| Your college admissions essay can't be great. It has | | | | jargon, or slang. This only makes it harder for you to |
| to be unbelievable. | | | | write your essay and in the end it may not even |
| It can't be mediocre. It has to be out of this world. | | | | make sense to read. |
| It can't be boring. It has to be gripping prose. | | | | 6. Be sure to use your grammar skills. And if you do |
| It can't bore your admissions officer to death. It has | | | | not have good grammar skills, then find someone |
| to win them over. | | | | who does that can edit your essay before you send |
| The number one way to pack a punch in your | | | | it off with your application. |
| admissions essay is the content. Following with a | | | | 7. It doesn't matter how great your essay is if |
| close second is all about how you say it. | | | | nobody can read what it says. Type or neatly write |
| We went straight to the source and asked college | | | | your essay. Neatness does count. |
| admissions officers what 10 things make a strong | | | | 8. Follow the directions. We all learned how to do this |
| college admissions essay. This is their story... | | | | in kindergarten and now it really counts. Make sure |
| 1. Stick to what you know. It is better for you to | | | | that your essay is not over the maximum or under |
| write about what you are familiar with than to just | | | | the minimum amount of words required. Also be very |
| write something because you think that is what an | | | | careful to answer the question that you are being |
| admissions officer wants to read. | | | | asked to write about in your essay. |
| 2. Don't make assumptions. Your writing should be | | | | 9. Your English teachers taught you to write a rough |
| directed toward a wide audience. Don't assume that | | | | draft and then edit and refine your rough drafts into |
| the admissions officer is old and decrepit. Admissions | | | | a final version. The same holds true for college |
| officers vary in age just like any other profession. | | | | admission essays. Do not send in your final version |
| 3. Show your funny side. Even admissions officers | | | | until you have perfected it. |
| have a sense of humor so don't be afraid to show | | | | 10. Have someone else review your essay. Your |
| yours. | | | | friends, family and fellow students may be able to |
| 4. Be honest. You don't need to create or invent | | | | provide you with a fresh perspective or suggest a |
| stories to make your admissions essay unique. | | | | tweak here or there that can make all the difference |
| Honesty is always the best policy, even when writing | | | | in the world. Constructive criticism should always be |
| your admissions essays. Your essay is your chance | | | | welcome in order to learn and grow. |
| to show an admissions officer who you really are, | | | | While following these 10 hot tips does not guarantee |
| not the "you" that you have invented yourself to be. | | | | that your college essay will get you admitted to the |
| 5. Use your own words. Do not try to make your | | | | college of your dreams, it may be just enough to |
| essay elaborate by using a bunch of big words, | | | | make your essay shine and get noticed. |