| A brilliant college entrance essay will present a vivid, | | | | better to say that your own teacher was committed |
| personal and compelling view of yourself to the | | | | to teaching you in fun ways, such as hatching your |
| admissions committee. It will round out the rest of | | | | own chicks to learn their life cycle, and you wish to |
| your application and help you stand out from other | | | | give other children a brilliant start to their education |
| applicants. The essay is one of the only parts of your | | | | too. |
| application which lets you have complete control and | | | | Make sure you are telling the truth, and not just |
| so it’s important to take your time to ensure | | | | writing what you think the committee wants to hear. |
| you make a great impression. | | | | Wanting to change the world, discover a cure for |
| Keep your focus personal. Your essay must prove a | | | | HIV or stop terrorism are all very common answers, |
| single point, which shows you are worthy of a place | | | | write something new and your essay will stand out. |
| at your college of choice. The reader must be able to | | | | Make sure you aren’t just rewriting your CV. |
| see what you are arguing for and follow it from the | | | | Include specific information that isn’t explained |
| beginning through to the end. Let a friend or family | | | | well, or even mention new things, such as tennis |
| member read your introduction to see what they | | | | clubs or an avid interest in history. Family holidays can |
| think about the topic which you have written. If they | | | | be mentioned if they were to places of interest, or |
| don’t know, then try rethinking how you’ve | | | | activities such as making props or taking a role in |
| worded your essay. Remember, you are not telling | | | | productions. Anything that shows you are a |
| the committee your life story, you are simply | | | | respected member of the community should also be |
| showing them who you are, and using past | | | | included. |
| experiences and achievements to help them choose | | | | Don’t use more words than you need too. |
| you as a candidate. | | | | Making sentences too long and confusing will make |
| If you struggle to think of what to write, then you | | | | your essay harder to understand. A lot of students |
| should ask friends, family or past employers | | | | make the mistake of trying to elongate sentences to |
| teachers, they will be able to tell you the positive | | | | look better; however, simple sentences are often |
| things about you that you should write about. You | | | | better. If you have to add words to sentences, in |
| should pick the ones that most closely relate to the | | | | order to meet the word count, then you are |
| course you are applying for. | | | | probably missing the point. |
| Use facts. There is a big difference between saying | | | | Make sure that you proofread your essay, as typos |
| you did work experience at a primary school, or | | | | and errors can often be interpreted as carelessness |
| saying that you spent two weeks at a primary | | | | or bad writing. Don’t rely on your word |
| school teaching five year olds maths and English; | | | | processing software’s spell check, as it can miss |
| developed patience and empathy, as well as | | | | simple mistakes, such as accepting fried instead of |
| establishing some leadership skills by planning and | | | | friend. |
| teaching some lessons. Make sure you back up any | | | | Get a friend, teacher or parent to read through your |
| opinions you use with strong facts. | | | | college entrance essay and make sure it makes |
| Avoid clichéd writing by using specific details. Again, | | | | sense and sells you in the best possible way. They |
| saying that you want to be a teacher because you | | | | may also pick up on sentences that don’t make |
| want to help children succeed is okay, but it is much | | | | sense or mistakes that you have missed. |