Embedded Files
What Colleges Want to See
Can you write? Colleges look to see if your writing ability meets the academic standards of the college. Are you able to take a thought and develop it into a well-organized and clear essay?
Who are you? The essay is your chance to express yourself and who you are to the admissions officers. They are looking to get a sense of your values, passions and beliefs and want to hear about those through your own voice. Above all, they are trying to learn how you are going to impact their community. Will you make their school a better place by attending?
Selecting a Topic
Some colleges may give you freedom in what you choose to write about while others may provide a specific question or prompt for you to answer. If you are required to address one of the college's assigned questions:
Know there is no single "right" topic.
Do your research—go to the library, use the internet, ask others what they know about the topic.
Organize your thoughts and opinions before you start.
Draft an outline of points you want to cover and list some supporting ideas.
Have an idea of what your conclusion will be.
Be sure you answer the question.
Creating Drafts
Now that you have selected a topic, start writing! The first draft is not meant to be perfect, so just write everything that comes to mind down on the page. It might be helpful to set a timer for twenty minutes and not stop writing until it goes off.
Finished writing? Now don't look at it again until tomorrow.
Next, re-read through your essay. Do you still feel good about the topic? Is the essay about you? Is it truly your voice? The essay should address the "who, what, why and how" of you.
Review your essay. How is the structure? Does the first sentence or paragraph grab the reader?
Get some constructive input from teachers, parents or peers. However, be sure the essay still sounds like you after any revisions.
Essay Writing Tips
View the essay as an opportunity to tell the admissions committee about who you are as a person.
Don't repeat information that you included in previous sections of your application.
Ask yourself: What should the school know about me?
Be yourself. If you are funny, write a funny essay; if you are serious, write a serious essay.
Be original, don't write about what everyone else is writing about.
Grab your reader in the first paragraph.
Use vivid examples, descriptions and quotations; they bring your essay to life.
Don't try to take on too much. Focus on one "most influential person," one event, or one activity. Tackling too much tends to make your essay too watered down or disjointed.
Don't be afraid to reveal yourself in your writing. Colleges want to know who you are and how you think.
If the essay assignment requires, take a stand on an issue; don't waffle.
Write thoughtfully and from your heart. It is clear which students believe in what they are saying versus those who are simply saying what they think a college wants to hear.
Essays should have a thesis that is clear to you and to the reader.
Limit the number of people from whom you request feedback on your essay. Too much input creates an essay that sounds as though it has been written by a committee or results in writing that is absent your own voice.
Ask yourself: Did I answer the question asked of me? Is this essay enjoyable to read? Did I conform to length guidelines?
If the essay requires you to take a stand on an issue, don't waffle. Admissions officers are looking for a thoughtful argument and organization.
Proofread, proofread, proofread. Nothing says "last-minute essay" like an "are" instead of "our" or a "their" instead of "they're."
Helpful Links
Page updated
Report abuse