| 10 tips to a better college entrance essay... | | | | 3. Have a memorable, focused topic. Instead of an |
| Think about the teachers and administrators, and | | | | essay about your family, football, a trip to France, |
| whoever else colleges must hire, who review the | | | | etc., zero in on something-a single Christmas Eve, a |
| thousands upon thousands of college applications | | | | museum in France you visited, or some other |
| each year. One critical part of the application packet | | | | moment that is representative of you. |
| is the personal statement, or entrance essay. These | | | | 4. Don't tell them what you think they want to hear. |
| poor people probably sit in a big room with a huge | | | | Most admissions officers read plenty of cliche essays |
| stack of them, skimming the pages, just waiting to | | | | about the charms of their university, the evils of |
| come across something exciting. Experience that isn't | | | | terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in |
| cliche. A story that isn't full of sobs. These stories | | | | being a lawyer. Bring something new to the table. |
| might work on shows like American Idol, but | | | | 5. Don't include information found elsewhere in the |
| admissions officers want a genuine account of why | | | | application. Your essay will end up sounding like an |
| you would add diversity to their school. | | | | autobiography or resume. |
| They'll give you some sort of prompt. Either the "tell | | | | 6. Try to highlight any extracurricular activities you've |
| us about yourself" one. The "why us." Or the more | | | | been involved in-volunteering, sports, business |
| open-ended "creative" question, which might be the | | | | organizations, ASB, etc. |
| best bet for some of you. Such as, "Indicate a | | | | 7. Explain a low standardized test score or bad grade |
| person who has had a significant influence on you, | | | | if applicable. Everyone makes mistakes. And not |
| and describe that influence." No matter what it is, the | | | | everyone knows how to ace a timed test. |
| following 10 tips will get you noticed: | | | | 8. Avoid wordiness. |
| 1. Brainstorm! Spend a few weeks thinking about | | | | 9. Make sure it has personality. |
| your topic options. Write down your ideas and do | | | | 10. Proofread! Find grammar help online or in a writing |
| some free writes to get the juices flowin'. | | | | handbook. |
| 2. Follow directions. Is there a word count listed? Are | | | | Keep these 10 tips handy and increase your chances |
| there specific topics to cover? If so, stick to them! | | | | of getting in to the school of your dreams! |