How To Finish A College

How To Finish A College How much weight a college puts on that portion of the application may differ. Just how many readers digest your words can vary as well. You will end up sounding like every other applicant. While there is no magic topic that will automatically ensure admission at the college of your dreams, there are experiences everyone has that you can use to find your strongest possible application essays. Some campuses have a pool of reviewers, while others are more specific. For a small college, there is a chance that you essay will only be read by a couple of individuals, but for a larger school it can make its way through several hands before being put down. When preparing your college applications, write a detailed outline or résumé to showcase any extracurricular activities or meaningful involvement you’ve had outside the classroom. A well-written application essay that offers insight into your personality, values, and goals can go a long way in helping you stand out during the admissions process. Colleges like to see angled and proficient students with focused passions, not necessarily well-rounded students who are marginally adept in many different things. In other words, substantive commitment to a few select activities is preferred over widespread participation in several activities that have minor significance. A great college essay combines creativity, excellent writing, and honesty. It’s important that your essay be a solid reflection of you as a person and as a student, and that you follow the guidelines provided in terms of topic and word-count. It is well-written with college bound vocabulary and style, but easy to read and somewhat unassuming. Like great works of fiction, these essays clearly paint a picture in the reader’s mind. The main character is developed with depth and detail. Great essays are memorable because they distinctively portray their subjects without relying on clichés or formulaic topics. They convey on paper a sense of who the writer is as a person. After reading a great essay, I feel as if I have just had an enlivening conversation with the person even though it was entirely on paper. While essays don’t weigh as much as grades or course selection, if you are applying test-optional or to a smaller school, more attention will be given to this section of the application. I cannot make that claim, but I do believe that most of them are read. In smaller to mid size colleges they are certainly read, at least by two readers, and all Honors College essays are read. You can be certain that you did not spend all that time crafting the perfect essay in vain. Still, don’t waste the opportunity to put another dimension on your application file. The role of the essay varies greatly from school to school. A lot of it depends upon the selectivity of the school. It is always worth an applicant’s while to write as strong an essay as possible, but its role in the process is a variable one. A common recurring theme that colleges look for in students is depth, not breadth, of experience. Your college application essay should be both highly personal and thoughtful. Not only should your essay reflect well-constructed writing, but it's your opportunity to tell your unique story. Be creative and present yourself in such a way that embodies the real you. With greater understanding as to what colleges look for in high school students, you can better prioritize your time, effort, and curriculum into the areas that matter most. In turn, you can maximize your potential in getting accepted to your top-choice colleges. We haven’t all pulled babies from burning buildings or sailed around the world in a catamaran. Tell a story from your own life that shows something unique about you. The story that your friends perk up to listen to- that’s the stuff that makes for great app essays. More than anything, officers want to get to know you through your essay. Keep in mind that every college is different and individual admission officers may be influenced by different factors. With that said, the Essay is dying a quick death.