By VW Barber

Imagine five hundred thousand eager college applicants writing five hundred thousand college admission essays. You may wonder how to distinguish yourself from the students with similar grades, comparable test scores, and a familiar list of extracurricular activities. The answer is with a top notch and memorable college admission essay.

The college admission essay is where the admissions committee will spend most of their time when deciding who to admit to their institution. Therefore, your writing must stand out from the pack and create a positive, lasting impression.

What Is The Purpose Of A College Admission Essay?

▪ It paints a compelling, vivid picture of your unique personality and character.

▪ It showcases your writing skills (i.e. grammar).

▪ It conveys your ability to organize thoughts and write in a coherent, structured manner.

What Is The Basic Structure Of A College Admission Essay?

All essays, regardless of the subject matter, the writing style, or proposed length, have three basic components:

1. The Introduction

This may be the most important part of the college admission essay. Why? Because if you don’t immediately hook your reader, there’s a chance that she or he won’t bother to read on.

▪ Begin with an attention grabber - a surprising fact or witty anecdote, a shocking statistic, or even lines of dialogue.

▪ State your thesis. This is the time to indicate what your essay will set out to discuss.

▪ Include a brief sample of the ideas you’ll be expressing to support and develop your thesis.

2. The Body

▪ Three to five paragraphs, one paragraph for each supporting idea.

▪ Start each paragraph with a topic sentence (expressing the focus of the paragraph).

▪ Follow up with sentences that will support your main point.

3. Conclusion

▪ The conclusion wraps up your entire essay by briefly reminding the reader of your thesis statement.

▪ Take the conclusion one step further and offer a brand new perspective or opinion that you’ve reached by the end of the essay.

What Are The Different Types Of College Application Essays?

▪ Specific Admission Essays provide a topic about which to write

▪ General Admission Essays provide the opportunity for you to select what you think is the most valuable information about yourself to share.

Should I Review My Resume?

No, your college admission essay should be entirely new material that does not appear any place else in the application.

Does A College Admission Essay Have To Be True?

Pretty much, yes. Write about first hand experiences. Not only will this be more interesting for the admissions committee, but you’ll have a much easier time writing about something that rings true.

Can A College Admission Essay Be Funny?

Everyone loves to laugh, but keep the humor in check. Remember, you are trying to impress your audience, so keep it tasteful.

Should I Write What I Think The Admissions Committee Wants To Hear?

You should surprise them and bring something new to the table. The admissions committee are reading hundreds of college admission essays. Wouldn’t it be great if yours stood out in the crowd?

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