The College Essay
PURPOSE:
PURPOSE:
The college essay a place to showcase writing skills, it's one of the only parts of a college application where a student's voice can shine through.
The college essay a place to showcase writing skills, it's one of the only parts of a college application where a student's voice can shine through.
Unlike test scores and transcripts, the college admissions essay offers students a chance to showcase their personality.
Unlike test scores and transcripts, the college admissions essay offers students a chance to showcase their personality.
"The essays are important in part because this is a student's chance to really speak directly to the admissions office," says Adam Sapp, senior associate dean and director of admissions at Pomona in California.
"The essays are important in part because this is a student's chance to really speak directly to the admissions office," says Adam Sapp, senior associate dean and director of admissions at Pomona in California.
Guidelines and Tips:
Guidelines and Tips:
- It is important to be concise, coherent, congenial, honest and accurate.
- Start early! It is recommended that you work on your essay the Summer entering your Senior year of high school.
- Essays should be kept under 650 words.
- Write about a specific experience, hobby or quirk that reveals something personal, like how you think, what you value or what your strengths are. Students can also write about something that illustrates an aspect of their background.
- College essay should be thoughtful and tells a story that offers insight into who a student is as a person.
- The essay should tell college admissions officers something they don't already know. Students should ensure they're writing about something that isn't mentioned elsewhere in their application, perhaps in the activities section, or expand greatly on the topic if it is noted elsewhere.
- Students should make sure their writing is showing, not telling. This means students should show their readers examples that prove they embody certain traits or beliefs, as opposed to just stating that they do.