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Jennifer Aufill Laguna Hills HS Class of 2014

Tips for Crafting a Great College Essay

What Are Admissions Officers Looking For?

That
That

you can write at the college level

you can answer the prompt and clearly respond to the question you are Unique, Diverse, and Distinctive

That

What to Keep in Mind:

DO
Comply with word limitations Be specific and use specific examples (Ex: Community service which organization?) Have a catchy opening and a definitive closing Keep the focus narrow Start early on your essay and give yourself time to edit and rewrite

DO NOT
Under-sell or Over-sell Yourself Use clichs Write a tragedy story Write a rsum (that repeats what you have already stated in your application) Use slang or incorrect grammar

Colleges that Require Essays:

DO require Essay(s)
All Private Schools (ex: Stanford, NYU, Chapman, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins) UC Schools (UCLA, UC Irvine, Berkeley, UC San Diego) Out-Of-State Public Universities (University of Wisconsin, University, University of Iowa)

DO NOT require Essay

California-State Schools (ex: California State University Fullerton, Fresno, Long Beach, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)

+3 Types of
College Applications:
1. 2.

Common Application Schools

Non-Common Application Schools

Public Universities

3.

1. Common Application Schools

Total Colleges accepting Common App: 507 Examples: Amherst, Boston University, Boston College, Brown, CalTech, Chapman, Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Loyola Marymount, NYU, Northwestern, Pomona, Rhode Island School of Design, Soka University, Stanford, Texas Christian University, USC, Vanderbilt

+ 2. Non-Common Application Schools

Certain colleges have their own online applications that are directly linked to that particular colleges website Private schools Fill out personal information and answer all supplement questions (essays) Example: Georgetown

3. Public Universities
Individual Public University Applications: -University of Wisconsin -University of Washington -University of Minnesota

Circuit University Application -The University of California System *1 Application is filled out for ALL UC schools

How to find out if your school is a Common App Member School:

Be sure to check EACH colleges website to make sure of what kind of application they accept!
*Remember: all colleges have different due dates!

General College Application Timeline:

August: Compile a list of Safety, Likely, and Reach schools November 10December 1st: Early Decision application due January 1st-15th: Regular Decision application due

Preparation

Early Decision Application

December 15th: Early Decision status received

Regular Decision Applications

Mid-Late March: Regular Decision status received

September: All schools should have prompts available online

* Early Decision is optional

Your Major and College Essays

College Essays are MUCH easier to write if you know what your major or subject of interest will be:
-The majority of the college writing supplements will ask you about your intended major and why you want to study it

Certain colleges will make you commit to the major you indicate, while others can be more lenient -Do NOT indicate a major you are not interested in
studying

The major or subject of interest you indicate can affect you admission status (The more competitive that major, the lower your chances of being accepted)

1. The Common Application Essays

Most private schools accept the CommonApp Includes 1 General Common App essay and various Specific Writing Supplements for each school

Common Application Personal Essay Prompts: 2014 (650 word limit)

1. 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. 2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

The CommonApp Personal Essay:

Important Aspects of the CommonApp Essay

ALL Colleges you apply to will read this essay, so do not write about any particular college in this section (That is what the writing supplements are for) Tell your personal story, highlight your experiences Do not cover too many topics by making it sound like a drawn-out resume Help the reader get to know you by talking about your interests and accomplishments and how they pertain to your GOALS Include specific details and events Avoid vague filler statements that anyone can put such as: I enjoy surrounding myself with a variety of friends with varying interests and backgrounds

Introduction

Body Paragraphs

Conclusion

The CommonApp Writing Supplements

Almost all CommonApp schools will require a Writing Supplement Can be one large essay or a collection of shorter essays (short answers) The questions typically pertain to the school itself and ask: Why do you want to attend __________? What do you plan on studying at __________? How do your personal opinions coincide with our schools ideology? How To Prepare for the Writing Supplements: RESEARCH the schools you are applying to (What does this school offer that is offered nowhere else?) Research your department of interest and make sure the school has the major or majors you intend on studying You can comment on how you like the size of the school, its location, its student/faculty ratio, its academic rigor

Example: Northwestern
Type: Short, One Response

Prompt:
What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified? (250 words)
What is this question asking? How well do you know the school? (Have you done your research?) Are you familiar with the department you intend on studying? Why do you want to attend this university above all others? (Why are they special?) How will you plan on being successful at our school?

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Prompt:

Example: Johns Hopkins

Type: Long, One Response

Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 on a spirit of exploration and discovery. As a result, students can pursue a multi-dimensional undergraduate experience both in and outside of the classroom. Given the opportunities at Hopkins, please discuss your current interestsacademic or extracurricular pursuits, personal passions, summer experiences, etc.and how you will build upon them here. (300-500 Word limit). What is this question asking? What are your CURRENT academic interests? Mention major of interest and other departments you are interested in What extracurriculars do you intend on taking advantage of and how does it correlate with what you are CURRENTLY doing?

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Prompt:

Example: Cornell
Type: Long, One Response

Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are exciting to you. Why will Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to pursue your interests? (Please limit your response to 650 words.)

What is this question asking? What academic fields are you interested in? Intellectual can also mean curricular clubs or organizations How well do you know the school and the learning environment?

One-Response Essays:
Prompt:

Short Essays: 250 words = 1-2 paragraphs Long Essays: 500+ words Require STRUCTURE

Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 on a spirit of exploration and discovery. As a result, students can pursue a multi-dimensional undergraduate experience both in and outside of the classroom. Given the opportunities at Hopkins, please discuss your current interestsacademic or extracurricular pursuits, personal passions, summer experiences, etc.and how you will build upon them here. (300-500 Word limit).

Essay Organization Suggestion:

Paragraph 1: My Passion Mentioned major of interest WHY I want to pursue this major WHY this major embodies the schools motto Paragraph 2: Other Academic Interests Other academic fields of interest (NOT your intended major) Could be foreign language or art Paragraph 3: Extracurricular Interests How they coincide with your passion What clubs/campus organizations you intend on joining (Do some research) Paragraph 4 1-2 sentence conclusion (Do not be repetitive, just wrap it up nicely)

Example: USC Supplement

Type: Medium, Multiple Responses

In a short paragraph, please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 word limit) Describe your academic interests and how you plan to pursue them at USC. Please feel free to address your firstand second-choice major selections. (250 word limit). Describe Yourself in three words: Favorite Food: Favorite Fictional character: What you like to do for fun: Role model: Favorite Book Best movie of all time: Favorite musical performer/band Dream job:

Example: Stanford Supplement

Type: Long, Multiple Responses Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 word limit.) Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or musical artists. What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit.) How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit.) What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, sporting events, etc.) this past year? (50 word limit.) What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit.) What five words best describe you? Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. (250 word limit.) Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better. (250 word limit.) What matters to you, and why? (250 word limit.)

Example: Amherst College

Type: Short, Single Response Option A: Respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

.. Quote by an Amherst Graduate

Option B: Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay.

The UC System Application

One Application for ALL University of California Schools Check the boxes of which UC schools you want to apply to $70 per school Receive all Decisions/Financial Aid SEPARATELY

**Application Opens October 1st, and can be Submitted November 1-30th

UC Personal Statement = Essays

*The word count for both prompts combined may not exceed 1,000 words 1. Describe the world you come from for example, your family, community or school and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. 2. Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are?

UC Prompt #1

Describe the world you come from for example, your family, community or school and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. STRUCTURE SUGGESTION: Paragraph 1: My World I come from a world that has always instilled the value of careful observation and perseverance. Paragraph 2: My Family Where Im from, my family and I have always lived by the notion that, Whether you think you can, or think you cant, either way youre right. Paragraph 3: My Teachers I believe that the world I come from has shaped me to be a student that wants to learn because it will improve me as a person and bring me closer to my dreams. *REMEMBER: Wrap up each essay with a concluding sentence

UC Prompt #2
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are? STRUCTURE SUGGESTION: Paragraph 1: Introduction Paragraph 2: Curricular Pursuits (MUN, Immersion, etc.) Paragraph 3: Club Pursuits Paragraph 4: Sports Pursuits Paragraph 5: Your PASSION (what you want to study) Conclusion **Caution: If you choose this type of a structure, make sure that it doesnt sound like a drawn-out resume (They have all that info on the application you provided) Show your PASSION and EXCITEMENT

Its not WHAT you do, its WHY you do it

Tie in your curricular and extracurricular pursuits to your passion! ex: Passion for writing? Talk about how being in an environmental activist club will give you the opportunity to spread awareness with your writing Colleges like to see that you are enthusiastic about what you are doing.

Your extracurriculars do not mean anything if you merely list them. Include what you LEARNED

University of California Essay Tips

Tips: (Directly from the UC Website) 1. Start early (That November 30th deadline approaches really fast!) 2. Choose a Topic for both essays: Anticipate questions an admissions evaluator will have after reading your application. The personal statement is your opportunity to answer those questions. 3. Write Persuasively: Present your information and ideas in a focused, deliberate and meaningful manner. Provide specific, concrete examples to support your point. A personal statement that is simply a list of qualities or accomplishments usually is not persuasive.

General Essay Advice

Make sure to answer ALL parts of the prompt Make it personal add as many unique, descriptive details and information about you as possible. Do not assume the reader knows what you are talking about Spell-out ALL Acronyms Briefly explain the purpose of the club or organization in a short sentence

The Hook
Grab the reader immediately Make them want to finish reading Make it interesting, and stand out Do Not use Clichs or overused introductions

The Conclusion
End your essay definitively Do not leave your reader hanging Be sure to have answered any unanswered Qs Make sure you end on a positive note Sound hopeful, passionate, and excited to be applying to college!

Word Count
Less is more for sentence structure in the essay Use clear, concise sentences that tell your story efficiently The word count is NOT a goal. If you can tell your story in less that the word count, do so Rule of thumb 75%-100% of word count is a good range (A 1000 word count essay should be between 750 and 1000)

Varying Sentence Structure

Edit yourself by circling the adjectives, verbs, and beginning of sentences that you find yourself repeating. (Beginning every sentence with I)
Simple: I enjoy volunteering at the Hospital.

Specific: I enjoy volunteering at the Saddleback Memorial Hospital every Tuesday.

Better: For two years, I have enjoyed volunteering at the Saddleback Memorial Hospital because it has taught me the value of dedication to others.

Vary Your Words

Vary your VERBS Try to avoid weak action verbs such as is, was and get and replace them with strong action verbs I got a volunteer position at the animal shelter Last summer, I explored the possibilities of a career in animal health care while volunteering at the local animal shelter Take out all FLUFF words: (very, extremely, something) It was VERY hot = It was sweltering Begin sentences with different intros: I enjoy . When I spent the summer. My position as captain of .

A Lesson on Proofreading:

Proofread that Application, unless you want it to be excepted

After writing a first draft, proofread it yourself and make it the most of what YOU want to say about yourself Have at least one other person read the application to: 1. Check for spelling/grammar/punctuation errors 2. Make sure your essay answers the prompt 3. Overall reaction (Does it correctly represent you?)

In Summary:
Colleges Are Looking For:
That you can write at the college level That you can answer the prompt and clearly respond to the question That you are Unique, Diverse, and Distinctive

3 Types of College Applications: 1. Common Application Schools 2. Non-Common Application Schools 3. Public Universities (UC, Out of State)

Types of Essays:
Short, One Response Long, One Response Multiple Responses