1. The College Application Essay!
Warm-up: (1) What is the purpose of an interview when applying for a job?

2. Job Interview?
The primary function of a job interview is to SELL YOURSELF TO AN EMPLOYER!
Think about it this for a second…
When I managed a GameStop, I would get at least 5-30 applications dropped off each WEEK. On average (outside of holidays) we hired 1 person every three months.
So, how did I manage to whittle down a maximum of 60 applications into one job offer?
FIRST – I read the application thoroughly. I would look for things like misspelled words, information on the wrong line, or HOLES.
SECOND – Call in the “top five” based on applications (and resumes if submitted).
THIRD – INTERVIEW!

3. How does this relate to college?
Well, colleges ALSO get A LOT of applications. There are only so many seats, so many dorm rooms, so many professors, etc.
A college application, similarly to a job application (especially those terrible online ones…), doesn’t make you REAL. It’s just a collection of information. You could be a robot.
SO! You get an interview of sorts – THE ESSAY!
This is your chance to tell colleges WHO YOU ARE!
Just like employers, this is how colleges cut down their applicants into a few worthy of attending their hallowed halls.
As an aside, COLLEGE RECOMMENDATION LETTERS ARE ALSO VERY IMPORTANT!
“But Mr. Zebley,” you moan, “I’m not going to college…why do I have to write some stupid essay?”

4. Why…why you ask?! First answer: Because I said so.
Second (and more thorough) answer: Because the ability to sell yourself is important to securing several key things in life – a career, a mate, friends, get yourself out of a speeding ticket, etc.
At least two of those things are super important; you can decide which.
Therefore, it’s important to learn how to properly do this thing (sell yourself (in case you’re lost)).
Lucky for you, I’m a nice guy and I want to help you learn this thing (again, selling yourself (keep up))
Thus…We’re going to spend the next several classes writing the quintessential college essay! (That’s a fancy word, colleges sort of like those.)

5. Ground Rules!
CommonApp requires that the essay be between 250 and 650 words.
Less than 250 indicates that you haven’t given much thought to your response and don’t really care.
More than 650 indicates that you’re being needlessly wordy.
Either way, that’s more than enough space for a well-developed, unique, engaging, and personal response.
Fun Fact: The CommonApp won’t let you input more than 650 words or finish with less than 250!
Colleges don’t give you an A, B, C…etc.
The most important considerations to make when writing are TASK, PURPOSE, and AUDIENCE!

6. Task – Purpose – Audience
Task (What am I writing?) – A COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY
To sum up: this isn’t a text or a letter to a friend. It’s formal.
Purpose (Why am I writing it?) – TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE COLLEGE OF YOUR DREAMS
That tells me, “hey, take this seriously!” Put some real thought into your response. Be authentic!
Audience (Who am I writing it for?) – COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS
Here’s the catch with this one – usually there’s a small team of people who read through all these essays. They may have read a hundred before they get to yours. They may be tired. They may be annoyed. They may be bored. It’s your job to manage your tone (which affects a readers mood), so that they stay engaged. Avoid sounding too casual. Also avoid sounding too smart.

7. The Prompts…
Ok, the CommonApp has FIVE prompts for you to choose from, and we’re going to go through each one! Just follow along. You don’t have to write them down YET.
Before we get started, though, write the following link down:
PROMPT 1: 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.
This is the equivalent of “tell me a little bit about yourself” in a job interview.
The purpose here is to focus on one-two (remember, 650 words…) facets of what makes you, well, YOU. You need to be super specific, detailed, and organized when responding to this one because it’s so broad.

8. The pRompts…
PROMPT 2: 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?
During a job interview you may be asked to describe a weakness you may have. The task is to turn that weakness into a strength. Show how you’ve overcome.
This prompt is the same thing – they really want to see the OUTCOME and your GROWTH from having experienced failure. It’s less important to spend a lot of time (650 words…) on describing the failure itself.
DO NOT WRITE A 650 WORD ESSAY ABOUT HOW YOU FAILED CLASSES AND TESTS BECAUSE YOU DID NOT CARE ABOUT SCHOOL AND NOW YOU’RE REFORMED…
That is legitimately the LAST thing a college wants to read.

9. The prOmpts…
PROMPT 3: Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
This prompt is great. It serves several purposes. First, it checks to see if you’re an independent thinker. Second, it’s determining whether or not you have sound judgment. Finally, it incorporates your ability to reflect and self-evaluate.
When responding to a prompt like this, it’s important to not sound petulant or egotistical.

10. The proMpts…
PROMPT 4: 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.
This is another amazing prompt. This one is all about critical thinking skills (something colleges LOVE).
You’ve got two options. Depending on your goals in life, the second may be the better option. Why? Because you can explain to a college what you hope to get out of being there! Don’t discount the first one, however, because explaining to college how you’ve already solved problems still demonstrates critical thinking!

11. The promPts…
PROMPT 5: Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
This one, much like the one about failure, can be a trap. Clearly, it’s asking you to determine when you became an adult (because they don’t want immature kids in college) and describe the change.
What they DON’T want to read about are things like: graduating, turning 18, getting a job, paying taxes, buying things with your own money, etc.
This one is really about something unique to you and yours – not the entire world – that sparked your move into adulthood.

12. How is this going to work?
The writing process!
Brainstorm (today)
Choose two prompts
Generate a list of ideas for each prompt that are SPECIFIC TO YOU
Generate supporting details for those ideas
Choose the prompt that you can do the best on
Rough Draft (due next class for A and for B)
Peer feedback (done in the next class)
First Draft (due for A and for B)
Instructor feedback (will be returned by & 11.15)
Final Draft (Due by 11:59pm via my or hard copy dropped off in my room)
Graded!

13. And now… Choose your prompts.
I’ve hung them up around the room. I’ve also hung up sample essays below them.
When you’ve chosen two prompts, grab a sheet of white paper from the desk and use the Idea Web organizer to plan.
Your Idea Webs and A ROUGH DRAFT are due NEXT CLASS for peer review and feedback.

14. Idea Web!