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The Importance of the College Essay According to most colleges,
the essay is an important part of the application
process. Colleges are not only looking for
students with good grades and a variety of
activities but also for a student who can clearly
express his thoughts. Therefore, an essay is an
excellent way of selecting students for
admission. These essays may also attempt to have
the student communicate why he or she would 'fit
in' at the college to which they are applying.
The following information has been collected from
a publication produced by the college admission
board of Loyola University of Chicago.
Keep this thought
in mind while writing your essay: "Don't write an
essay that any one of a thousand other seniors
could write, because they probably will." -
William Poirot
What an Admission
Committee Looks For
| 1. |
A well
written essay. Be sure to use
proper grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
Don't try to impress the committee by
using words you're unsure of - it makes
your essay sound stilted and self
conscious. |
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| 2. |
Content.
Your essay should answer the question
truthfully and insightfully - the
question is designed to allow you to show
your ability to think about yourself and
to convey your feelings clearly. |
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| 3. |
Creativity.
Admission committees, remeber, are
reading literally hundreds - maybe
thousands - of essays responding to the
same question. Make yours one that stands
out. |
Topics
| 1. |
Find a
topic which excites you.
Enthusiasm is contagious. If you use a
new angle, it gives the admission
committee a better idea of who you are
and how you think. |
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| 2. |
Bring
your topic to life. Use vivid
examples and sensory details whenever you
can. It will help you come across as
self-assured and accomplished. |
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| 3. |
Explore
different options. If your topic
lends itself to another approach than
striaght prose, don't be afriad to try
it. |
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| 4. |
Don't
use the same essay for all your
applications. Each university is
different; your essays should reflect
those differences. |
Steps to Follow
| 1. |
Read the college
application essay question and set aside
firty-five minutes or so to answer it.
(Hours of agonizing are not apt to get
across the real you.) |
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| 2. |
Write
quickly and freely, including unique
details of your experiences, emotions,
and thoughts. Describe actual scenes and
tell a personal story if you can. |
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| 3. |
Reread
your essay and ask yourself - and perhaps
a trusted friend - if the real you comes
through. Let your essay sit for a day or
so and then go back to finish proofing
it. |
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| 4. |
Now, with
a critical eye, look at the order of your
ideas. Since the college will expect you
to write in a logical way, reorder your
essay, if necessary, to reflect your
ability to do this. |
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| 5. |
Make sure
you used clear paragraph transitions,
active verbs, an attractive introduction,
and a confident conclusion. Avoid
overusing the pronoun "I." |
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| 6. |
Eliminate
anything that doesn't carry weight. Aim
for a single page of clear, light, and
readable prose. |
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| 7. |
Check
mechanics. Check to see that your writing
has rhythm and balance. Be satisfied that
your essay reveals your special way of
looking at the world. |
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| 8. |
Write a
final draft and type it neatly. |
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