Writing is a key part of the application process. Some institutions will ask you to answer a specific question, while others will let you select your own topic. The UK will want to learn more about your academic pursuits and The Netherlands will want a blend of academic and personal reflections. The purpose of the essay is to add a personal dimension to your application and to demonstrate your writing abilities. The following tips will help you strengthen your essays and connect with your audience.
As the agent, you are the one leading your educational path rather than a bystander in the process.
Example 1
WEAK: My school led a conference on heart dissections.
Why is this a weak sentence? This makes it appear that something is happening to you rather than something you elected to participate in.
STRONG: I attended a conference on heart dissections where I participated in various lectures and small group work resulting in a final presentation.
Example 2
WEAK: My psychology course taught me the importance of understanding patient care.
Why is this a weak sentence? Again, it makes it appear that learning is happening to you rather than something you are engaging in.
STRONG: Through my research, I discovered the importance of patient care in the treatment of a mental illness which made me curious to learn more about the practical role of a psychologist.
Effective transitions highlight the key information from one paragraph to the next and help to create a logic flow between ideas. These transitions do not always have to use transitional words or phrases; however, they can be useful.
For example:
Original
P1: The author’s work includes many examples of symbolism.
P2: In the story, multiple themes are present.
Revision
P1: The author’s work includes many examples of symbolism.
P2: In addition to the symbolism in the text, multiple themes are present.
Rationale: The transition shows how the two paragraphs are related as well as the underlying similarities.
I know this might seem obvious on the surface but finding specific examples to back up your claims in writing can be difficult. You want to share with the reader your why and your how. How did your experience shape your worldview? Try to limit broad experiences such as moving from point a to point b and all you witnessed along the way, cite small, specific examples, and bring the reader into the moment with you so they can understand you and your motivation. Ask yourself: Where am I in this piece of writing?
a. Pace – The reader is knowledgeable, you can jump right into your essay and focus primarily on the story itself more than on setting the tone with an elaborate intro and conclusion. You only have so many words - choose them carefully.
b. Vocabulary - You want to match your vocabulary to who you are. Don’t use thesaurus.com to find words that will make you sound “smart,” more often than not, they don’t fit in with the flow of the piece.
c. Authenticity - Use vocabulary you would typically use so that you will come across as authentic.
d. Keep it conversational like you are speaking to a friend.
e. Avoid surface-level, broad-brush sentences. Specificity makes it memorable, vivid, and detailed. Ex: I am a leader in my school. How could we update it?
To recap - Start fast, sound like yourself, be specific.
We have it on good authority from many university representatives around the globe that starting with a quote is rarely a good idea. You are starting your essay using the words of another person, like we said earlier just jump into it. Now there is a little asterisk because SOMETIMES it can work. Almost anything can work if the topic is well thought out and planned but generally speaking try to avoid the quote start.
What is a sweeping statement or generalization in writing? Ex: It was the worst tragedy of all time. Ex. It was the most important lesson I had ever learned.
A sweeping statement makes a specific point that may or may not be true or even close to accurate, usually made for shock value as an opening statement or the conclusion to some central theme of the essay, it applies a general concept too broadly.
Absolutes include: always, every time, etc. and often times they are not true so please be mindful of how you use these words.
By far the number one bad writing offender is the ‘tell them’ nature we see in the first drafts of essays. It is not enough to recap events without sharing their significance or displaying with examples statements that you are claiming in your essay. For example, it is not enough to say, “I am a leader,” without showing the reader how you are quantifying leadership with examples.
Try this: “As President of the Marine Biology Club, I organized lectures from various professionals including our most attended session on reducing plastic waste in marine life. Additionally, I increased membership numbers by 20% and have a transition plan in place for the club to continue after I graduate.”
This is great because it show’s the reader the way in which you acted as a leader by:
Arranging lectures
Increasing club membership numbers
Are considerate of the longevity and momentum of the club after your departure