Essays are your way to showcase who you are as a person! Essays show admissions officers and scholarship organizations things that your transcript and resume can't. In your essay, they are looking for academic readiness, engagement, authenticity, and ability to grow. Here are some tips we've learned to write quality essays!
Research where it is you are going and know why.
Have your core components ready, including your personal information, your GPA, ACT/SAT test scores, official transcripts, etc.
Know deadlines and timelines. Are you applying for early admission, early access, regular admissions, or rolling admissions?
Complete your FAFSA! Colleges will send you financial aid offers and packages according to your FAFSA, but they have deadlines. Don't miss out on money for your future.
Your personal statement's purpose is to showcase your voice, values, and personality. Ask yourself "what do I want the admissions officers to know about me that my GPA doesn't show?". If you are unsure of what your personal statement might be, brainstorm defining moments, challenges, and passions that have happened throughout your life. These DO NOT have to be huge moments. In fact, most admissions officers remembered essays that were about small, everyday topics. See this video for more ideas!
Hook:
Capture attention and make your piece worth reading!
Story:
Organize your ideas, make your argument easy to follow, and keep your readers engaged!
Reflection:
Deepen your understanding and connect back to a theory to practice!
Takeaway:
Ensure your message is clear and memorable. Demonstrate understanding past just a summary.
Be specific: Go into detail! This is your way to show who you are! Ask someone who knows you if your paper sounds like you. Make an impression!
Show reflection and change: What did you learn or gain from this experience? Why was it so important you chose to write about it?
Tell YOUR story: People are often scared to go into detail or tell the full story. Don't be. Essays serve as personal interviews, except you have full control! Demonstrate why you deserve to go to that school or earn that scholarship.
Don't try to impress them with vocabulary: The best essays are often simply stated, with everyday topics. Don't get caught up in using advanced language that doesn't actually work. Write a cohesive paper that makes sense!
Don't restate your resume: Colleges and Scholarships Organizations have seen your transcript and resume. They don't need you to restate these documents. This is your chance to showcase who you are outside of your grades and jobs! Don't waste it!
Draft early: Don't wait until the last minute to start your essay! Know your deadlines, brainstorm topics, and get writing. This allows you to create a strong piece that you are proud of without having the anxiety of rushing!
Read out loud for clarity, tone, and flow: It's easy to skip over mistakes when you read in your head. Reading out loud allows you to improve rhythm, catch errors, and better assess your voice. Also consider editing and annotating on a printed paper copy.
Get feedback: Ask a trusted teacher or peer to read your essay and give you feedback. This can highlight blind spots, identify spots for improvement, and clarify your message, which will ultimately lead to a strong piece.
If you know your personal statement and have a solid essay written, don't write multiple essays. Save yourself time and stress by tweaking your core essay to fit different prompts and requirements. This strategy may not be the best for all applications, but it saves you from the anxiety of writing multiple essays. If you choose to do this, keep a copy of the original!
As AmeriCorps Members, we are always here to help! If you want someone to read your essay and give you feedback, or just want help getting started, stop in during our office hours or shoot us an email.