The College Essay
The essay you write as part of your application to college will tell the school of your choice who you are and why they should accept you (and maybe give you some scholarship money). A vivid and personal essay will demonstrate your writing ability, your maturity and readiness for college, and your personality and character. Of the hundreds, perhaps even thousands of essays that an admissions officer reads, YOURS should be the one that stands out.
Here is some advice from the College Board:
Choosing a Topic
Three Steps to a Great College Essay
Writing a First Draft
Sample Questions
Dos and Don'ts
Many of you will be applying to college through the Common Application. In 2014-2015, the essay must not exceed 650 words, and must be in response to one of the prompts below:
Steps in the Writing Process:
1. Choose a topic.
2. Brainstorm/pre-write.
3. Write a first draft.
4. Revise (multiple times).
5. Proofread/edit (also multiple times).
6. Send essay to your future alma mater.
And from U.S. News and World Report, here are 10 Tips for Writing the College Application Essay.
The Common App no longer allows the "topic of your choice" option, for better or worse, but if the school of your choice does, here are some more ideas:
Here is some advice from the College Board:
Choosing a Topic
Three Steps to a Great College Essay
Writing a First Draft
Sample Questions
Dos and Don'ts
Many of you will be applying to college through the Common Application. In 2014-2015, the essay must not exceed 650 words, and must be in response to one of the prompts below:
- Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Steps in the Writing Process:
1. Choose a topic.
2. Brainstorm/pre-write.
3. Write a first draft.
4. Revise (multiple times).
5. Proofread/edit (also multiple times).
6. Send essay to your future alma mater.
And from U.S. News and World Report, here are 10 Tips for Writing the College Application Essay.
The Common App no longer allows the "topic of your choice" option, for better or worse, but if the school of your choice does, here are some more ideas:
- a memorable wedding or funeral
- one minute of a football game (or other sporting event)
- your first day at a new school or college
- your first day at a new job
- your last day on a job
- a disastrous date
- a moment of failure or success
- an encounter that changed your life
- an experience that led to renewed faith
- a strange job interview
- an experience that demonstrated how labor-saving devices can be more trouble than they're worth
- an experience that left you disillusioned
- an embarrassing experience
- a frightening experience
- a memorable journey
- an encounter with someone or something you were afraid of
- an occasion when you experienced rejection
- your first visit to the country (or to a large city)
- the breakup of a friendship
- an experience that showed how we should be careful of what we wish for
- a significant misunderstanding
- a dangerous experience
- an experience that showed how appearances can be deceiving
- an account of a difficult decision that you had to make
- an event that marked a turning point in your life
- a historic event
- a memorable encounter with someone in authority
- an act of heroism or cowardice
- an imaginary encounter with a real person
- a rebellious act
- a brush with greatness
- a brush with death
- a time that you took a stand on an important issue
- an experience that altered your view of someone
- a trip that you would like to take
- a vacation trip from your childhood
- an account of a visit to a fictional place
- your first time away from home
- two different versions of the same event
- a traffic accident
- a day when everything went right (or wrong)
- an experience that made you laugh until you cried
- the day you decided to change your life
- the experience of being lost
- an unexpected encounter
- surviving a hurricane or a tornado (or other natural disaster)
- an experience that taught you a lesson
- an experience that taught you a lesson
- an important discovery
- an eyewitness account of an important event
- an experience that helped you grow up