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What should I consider when applying to colleges? Are there tips to writing a good college essay?
#college-selection #college #college-applications
4 answers
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Bronwyn’s Answer
Hi Khristian -
Since I am assuming for most schools an essay will still be necessary as part of the application process, learn to build your brand and story! Draw upon your work, School experiences and volunteer work to show not only what you have done, but what you have learned and gained along the way (clubs, sports, coaching, even helping a younger sibling with homework!). How will you use those experiences and skills to further help your community? How will you use them as a student to make your college community a better place?
You can definitely do some online research or even your school/college counselor can provide some help. There are definitely workshops out there as well. My daughter (now a college junior) and I had a process that she found easier for the essay process... we would sit in a room together, and I would prompt her with questions and just let her talk while I put her responses in bullet points in a document on her laptop. Then she would create her own essay from the talking points. You could do this with a friend if not a parent. She just found it easier to "freestyle" her thoughts that way, and she had forgotten some of the activities that she had participated in over her four years in high school. Don't be afraid to promote yourself.
This is also the time to really get to know your teachers (if you haven't already), as you will need to have a couple of them write letters of recommendation, and it's important that they really know you.
GOOD LUCK!
Since I am assuming for most schools an essay will still be necessary as part of the application process, learn to build your brand and story! Draw upon your work, School experiences and volunteer work to show not only what you have done, but what you have learned and gained along the way (clubs, sports, coaching, even helping a younger sibling with homework!). How will you use those experiences and skills to further help your community? How will you use them as a student to make your college community a better place?
You can definitely do some online research or even your school/college counselor can provide some help. There are definitely workshops out there as well. My daughter (now a college junior) and I had a process that she found easier for the essay process... we would sit in a room together, and I would prompt her with questions and just let her talk while I put her responses in bullet points in a document on her laptop. Then she would create her own essay from the talking points. You could do this with a friend if not a parent. She just found it easier to "freestyle" her thoughts that way, and she had forgotten some of the activities that she had participated in over her four years in high school. Don't be afraid to promote yourself.
This is also the time to really get to know your teachers (if you haven't already), as you will need to have a couple of them write letters of recommendation, and it's important that they really know you.
GOOD LUCK!
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
I think the reason that bright, engaged, promising students end up writing bad essays is because there is a lot of information overwhelming them and a lot of pressure too. Some examples of what can lead to a bad essay are: applying to apply and not having a genuine personal interest in the school you're applying to; getting too caught up in 'what they want to hear from me as an applicant', yes they want to hear certain things but all those things they want to hear from you have to come from a place of authenticity in order to make an impact; applying because of a familial legacy, you need to find a reason for you, individually, to be excited about the institution and why you want to go there.
I think Bronwyn and Vernie's answers are fantastic for how to approach tapping into your authentic self, your dreams, passions, and motivations for making your choices in school/life/beyond. Do some soul searching and try to figure out what matters to you, what makes you excited for the future, what about that college/university is a great match for your dreams and aspirations.
Now, depending on your experience, privilege, socioeconomic status, and myriad other life events, the answers to those questions will be different and that is ok...expected even. Whether you had to hold down a job while finishing school to help support your family, or you grew up in the foster care system and had to discover many lessons for yourself, or you come from a middle class family with many inherited privileges; they want to understand how your background has informed the person you've become and how you'd like to develop further.
It's not easy to engage in this reflection while also dealing with the social pressures to test well, apply to good schools, find the funding, cultivate a sense of your 'best self' on paper highlighting all your accomplishments... but reflecting and bringing your authentic self to the essay/personal statement process is one of the best ways to broadcast to the Admissions teams that this is a unique and authentic individual who has done the work and is worthy of admittance.
I think Bronwyn and Vernie's answers are fantastic for how to approach tapping into your authentic self, your dreams, passions, and motivations for making your choices in school/life/beyond. Do some soul searching and try to figure out what matters to you, what makes you excited for the future, what about that college/university is a great match for your dreams and aspirations.
Now, depending on your experience, privilege, socioeconomic status, and myriad other life events, the answers to those questions will be different and that is ok...expected even. Whether you had to hold down a job while finishing school to help support your family, or you grew up in the foster care system and had to discover many lessons for yourself, or you come from a middle class family with many inherited privileges; they want to understand how your background has informed the person you've become and how you'd like to develop further.
It's not easy to engage in this reflection while also dealing with the social pressures to test well, apply to good schools, find the funding, cultivate a sense of your 'best self' on paper highlighting all your accomplishments... but reflecting and bringing your authentic self to the essay/personal statement process is one of the best ways to broadcast to the Admissions teams that this is a unique and authentic individual who has done the work and is worthy of admittance.
Updated
Priya’s Answer
I believe writing a good essay really has to do with being authentic and true to your story and yourself as a person. Don't try to make things up or be someone else just to "look" better, I'm sure they can see through that. What colleges really care about is why you are interested in attending their school and how your story expresses that or can relate to their values in some way. Mainly, how you as a person would add value to their campus and legacy.
Don't be afraid to reveal sides of yourself you don't like showing - it's important to convey that you aren't a perfect person, but have grown from your personal experiences in some way/shape/form.
Good luck!
Don't be afraid to reveal sides of yourself you don't like showing - it's important to convey that you aren't a perfect person, but have grown from your personal experiences in some way/shape/form.
Good luck!
Updated
Vernie’s Answer
Hello!
I think going to your school counselor could help you strongly when writing an essay. They can help give you more information about what the school is looking for, or even the different requirements that you would need in order to apply.
As for your essay, I would recommend you to just be yourself. Express honesty and emotions on why you want to go to that university - tell them why you chose them out of all the options that you have. Also take the time to tell them expressively about yourself and why you might be a good fit.
I hope this helps. Goodluck!
I think going to your school counselor could help you strongly when writing an essay. They can help give you more information about what the school is looking for, or even the different requirements that you would need in order to apply.
As for your essay, I would recommend you to just be yourself. Express honesty and emotions on why you want to go to that university - tell them why you chose them out of all the options that you have. Also take the time to tell them expressively about yourself and why you might be a good fit.
I hope this helps. Goodluck!
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