College Essays/Personal Statements
Essay Due Dates:
250 Word Essay (final draft) due on August 20th (to be presented and discussed in class on August 20-21) ~ 20 points (*essays MUST be presented in class to earn points)
500-750 (650 for the Common App.) Word Essay due September 7th ~ 25 points
750-1000 (650 for the Common App.) Word Essay due September 7th ~ 25 points
The Personal Statement (AKA the College Essay)
250 Word Response
Brief and to the point
Includes a topic sentence, specific example(s), and a conclusion sentence (Kicker)
500-750 Word Response
Brief and to the point
Includes a topic sentence, specific example(s), and a conclusion sentence (Kicker)
Approximately 2-3 paragraphs
750-1000 Word Response
Includes an introduction paragraph (thesis statement addresses prompt), multiple body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph (with a Kicker sentence at the end)
Specific examples and details
Approximately 5 paragraphs
Steps to writing your essay:
1. Choose prompt
2. Outline
3. Rough draft
4. Peer edit/Proof read
5. Revise, revise, revise, and revise some more
6. Final draft
7. Submit
*Remember:
YOU are the focus of these responses
Highlight who you are and what you have accomplished in your life
Be positive
Be appropriate (know your audience)
Be unique – stand out from the crowd
DO NOT procrastinate
Note - regardless of your plans for the future, in this class you are required to complete 3 essays/personal statements that could potentially be used as part of your college application(s).
The Common Application: commonapp.org
2018-2019 Common Application Essay Prompts
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
*The most popular essay prompt of the 2017-2018 application year (through January 5, 2018) is "Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth..." (23.6%), followed by the topic of your choice option (22.5%), and "Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful..." (21.4%).
2017-2018 Common Application Essay Prompts (The word limit on the essay will remain at 650.)
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. [No change]
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? [Revised]
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised]
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change]
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised]
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? [New]
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [New]
The Common App. 2016-2017 Essay Prompts
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Video: Learn How to Write a Great College Application Essay ow.ly/CkAKw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMep4awMYMY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-OLlJUXwKU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AB-5dCFQrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t__jNTOwePU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRC0HZyNCW4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4z99MI-z3o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8YugjPqb88
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgndi44nUCI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NotqNgDLzU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ0Gar0cz-I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJnf7zw_30Q
The Stapler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrq9B85k3ds