How To Write An Amazing College Essay

How To Write An Amazing College Essay Some may embrace a tradition of creative thinking. In some instances, you can actually see this cultural identity reflected in an essay prompt. The B+ Grades A+ College Application author says, however, that some essays are afforded 20 minutes, and others just a perfunctory glance. Writing the College Essay can be one of the most intimidating aspects of the college application process. Tell a story that makes that trait clear to the reader. Provide evidence by citing specific instances from your life. Perfectionâ€"in college admission and in lifeâ€"is often overvalued. What will distinguish your writing and your application is your unique voice. Be willing to take risks, be vulnerable and share your truth. The readers will appreciate the opportunity to learn more about you, and you will get to know yourself better as well. Especially tormented are the perfectionists, you dutiful students who view the college essay as just one more roadblock to be overcome with sheer will. The goal of your essay is to make an impression on an admissions officer, but you don’t have much time to do it. Look for a strong opening line that really grabs the reader’s attention. School-based counselors have a lot of students to advise and are very busy, so seek guidance early and often. If you’re applying to 10 colleges and wait until two weeks before applications are due, you’re going to have a lot of writing to complete in a very short amount of time. Waiting until the last minute leads to stress and rushed essays that don’t accurately convey your message. Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, revise, and get feedback on your essays. Essay writingis an important part of the college application process. Using the Common Application, you will have to write one major essay, and possibly write a series of smaller essays for each school on their Supplement Forms . To the college essay admissions process I bring skills honed as a television writer, a screenwriter, and a journalist. Boise State University is one of many colleges that don't require an essay for freshman applications. Some colleges, like North Carolina State University, offer students the option to write a personal statement. What questions do you have about writing college admissions essays? Another useful Internet resource is College Board. Here, you can sample actual essay questions from several colleges, as well as get an overview of the type of questions colleges ask prospective students to answer and what they're looking for in your answers. This site offers tips for writing effective essays; advice on creating your essay draft; and two sample essays with imbedded drop-down menu critiques. Don’t bury the lead…College admissions reps read hundreds of college applications each year but they rarely come across an essay that really surprises them. So, to capture your reader’s attention from the opening sentence, start your story in the middle of the action, rather than writing in a linear fashion. Prompt is the leading provider of college essay coaching and feedback. We help thousands of students gain admission to top-50 colleges every year. Your college counselors are there to help, but they can’t if you don’t ask or wait until the last minute to seek guidance and feedback. Make a plan to meet with your college counselor and go over your college list and essays, and ask for feedback on your writing. Your college counselor can provide valuable insight into how to improve your college application essays, so seek feedback on your drafts as soon as possible. Be warned that some college essays demand more creativity than others. Consider the cultural identity of your prospective school as you formulate your topic. If you’re already in college, do you have any advice for current high schoolers? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, or post about it in the College Info Geek Community.