hand.
Look at your essay – highlight anywhere you are falling into the “needs help” section.

7. Keep in mind the following…
Avoid clichés – they are shortcuts for real thought.
Needs Help: Ellen pulled me out of my shell.
Good: Ellen taught me to build relationships with others based on shared experiences.
Look at your essay – highlight anywhere you are falling into the “needs help” section.

8. Outline/Plan your college essay:
I. Paragraph 1 (Introduction) Hook Summary of main points & thesis II. Paragraph 2 (First Supporting Point) Transition sentence Supporting point #1 Evidence or Specific Example III. Paragraph 3 (Second Supporting Point) Transition sentence Supporting point #2 IV. Paragraph 4 (Conclusion) Reiteration of main points Taking it one step further/Conclude essay
Use this as a guide if you need help structuring!
Info. & examples adapted from: