College Application Essays (HELP) [Archive]

Petrarch's Love

10-15-2007, 11:23 AM

Well, it's been a couple years now since I've thought about college app. essays but I think one thing that might be good to keep in mind is that this is something that's being read by people reading hundreds upon hundreds of essays for hours at a time, so coming up with something eye catching early on (preferably the first sentence) and trying to make the essay in some way entertaining for your reader can help it get noticed at all. Of course you still need to be serious enough that they'll take you seriously, but try not to just open with something like simply stating I am a good student and I work really hard. I've found that a story can often be a successful way to do the whole college app. thing. I would select a story about yourself that speaks to something you're really passionate about, or that describes why you're so keen to study a certain subject, or that really reflects an important part of the way you've experienced life. You can then either use the story throughout to structure your paper, or use it as a lead in to talk about your many interests and accomplishments. Try to think of this as an opportunity to make yourself a real person to the admissions people instead of just another daunting hoop you have to somehow jump through.

Something that may also help is to simply make a list of the reasons you want to go to college and the things you think you'll be offering the school. This may sound really obvious, but making lists like that can sometimes help you think about the type of story you want to tell in your paper.

Most of all I would suggest typing up a version of your essay and seeing if you can get a teacher or someone to read it over for you. Best of luck with the essay. :)

Princess_1986

10-30-2007, 05:39 PM

Mine was a while ago now, but I just wrote honestly. I told them how ambitious I was, that I'd always achieved well and that I'd always tried my best. I also said I was friendly, open-minded, bubbly and fun. I think that being honest is the best policy (unless you happen to be a mass murderer or something - in which case I'd omit that). Being too formal, as Petrarch's Love mentions, will just add to the boredom of the person reading. A bit of energy and vitality will certainly catch their eye. Good luck, tell us how you get on!