| No pressure - just remember a bad essay topic can | | | | application needs to stick out of that pile. So be |
| destroy your chances of getting into a selective | | | | yourself. Write from your heart. Write about |
| college, however, a strong essay topic will be in your | | | | something you have passion for because it will come |
| favor for a positive admissions decision. | | | | through on the paper. Let us know who you are |
| You need to look at this as your chance of a lifetime! | | | | through your writing and by all means, don't bore me! |
| It's one of the things in your admissions packet you | | | | Be different: Just don't be too different. I had an art |
| can control. Actually, next to deadlines, it's the only | | | | teacher in 5th grade that would always tell us, "look |
| thing. Improving grades or test scores, could happen, | | | | beyond the obvious". This does not mean write |
| but would probably take too long and time is not on | | | | backward, or in secret code. That will annoy me. |
| your side in the college admissions process. So, let's | | | | What it does me is use a controversial topic. You |
| get at this and figure out what you can do to | | | | won't offend the reader. They may disagree with |
| improve your admissions essay. | | | | you, but if you use the opportunity to develop a |
| Practical Items: no typos, spelling errors, grammar | | | | thesis with topic sentences, arguments and you can |
| errors. I was on a scholarship committee and read | | | | justify your point without spelling errors it will work in |
| several hundred essays, I'm not the best writer in | | | | your advantage. Some of the best essays I read |
| the world so when I found an error I quit reading. | | | | were about topics I disagreed with and you know |
| Seriously, why should I continue to read your essay | | | | what, they presented their arguments and justified |
| application when I have a stack of 40 other | | | | them. Now at the end of the day they were wrong, |
| applications? I shouldn't. You should respect your | | | | because I'm right, but their application was helped by |
| reader and submit an application that is error free. I'm | | | | their passion in their writing. |
| not joking. My co-workers thought I was crazy, but I | | | | Watch what you say: Oh crap, did you read the last |
| quit reading. Done. No more chances for you! | | | | sentence I wrote. I sound snobby. I admit it! But |
| Remember this as you are writing your essay. Have | | | | guess what my tone doesn't matter as much as |
| someone else check it. Word of caution, be careful | | | | yours. I'm trying to learn you something... You must |
| how many suggestions you have on your essay. | | | | express your opinion without offending! Use caution |
| Don't lose your voice! Once you start getting people | | | | to make sure your personality comes though with |
| to change your grammar, you might end up with a | | | | out being condescending, materialistic, snobby, elitist, |
| hodge-podge of writing styles that don't flow. | | | | or simply sounding like a jerk. I'm right about this. |
| Entertain me: Please don't make your essay boring. I | | | | (Again, there I go with the tone) |
| know, you are freaked out that your writing is being | | | | Finally, Stop! Stop already. Don't write too much, if |
| judged. But be yourself. Think about this paper you | | | | you can condense two paragraphs into one, that's |
| are currently reading... do you get a sense of my | | | | the way to write. Respect your reader, they're tired |
| personality? I sure hope so. Although it's not a formal | | | | and probably bored by the 50 applications they just |
| paper, I am communicating with you and you do get | | | | read. Imagine if you had to pay a dollar a letter, you |
| a flavor of my personality. This is important! | | | | would conserve the number of words. And FYI why |
| Remember the stack of essays I read? Your | | | | would anyone use text-speak? Don't. |