How to Write a Personal Essay for Your College Application

We’ve all heard about the dreaded “college essay https://www.criminalelement.com/members/alexvillanueva/profile/,” the bane of every high school senior’s existence. This daunting element of the college application is something that can create angst for even the most accomplished students.

What exactly goes into writing a great college essay, and more importantly, what does it take to write one that stands out from thousands of others, landing itself in the “Accept” vs. “Reject” pile?

Breaking Down the College Essay

Let’s start by breaking it down into manageable parts and examining the required elements.

What’s the point of the college essay?

Almost every standard college application requires first-year applicants to submit a personal essay. If you are one of these applicants, you may be wondering, what’s the point?

With so many colleges deciding to go test-optional, (many do not require standardized tests and instead focus solely on your transcripts, essay, and recommendations), the essay is the one place in your application where you can illuminate your character in words and ideas, rather than in numbers and percentages. It is your chance to show schools who you are, what makes you tick, and why you stand out from the crowd.

Admissions counselors will read your essay and try to determine whether or not they want you at their school. While reading, they will be asking themselves, “What will this person bring to our community? Will they make our school a more valuable place?”

What are the prompts?

There are seven personal essay prompts in the Common Application. You may choose to write about obstacles you’ve encountered, your accomplishments and realizations, moments when you experienced extreme gratitude, or select your own topic.

No one prompt is considered “better” than another, but they can vary slightly from year to year, so be sure to read through all of them for your application cycle. At the end of the day, if there is something you feel really passionate about, you can likely adapt it to fit a prompt.

How long should your essay be?

The essay should be 650 words, which might sound like a lot at first, but you will be surprised by how quickly you reach that limit once you get going. Most of the students I work with end up making cuts to shorten their essays before submitting. The word limit is non-negotiable. You will not be able to submit an essay that’s even one word over the limit.

Writing the College Essay

How can you write an essay that helps advance you in the eyes of the admissions officers and makes a real impression? Here are some tips to get you started.

Start early.

Your parents, teachers, and guidance counselors know what they are talking about when they tell you to get started on the essay during the summer before your senior year. Don’t leave it until the last minute. Once senior year starts, life is a whirlwind. Give yourself time when you don’t have other homework or extracurriculars hanging over your head to work on the essay. Aim to start in July or August before senior year.

Starting can be as easy as creating a document where you generate an ongoing list of potential topics. You will want to draft your essay in a separate document anyway. You can copy and paste it over into the Common Application once you have a final, edited version.

Additionally, starting doesn’t always mean sitting down in front of a computer and typing. Talk about topic ideas out loud with anyone who will listen. Discuss ideas for topics with your family members over dinner or on car rides with friends. Think about ideas when you are out for a run or bike ride. Almost all colleges and universities have samples of “College Essays That Worked” in the admissions section of their websites. Reading through these may inspire you.

Keep the focus narrow.

Do not think too big. Your essay does not have to cover a massive, earth-shattering event. Some people in their teens haven’t experienced a major life event. Some people have. Either way, it’s okay.

That leads to another suggestion: Don’t write about Covid-19. Your essay might touch on something that’s an offshoot of your time spent in quarantine or a loss connected to Covid, but it should not be about the pandemic specifically. There’s no question Covid-19 had, and still has, a major impact on all of us, but that topic has been written about by many students from every angle possible. Colleges want to read something different.

The Common Application has added an optional question that gives all applicants a place to address the impact that Covid has had on them personally and educationally. If you feel you have a story you must tell connected to the pandemic, this is the place to share it.

So, what should you write about?

When brainstorming topics, think about challenges you have faced and how you’ve handled them. You can also ask people who know you best how they would describe you in a few words and why. Their responses can be great jumping off points for writing your essay.

Some students choose to write about seemingly small, ordinary topics that illuminate their character beautifully, and are both poignant and thought-provoking. One student I worked with wrote about growing up hiking with her parents from the time when she was a baby in a backpack carrier, to a grumpy middle schooler, to an appreciative, nature-loving young adult who found outdoor experiences were an essential part of who she was at her core.

Other students choose to describe major life events, or especially challenging experiences that have impacted them deeply. An essay that comes to mind is one written by a student who battled loneliness and isolation due to anxiety and depression, and ultimately found invaluable reprieve in the arts, a passion that they hoped to continue to pursue at the college level.

Whether writing about a painful experience or a more simple experience, be sure the essay rises above a strict recounting of a story. Instead, use the narrative to reveal your true self. It’s okay to be vulnerable and honest; in fact, it’s critical you do so. Admissions counselors will not judge you negatively for depicting moments of weakness or fear, or for having different politics than they might. More likely, they will be impressed by your level of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and introspection.

Be authentic.

Admissions counselors want value-adders. What adds value to a college campus? Students who display energy, resilience, leadership, passion, inclusivity, unique outlooks, and people who can inspire others. Your essay should tell a story that highlights traits like these. No one else has lived your life or experienced what you have in the way that you have; tell your unique story. Use a voice that’s real to you.

This is not the time to experiment with overly formal academic nor romantic, flowery language. Use words you would normally use and show the reader what makes you, you. There is no need to over-inflate things. Trust your voice and the fact that your story is interesting enough in that no one else has lived it.

Be creative.

The college essay is not like a typical English paper. It’s a true blend of the creative and the literary. In creative writing classes you often hear the advice, “Show, don’t tell,” and that applies here — to an extent. The best essays typically do both. You can help your reader see and feel what you are describing by using some figurative language throughout your piece. Describe sights, smells, tastes, tactile sensations, and sounds as you write.

That said, just because you are being creative does not mean your essay should lack structure. This is not the time to experiment with a completely outlandish form. You don’t want to make your readers work to understand what you are trying to say. You want them to be entirely absorbed in the story you are telling. The easiest way to do this is by making your essay easy to read.

Think of the typical five paragraph structure for English papers. Your essay should have an introductory paragraph with a thesis/hook, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties everything together. Your story might lend itself to six or seven paragraphs instead of five, depending on where the natural narrative breaks lie, and that’s fine. Just make sure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Be flawless.

Your essay should not have any spelling, formatting, or grammatical errors. Mistakes do not put your best foot forward to admissions counselors, and they are distracting.

Be sure to read, re-read, and share your submission with others to prevent the possibility of mistakes. Use tools like spell and grammar check, and ask at least two other people to read your essay and offer feedback. You can ask a trusted family member to take a look, or even reach out to a friend with exceptionally good writing skills. We often get so close to our own words that we miss obvious errors. Even the best writers in the world rely on editors to help catch mistakes.

Another option is to ask your English teacher or guidance counselor to review your essay. In some schools, students will work on the college essay in English class during the fall of their senior year. This gives them a chance to receive both teacher and peer feedback, which can be incredibly valuable.

Finally, read your essay aloud before hitting submit. It may feel silly, but you will be amazed at the errors you will catch this way.

Make a point.

By the time you reach your conclusion, be sure your essay makes some sort of point. This is what will separate it from the competition. Ask yourself what you want your reader to walk away thinking and knowing about you, and allude to that in your final sentences. A strong conclusion that helps tie the entire essay together, and also points to the bigger picture, is key.

To achieve this, as you finish your final body paragraphs ask yourself “So what?” This will help you hone in on how to end your essay in a way that elevates it into a story about an insight or discovery you made about yourself, rather than just being about an experience you had. Above all, remember that the conclusion should not be an afterthought, nor should it simply summarize the previous few paragraphs.

In many ways, the conclusion is the most important part of your essay as it’s the last thing people will read. Be sure to give it the time, effort, and energy it deserves. You want your readers to pause and reflect at the end of your essay. You want them to feel something, versus just moving on to the next essay on their list.

Finally, remember….

While some students are able to afford pricey college counselors to help guide them through the application process, at the end of the day, there is no magic formula that someone can pay thousands of dollars for when it comes to writing the college essay. Everyone has a unique story to tell and that is priceless. As long as you give yourself the time to brainstorm, and write and then rewrite, as well as ask for feedback from others along the way, you can end up with a solid final product.

One lesson you will learn at college is that the world is full of a wide array of brilliant, interesting, diverse individuals who all have unique life experiences. You are one of those people. Enjoy the process of telling your story, and then relish the opportunity you will have to create more stories as you move onto the next chapter of your life.

Reasons to Call a Mobile Auto Locksmith Near Me

A mobile locksmith is able to fix your car key in the event that it snaps into the ignition or lock. Locksmiths with mobile automotive locksmith near me capabilities can work on any kind of vehicle and are able to replace or repair locks and car keys fobs.

They are also able to unlock your vehicle when you've lost your keys. They can employ various methods to break into your car, such as using a slim jim or key extraction tool.

Lost Keys

One of the most frequent reasons to call an auto lockout mobile near me is because you've lost keys. They'll be able to replace your car keys quickly and easily and get you back on the road in no time. They'll also assist you in changing or re-keying your locks so that you can keep your home, car and other possessions safe and safe.

If you're in your home, begin by looking around all the places you usually put your keys. You may have accidentally moved them to a different spot when you set them down and it's possible they're underneath something. If that doesn't help, you can become your own Sherlock Holmes by retracing your steps. Make sure you check every pocket on your clothing and empty the bags you are carrying. Take the time to check your purses and bags thoroughly. It's not uncommon to find keys inside them.

If you lose your keys, you should contact the police. This will prevent theft and give you peace of peace of. Then, you can contact a 24 hour mobile auto locksmith auto-cheap automotive locksmith to help you locate the keys or to change the locks in your vehicle and at home.

If you have a key equipped with a transponder chip, you'll need to call an experienced locksmith with these types of vehicles. Most locksmiths have spare keys that have identical chips to the original keys, so they can copy keys without going to the dealer. This will save you a lot of money. It's also recommended to ensure you have an extra car key in case you lose the original one, too.

Locked out

Car locked out is one of the most common reasons to call a mobile auto lockout near me. This can happen to anyone at any moment and it can be a very stressful situation. It is essential to remain calm and find an exit fast if you have a pet or child in the vehicle. Having a reputable locksmith come to help you keep your vehicle safe from unnecessary damage and ensure that your family and pets are safe.

A professional will have the tools needed to open your vehicle without causing any damage. A professional will be able to create a new car key right on the spot. This is extremely helpful if your car keys were lost or stolen. It's a great method to avoid paying for costly repairs in the future because of damaged windows or locks.

If you don't have a mobile auto locksmith on speed dial, the best option is to contact a roadside assistance service like AAA. They are open 24 7 auto locksmith near me/7 and will send a person to help you unlock your car. They have lockout kits designed specifically for this kind of situation. You can often wait in a comfortable or safe area until they arrive.

Another option is to call your 24hr auto locksmith near me (mcmillan-ware.blogbright.net) manufacturer. Most modern vehicles allow users to use an app for smartphones that will unlock and even drive the vehicle for you. Some of these services require a subscription or a cost, but they can be extremely useful in the event of a lockout. Another option is to contact your insurance company, which might offer roadside assistance.

Locked in the Trunk

In a moment of panic, or when distracted, it is easy to forget where your car keys are. If you've locked your keys inside the trunk due to accident, it's best to call a locksmith. These professionals are able to open trunk locks on the spot and offer their services at very reasonable rates. These locksmiths are fully equipped to perform this service and it is among their most requested services. The process of overcoming a trunk lock is very different from gaining entry into the vehicle's cabin because they're a distinct locking system. This method works only when the vehicle is stopped. It is impossible to escape a moving car after it has been opened.

Being trapped in the trunk of a car can be an extremely risky situation. It can be a nightmare situation for adults and children depending on the circumstances. Criminals will sometimes force someone into the trunk of a vehicle to torture them or steal valuable items. However, the majority of time it happens by accident, and it's one of the most terrifying experiences a person can go through.

Mobile locksmiths can repair and replace the cylinders for locks on any automobile at a very reasonable cost. They can even replace the lock cylinder on vehicles that utilize push levers for their trunks, as well as any other locks on your vehicle including the glove box. This is an extremely useful service that these experts provide and is something that most people don't know about.

Frozen Locks

Winter can be a very difficult time for your car, with cold temperatures as well as snow and ice. If you do not have a garage or carport to park in, your vehicle is exposed to the elements. This can cause problems such as frozen locks. If your lock freezes, you are unable to unlock the door, leaving you stranded in the cold. There are several methods to defrost your vehicle's door lock.

First, look through all doors to determine if any is more affected than others. If you find auto locksmith near me that only one side's lock is frozen try to gain access through a different door or hatchback. This will warm the lock, making it easier to break through the ice.

If you're not successful try using a lighter or matches to heat the key. Be careful - direct heat could cause damage to the key and create more problems later on. You can also warm the lock by placing the boiling water in a pot over the locked area.

Then, spray de-icer on the lock to melt the frozen ice. Be careful not to get the de-icer onto your paintwork, as this could damage it. You can also apply a commercial lubricant like one made with Teflon which can aid in melting the ice quicker.

If none of these methods work, it may be time to call a professional. A mobile auto locksmith will visit your home and replace the damaged lock with a new one. In the majority of cases, this is a much cheaper option than fixing or replacing the entire door panel. Before they begin any work, they'll provide you a free estimate.

Motorcycles

If you're riding a bike and you're not always equipped with an option to transfer it to a mechanic if something happens. For instance, you might find that your keys aren't turning the lock or ignition. In this case you can call a mobile locksmith to help you out. Motorcycles are best left to professionals. They can handle everything from rekeying locks to changing the cylinder.

Motorcycles are made of more malleable steel, which could be distorted or warped in a way that makes it difficult for the key to fit into the lock cylinder. It could also cause damage to the lock's key. This requires the assistance of a professional. A licensed locksmith can cut a new key for you, and they have access to more blanks than the manufacturer of the lock.

A lot of auto locksmiths have experience with a variety of vehicles, which means they'll be able to handle any scenario. They can replace keys, rekey locks and even repair them if they're damaged or stuck in the ignition. They can work on any kind of vehicle, including cars, trucks motorcycles, and even cars.

Choose a locksmith that has worked with a variety of car models and makes. Professionals are able to create new keys on site, meaning you don't have to worry about your car being taken away. Some auto locksmiths charge extra for this service, however, you can save money by looking for one who will give you a no-cost estimate and reasonable costs.

What Should You Avoid in Your Personal Essay for College?

Although a personal essay for college https://www.strata.com/forums/users/ericksilva/ can demonstrate excellent writing and topic choice, it can still leave an unfavorable impression if it contains inappropriate or repetitive information. Here are some examples of topics to leave out of your statement.

Your Grades, Test Scores, and Academic Achievements

Successful college essays typically include information that does not appear anywhere else in the application. When reviewing other submission documents, admissions officers can learn about students' grades, previous courses, and scholarly achievements. As such, the essay should not focus on these kinds of details.

Your Life of Privilege

Steer clear of topics that highlight a privileged lifestyle. For example, framing a relatively common athletic injury as the hardest challenge you've faced may not demonstrate resilience as effectively as you'd like it to. It also suggests a lack of awareness of more serious obstacles others your age have faced.

Your Pet

In your eyes, Fido and Fluffy may be the most amazing creatures on the planet. But we all love our pets. You want your college essay to stand out by focusing on a topic or experience that's unique to you rather than something universal.

Cliches and Trite Quotations

A college admissions essay presents an opportunity for students to express their creativity and originality of thought. Using cliches and trite expressions makes writers appear lazy or unimaginative. Also, some sayings may be relevant to specific cultures, alienating or confusing some readers.

Your Criminal Record

Everybody admires an underdog who overcomes adversity, but illuminating past missteps with the law isn't exactly the best way to make a good first impression on college admissions officers. While you shouldn't sanitize reality for the benefit of your readers, choose a college essay topic that at the very least presents you in a positive light.

Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

Knowing how to write a college application essay includes detecting spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. Error-free personal statements go far to illustrate applicants' excellent writing skills. Students might ask teachers, mentors, or others they trust to read their essays to catch any mistakes before submitting them.

College Application Essay Example

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

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I planned my high school career carefully: marching band, honors courses, and three dual-credit college classes. My senior year should have been a smooth glide to graduation, with multiple electives to fill out the seven-hour day.

As a member of the Class of 2011, however, I became part of the first group of students to fall under the Texas Education Agency's new "4x4 plan." High school graduation requirements for Texas students expanded to include four years of four core subjects: mathematics, social studies, English, and science.

Under the new plan, despite careful planning, I was one year short on science. Due to the limited curriculum options of my small school, the only course on my prescribed registration list was Biology II. Enrolling in Biology II meant participating in the final project: dissecting cats.

I had avoided the course in the past for this exact reason. Being a longtime animal lover and advocate, there was simply no way I would — or could — take a scalpel to the body of a nameless shelter cat — killed in a gas chamber, its limbs stiff, fur matted with embalming fluid.

If all else failed, I was ready to sacrifice my 4.0 GPA. I was prepared to sit out for the project and take a dozen failing grades.

But first, I decided to put up a fight.

I drafted a formal letter to the principal and the biology teacher, discussing my reservations. I sent a second letter to the school's anatomy teacher. Her courses were over capacity, strictly limited to students interested in pursuing a health major in college, and the only other science option available at my grade level.

I let them know how the sudden introduction of the 4x4 plan felt like a punishment to students like me who had painstakingly planned their high school years from the start. I told them of my compassion for all living creatures, my concern with the use of cruel carbon monoxide euthanasia in Texas shelters, and the availability of modern computer programs that required no desecration of beloved companion animals.

When my senior year arrived, I had a seat in the crowded anatomy classroom — a future music major, alongside two dozen students with their eyes set on nursing, physical therapy, and medical school.

Presenting my views in a clear, respectful way prompted three adults in authority to make a positive change on my behalf. I was further informed that, in the years to follow, shelter cats would be phased out of Biology II and replaced with virtual dissection labs.

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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why some people struggle to stay organized and following directions, or staying focused.

Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Also, contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.

Diagnosis Process

For adults, a valid diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine the presence of ADHD among adults.

Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional might be able to inquire about the length of time you've been suffering from symptoms and how do you get diagnosed with adhd they affect your life. They might ask you to speak to a close family member or friend about your symptoms.

The evaluation process will also involve questions about your childhood. Because current guidelines do not allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional might want to review your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who knew you as a kid. They'll also ask if you have had any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.

In some cases the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms.

If the healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD They will suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and even psychological or educational testing.

The tests are designed to measure the levels of certain chemicals within your body that could be related to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of the brain to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are many ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool prior to you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can provide you with the information that you may have ADHD however a doctor's clinical interview is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.

The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. The doctor may also inquire about any history of depression or substance abuse as these conditions can co-occur with ADHD.

A good diagnostic interview will involve a discussion of the patient's symptoms and their impact, and the psychologist or psychiatrist will use a checklist designed to evaluate hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattentiveness. The doctor will also want to examine the patient's school records as well as speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family members could also be questioned. Personal experience can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.

Some doctors are in a rush and skip this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just once, rather than conducting an extensive examination. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.

The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how to get diagnosed with adult add these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator compares the ratings to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.

For some adults, it can be a great relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for not living up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not discovered until later in life -it can be a challenge. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have severe implications throughout an individual's life, such as relationships, work and health.

The Tests

Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and complicated process. It involves many forms, interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to seek recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. You must also research the doctor and their credentials to ensure they're a good match to your requirements. It is essential to find a professional who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

An interview with an evaluator is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how do you get an adhd diagnosis symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your schoolwork, work or social relationships. The evaluator can also use ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. For example, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or you might be asked how to get diagnosed add often you interrupt others.

Many evaluators will also ask people who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers, nannies or daycare workers. Personal experience can provide information that isn't feasible to collect through a questionnaire.

The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They might also test for underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.

Some evaluators will provide you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates the way you react to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and remember a number of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at the frequency at which you respond to non-targeted stimuli, and how long it takes you to react to the stimulus you want to respond. This will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you have whether you are impulsive or inattentive.

The Follow-Up

Many kinds of mental health professionals are able to provide adhd diagnosis wales adults assessments and provide a diagnosis. This could be psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The doctor will want to be aware of your concerns and how long they have been recurring for. The doctor will also inquire whether there is a family history of adhd uk diagnosis. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80% heritable. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you be affected.

The expert will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your life, including home, work and school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various settings since ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must display six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. These could include other psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns as well as any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain.

He will also take into consideration whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health condition or medications you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and certain sleep medications are also prone to these side effects.

The expert will also need to determine if there's a comorbidity, which means you or your child might have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine all of the information and determine a diagnosis.

How to Structure a College Admissions Essay

A college admissions essay https://cdn.muvizu.com/Profile/ErrolLawson/Latest/ does not necessarily have to follow the standard English essay format: five paragraphs, including an introduction and conclusion. However, specific requirements differ between each college. Below we’ll outline how a college admissions essay should typically be structured.

Titles

College admissions essays usually do not require a title. Some students, however, choose to include a title because it’s the first thing the admissions committee will read, and it’s another chance to capture interest, demonstrate personality, and reframe their essay as a whole. 

A title is purely optional. If you choose to incorporate a title, here are some tips:

Make sure your title is evocative, something that could be humorous, a play on words, or retell a moment of your life. Ensuring your title is interesting can be an effective way to draw in your reader and make them excited to read your essay. 

Avoid using vague language in your title to keep the reader engaged. If you can’t think of a gripping title, consider submitting your essay without one.

Number of Paragraphs

Unless otherwise noted from the college application requirements, the number of paragraphs is up to you. 

Some essays can be four paragraphs, while others use eight. 

However, your essay, like every other one you have written (and will write in college), will require an introduction and a conclusion. It must adhere to the word limit, which will be discussed below.

Essay Templates

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all template that you can follow when writing your college admission essay. You are allowed, however, to use basic structures when writing your essay that can work for any prompt. 

You should also pay attention to any college application essay formatting guidelines your school provides.

International Harvester launched its Scout line of fashionable four-wheel-drive vehicles. Introduced in November 1962, Willys known as it the Jeep Wagoneer. Willys management sprang into action. Willys now not owned the four-wheel-drive market because it had a decade earlier than. Although the four-wheel-drive market wasn't giant within the speedy submit-World War II years, Willys dominated it. Front-end styling was especially distinctive: a keystone grille flanked by giant round vents almost as massive because the headlamps. Chief engineer A.C. Sampietro would handle the nuts and أسعار الذهب اليوم bolts, while the styling job was assigned to Brooks Stevens, the proficient unbiased designer Willys had on retainer, and the tiny in-house Jeep styling employees underneath Jim Angers. While Willys Motors dominated the marketplace for four-wheel-drive vehicles, there was little need to replace its 1940s-vintage Jeep Station Wagon. An identical request through the mid-1940s was how Stevens began his affiliation with Willys. Th­e first Emmys have been given out in 1949. The unique title for the award was the Immy, a nickname for the image orthicon tube, a part of an early kind of digicam; but the academy began referring to it as the Emmy as a result of that more feminine title suited the statuette. What is the name of this winner?

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This stems from the days when Canada was a part of the British Empire, and the crown of England did rule over Canada. Indeed, the development of the Wagoneer was a vital, defining occasion for a whole class of automobiles that may spring up over the next 40 years, bringing collectively 4-wheel drive, ample passenger and cargo room, and ever-better levels of luxurious. The arrival of the Jeep Wagoneer in the fall of 1962 was tremendously important for Jeep. In early 1961, funding was approved for a new-product program that would include a wholly new range of Jeep autos and a new engine. But for 1961, there appeared a brand new contender. A ceremony was held to open Musée de l'Orangerie on May 17, 1927. The work housed there bore the legacy of Monet's lifelong pursuit to precise his feeling before nature. The merchandise that bore Elvis' likeness within the late 1950s ranged from lipstick and jewelry to clothing, shoes, even perfume. Plautz, Jason. "Steve Blass' Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Disease." Mental Floss. One bad throw or missed catch could actually lose a recreation. Employees will work one or two weeks on the oil rig, then spend one or two weeks at dwelling.

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12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

Instead, many (including Harvard through 2026) are opting for “test-blind” admission policies that give more weight to other elements in a college application. This policy change is seen as fairer to students who don’t have the means or access to testing, or who suffer from test anxiety.

So, what does this mean for you?

Simply that your college essay https://telegra.ph/Como-Escolher-um-Tema-para-Pesquisa-Acad%C3%AAmica-Dicas-Pr%C3%A1ticas-para-Estudantes-12-09, traditionally a requirement of any college application, is more important than ever.

A college essay is your unique opportunity to introduce yourself to admissions committees who must comb through thousands of applications each year. It is your chance to stand out as someone worthy of a seat in that classroom.

A well-written and thoughtful essay—reflecting who you are and what you believe—can go a long way to separating your application from the slew of forgettable ones that admissions officers read. Indeed, officers may rely on them even more now that many colleges are not considering test scores.

Below we’ll discuss a few strategies you can use to help your essay stand out from the pack. We’ll touch on how to start your essay, what you should write for your college essay, and elements that make for a great college essay.

Be Authentic

More than any other consideration, you should choose a topic or point of view that is consistent with who you truly are.

Readers can sense when writers are inauthentic.

Inauthenticity could mean the use of overly flowery language that no one would ever use in conversation, or it could mean choosing an inconsequential topic that reveals very little about who you are.

Use your own voice, sense of humor, and a natural way of speaking.

Whatever subject you choose, make sure it’s something that’s genuinely important to you and not a subject you’ve chosen just to impress. You can write about a specific experience, hobby, or personality quirk that illustrates your strengths, but also feel free to write about your weaknesses.

Honesty about traits, situations, or a childhood background that you are working to improve may resonate with the reader more strongly than a glib victory speech.

Grab the Reader From the Start

You’ll be competing with so many other applicants for an admission officer’s attention.

Therefore, start your essay with an opening sentence or paragraph that immediately seizes the imagination. This might be a bold statement, a thoughtful quote, a question you pose, or a descriptive scene.

Starting your essay in a powerful way with a clear thesis statement can often help you along in the writing process. If your task is to tell a good story, a bold beginning can be a natural prelude to getting there, serving as a roadmap, engaging the reader from the start, and presenting the purpose of your writing.

Focus on Deeper Themes

Some essay writers think they will impress committees by loading an essay with facts, figures, and descriptions of activities, like wins in sports or descriptions of volunteer work. But that’s not the point.

College admissions officers are interested in learning more about who you are as a person and what makes you tick.

They want to know what has brought you to this stage in life. They want to read about realizations you may have come to through adversity as well as your successes, not just about how many games you won while on the soccer team or how many people you served at a soup kitchen.

Let the reader know how winning the soccer game helped you develop as a person, friend, family member, or leader. Make a connection with your soup kitchen volunteerism and how it may have inspired your educational journey and future aspirations. What did you discover about yourself?

Show Don’t Tell

As you expand on whatever theme you’ve decided to explore in your essay, remember to show, don’t tell.

The most engaging writing “shows” by setting scenes and providing anecdotes, rather than just providing a list of accomplishments and activities.

Reciting a list of activities is also boring. An admissions officer will want to know about the arc of your emotional journey too.

Try Doing Something Different

If you want your essay to stand out, think about approaching your subject from an entirely new perspective. While many students might choose to write about their wins, for instance, what if you wrote an essay about what you learned from all your losses?

If you are an especially talented writer, you might play with the element of surprise by crafting an essay that leaves the response to a question to the very last sentence.

You may want to stay away from well-worn themes entirely, like a sports-related obstacle or success, volunteer stories, immigration stories, moving, a summary of personal achievements or overcoming obstacles.

However, such themes are popular for a reason. They represent the totality of most people’s lives coming out of high school. Therefore, it may be less important to stay away from these topics than to take a fresh approach.

Write With the Reader in Mind

Writing for the reader means building a clear and logical argument in which one thought flows naturally from another.

Use transitions between paragraphs.

Think about any information you may have left out that the reader may need to know. Are there ideas you have included that do not help illustrate your theme?

Be sure you can answer questions such as: Does what you have written make sense? Is the essay organized? Does the opening grab the reader? Is there a strong ending? Have you given enough background information? Is it wordy?

Write Several Drafts

Set your essay aside for a few days and come back to it after you’ve had some time to forget what you’ve written. Often, you’ll discover you have a whole new perspective that enhances your ability to make revisions.

Start writing months before your essay is due to give yourself enough time to write multiple drafts. A good time to start could be as early as the summer before your senior year when homework and extracurricular activities take up less time.

Read It Aloud

Writer’s tip: Reading your essay aloud can instantly uncover passages that sound clumsy, long-winded, or false.

Don’t Repeat

If you’ve mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don’t repeat it again in your essay.

Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.

Also, be sure you’ve answered whatever question or prompt may have been posed to you at the outset.

Ask Others to Read Your Essay

Be sure the people you ask to read your essay represent different demographic groups—a teacher, a parent, even a younger sister or brother.

Ask each reader what they took from the essay and listen closely to what they have to say. If anyone expresses confusion, revise until the confusion is cleared up.

Pay Attention to Form

Although there are often no strict word limits for college essays, most essays are shorter rather than longer. Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words.

“While we won’t as a rule stop reading after 650 words, we cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention for as long as you’d hoped it would,” the Common App website states.

In reviewing other technical aspects of your essay, be sure that the font is readable, that the margins are properly spaced, that any dialogue is set off properly, and that there is enough spacing at the top. Your essay should look clean and inviting to readers.

End Your Essay With a “Kicker”

In journalism, a kicker is the last punchy line, paragraph, or section that brings everything together.

It provides a lasting impression that leaves the reader satisfied and impressed by the points you have artfully woven throughout your piece.

So, here’s our kicker: Be concise and coherent, engage in honest self-reflection, and include vivid details and anecdotes that deftly illustrate your point.

While writing a fantastic essay may not guarantee you get selected, it can tip the balance in your favor if admissions officers are considering a candidate with a similar GPA and background.

Write, revise, revise again, and good luck!

How to Write a Personal Essay for Your College Application

We’ve all heard about the dreaded “college essay https://postgresconf.org/users/camila-barbosa,” the bane of every high school senior’s existence. This daunting element of the college application is something that can create angst for even the most accomplished students.

What exactly goes into writing a great college essay, and more importantly, what does it take to write one that stands out from thousands of others, landing itself in the “Accept” vs. “Reject” pile?

Breaking Down the College Essay

Let’s start by breaking it down into manageable parts and examining the required elements.

What’s the point of the college essay?

Almost every standard college application requires first-year applicants to submit a personal essay. If you are one of these applicants, you may be wondering, what’s the point?

With so many colleges deciding to go test-optional, (many do not require standardized tests and instead focus solely on your transcripts, essay, and recommendations), the essay is the one place in your application where you can illuminate your character in words and ideas, rather than in numbers and percentages. It is your chance to show schools who you are, what makes you tick, and why you stand out from the crowd.

Admissions counselors will read your essay and try to determine whether or not they want you at their school. While reading, they will be asking themselves, “What will this person bring to our community? Will they make our school a more valuable place?”

What are the prompts?

There are seven personal essay prompts in the Common Application. You may choose to write about obstacles you’ve encountered, your accomplishments and realizations, moments when you experienced extreme gratitude, or select your own topic.

No one prompt is considered “better” than another, but they can vary slightly from year to year, so be sure to read through all of them for your application cycle. At the end of the day, if there is something you feel really passionate about, you can likely adapt it to fit a prompt.

How long should your essay be?

The essay should be 650 words, which might sound like a lot at first, but you will be surprised by how quickly you reach that limit once you get going. Most of the students I work with end up making cuts to shorten their essays before submitting. The word limit is non-negotiable. You will not be able to submit an essay that’s even one word over the limit.

Writing the College Essay

How can you write an essay that helps advance you in the eyes of the admissions officers and makes a real impression? Here are some tips to get you started.

Start early.

Your parents, teachers, and guidance counselors know what they are talking about when they tell you to get started on the essay during the summer before your senior year. Don’t leave it until the last minute. Once senior year starts, life is a whirlwind. Give yourself time when you don’t have other homework or extracurriculars hanging over your head to work on the essay. Aim to start in July or August before senior year.

Starting can be as easy as creating a document where you generate an ongoing list of potential topics. You will want to draft your essay in a separate document anyway. You can copy and paste it over into the Common Application once you have a final, edited version.

Additionally, starting doesn’t always mean sitting down in front of a computer and typing. Talk about topic ideas out loud with anyone who will listen. Discuss ideas for topics with your family members over dinner or on car rides with friends. Think about ideas when you are out for a run or bike ride. Almost all colleges and universities have samples of “College Essays That Worked” in the admissions section of their websites. Reading through these may inspire you.

Keep the focus narrow.

Do not think too big. Your essay does not have to cover a massive, earth-shattering event. Some people in their teens haven’t experienced a major life event. Some people have. Either way, it’s okay.

That leads to another suggestion: Don’t write about Covid-19. Your essay might touch on something that’s an offshoot of your time spent in quarantine or a loss connected to Covid, but it should not be about the pandemic specifically. There’s no question Covid-19 had, and still has, a major impact on all of us, but that topic has been written about by many students from every angle possible. Colleges want to read something different.

The Common Application has added an optional question that gives all applicants a place to address the impact that Covid has had on them personally and educationally. If you feel you have a story you must tell connected to the pandemic, this is the place to share it.

So, what should you write about?

When brainstorming topics, think about challenges you have faced and how you’ve handled them. You can also ask people who know you best how they would describe you in a few words and why. Their responses can be great jumping off points for writing your essay.

Some students choose to write about seemingly small, ordinary topics that illuminate their character beautifully, and are both poignant and thought-provoking. One student I worked with wrote about growing up hiking with her parents from the time when she was a baby in a backpack carrier, to a grumpy middle schooler, to an appreciative, nature-loving young adult who found outdoor experiences were an essential part of who she was at her core.

Other students choose to describe major life events, or especially challenging experiences that have impacted them deeply. An essay that comes to mind is one written by a student who battled loneliness and isolation due to anxiety and depression, and ultimately found invaluable reprieve in the arts, a passion that they hoped to continue to pursue at the college level.

Whether writing about a painful experience or a more simple experience, be sure the essay rises above a strict recounting of a story. Instead, use the narrative to reveal your true self. It’s okay to be vulnerable and honest; in fact, it’s critical you do so. Admissions counselors will not judge you negatively for depicting moments of weakness or fear, or for having different politics than they might. More likely, they will be impressed by your level of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and introspection.

Be authentic.

Admissions counselors want value-adders. What adds value to a college campus? Students who display energy, resilience, leadership, passion, inclusivity, unique outlooks, and people who can inspire others. Your essay should tell a story that highlights traits like these. No one else has lived your life or experienced what you have in the way that you have; tell your unique story. Use a voice that’s real to you.

This is not the time to experiment with overly formal academic nor romantic, flowery language. Use words you would normally use and show the reader what makes you, you. There is no need to over-inflate things. Trust your voice and the fact that your story is interesting enough in that no one else has lived it.

Be creative.

The college essay is not like a typical English paper. It’s a true blend of the creative and the literary. In creative writing classes you often hear the advice, “Show, don’t tell,” and that applies here — to an extent. The best essays typically do both. You can help your reader see and feel what you are describing by using some figurative language throughout your piece. Describe sights, smells, tastes, tactile sensations, and sounds as you write.

That said, just because you are being creative does not mean your essay should lack structure. This is not the time to experiment with a completely outlandish form. You don’t want to make your readers work to understand what you are trying to say. You want them to be entirely absorbed in the story you are telling. The easiest way to do this is by making your essay easy to read.

Think of the typical five paragraph structure for English papers. Your essay should have an introductory paragraph with a thesis/hook, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties everything together. Your story might lend itself to six or seven paragraphs instead of five, depending on where the natural narrative breaks lie, and that’s fine. Just make sure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Be flawless.

Your essay should not have any spelling, formatting, or grammatical errors. Mistakes do not put your best foot forward to admissions counselors, and they are distracting.

Be sure to read, re-read, and share your submission with others to prevent the possibility of mistakes. Use tools like spell and grammar check, and ask at least two other people to read your essay and offer feedback. You can ask a trusted family member to take a look, or even reach out to a friend with exceptionally good writing skills. We often get so close to our own words that we miss obvious errors. Even the best writers in the world rely on editors to help catch mistakes.

Another option is to ask your English teacher or guidance counselor to review your essay. In some schools, students will work on the college essay in English class during the fall of their senior year. This gives them a chance to receive both teacher and peer feedback, which can be incredibly valuable.

Finally, read your essay aloud before hitting submit. It may feel silly, but you will be amazed at the errors you will catch this way.

Make a point.

By the time you reach your conclusion, be sure your essay makes some sort of point. This is what will separate it from the competition. Ask yourself what you want your reader to walk away thinking and knowing about you, and allude to that in your final sentences. A strong conclusion that helps tie the entire essay together, and also points to the bigger picture, is key.

To achieve this, as you finish your final body paragraphs ask yourself “So what?” This will help you hone in on how to end your essay in a way that elevates it into a story about an insight or discovery you made about yourself, rather than just being about an experience you had. Above all, remember that the conclusion should not be an afterthought, nor should it simply summarize the previous few paragraphs.

In many ways, the conclusion is the most important part of your essay as it’s the last thing people will read. Be sure to give it the time, effort, and energy it deserves. You want your readers to pause and reflect at the end of your essay. You want them to feel something, versus just moving on to the next essay on their list.

Finally, remember….

While some students are able to afford pricey college counselors to help guide them through the application process, at the end of the day, there is no magic formula that someone can pay thousands of dollars for when it comes to writing the college essay. Everyone has a unique story to tell and that is priceless. As long as you give yourself the time to brainstorm, and write and then rewrite, as well as ask for feedback from others along the way, you can end up with a solid final product.

One lesson you will learn at college is that the world is full of a wide array of brilliant, interesting, diverse individuals who all have unique life experiences. You are one of those people. Enjoy the process of telling your story, and then relish the opportunity you will have to create more stories as you move onto the next chapter of your life.

How to Write a Personal Essay for Your College Application

We’ve all heard about the dreaded “college essay https://comic.studio/u/Eduarda,” the bane of every high school senior’s existence. This daunting element of the college application is something that can create angst for even the most accomplished students.

What exactly goes into writing a great college essay, and more importantly, what does it take to write one that stands out from thousands of others, landing itself in the “Accept” vs. “Reject” pile?

Breaking Down the College Essay

Let’s start by breaking it down into manageable parts and examining the required elements.

What’s the point of the college essay?

Almost every standard college application requires first-year applicants to submit a personal essay. If you are one of these applicants, you may be wondering, what’s the point?

With so many colleges deciding to go test-optional, (many do not require standardized tests and instead focus solely on your transcripts, essay, and recommendations), the essay is the one place in your application where you can illuminate your character in words and ideas, rather than in numbers and percentages. It is your chance to show schools who you are, what makes you tick, and why you stand out from the crowd.

Admissions counselors will read your essay and try to determine whether or not they want you at their school. While reading, they will be asking themselves, “What will this person bring to our community? Will they make our school a more valuable place?”

What are the prompts?

There are seven personal essay prompts in the Common Application. You may choose to write about obstacles you’ve encountered, your accomplishments and realizations, moments when you experienced extreme gratitude, or select your own topic.

No one prompt is considered “better” than another, but they can vary slightly from year to year, so be sure to read through all of them for your application cycle. At the end of the day, if there is something you feel really passionate about, you can likely adapt it to fit a prompt.

How long should your essay be?

The essay should be 650 words, which might sound like a lot at first, but you will be surprised by how quickly you reach that limit once you get going. Most of the students I work with end up making cuts to shorten their essays before submitting. The word limit is non-negotiable. You will not be able to submit an essay that’s even one word over the limit.

Writing the College Essay

How can you write an essay that helps advance you in the eyes of the admissions officers and makes a real impression? Here are some tips to get you started.

Start early.

Your parents, teachers, and guidance counselors know what they are talking about when they tell you to get started on the essay during the summer before your senior year. Don’t leave it until the last minute. Once senior year starts, life is a whirlwind. Give yourself time when you don’t have other homework or extracurriculars hanging over your head to work on the essay. Aim to start in July or August before senior year.

Starting can be as easy as creating a document where you generate an ongoing list of potential topics. You will want to draft your essay in a separate document anyway. You can copy and paste it over into the Common Application once you have a final, edited version.

Additionally, starting doesn’t always mean sitting down in front of a computer and typing. Talk about topic ideas out loud with anyone who will listen. Discuss ideas for topics with your family members over dinner or on car rides with friends. Think about ideas when you are out for a run or bike ride. Almost all colleges and universities have samples of “College Essays That Worked” in the admissions section of their websites. Reading through these may inspire you.

Keep the focus narrow.

Do not think too big. Your essay does not have to cover a massive, earth-shattering event. Some people in their teens haven’t experienced a major life event. Some people have. Either way, it’s okay.

That leads to another suggestion: Don’t write about Covid-19. Your essay might touch on something that’s an offshoot of your time spent in quarantine or a loss connected to Covid, but it should not be about the pandemic specifically. There’s no question Covid-19 had, and still has, a major impact on all of us, but that topic has been written about by many students from every angle possible. Colleges want to read something different.

The Common Application has added an optional question that gives all applicants a place to address the impact that Covid has had on them personally and educationally. If you feel you have a story you must tell connected to the pandemic, this is the place to share it.

So, what should you write about?

When brainstorming topics, think about challenges you have faced and how you’ve handled them. You can also ask people who know you best how they would describe you in a few words and why. Their responses can be great jumping off points for writing your essay.

Some students choose to write about seemingly small, ordinary topics that illuminate their character beautifully, and are both poignant and thought-provoking. One student I worked with wrote about growing up hiking with her parents from the time when she was a baby in a backpack carrier, to a grumpy middle schooler, to an appreciative, nature-loving young adult who found outdoor experiences were an essential part of who she was at her core.

Other students choose to describe major life events, or especially challenging experiences that have impacted them deeply. An essay that comes to mind is one written by a student who battled loneliness and isolation due to anxiety and depression, and ultimately found invaluable reprieve in the arts, a passion that they hoped to continue to pursue at the college level.

Whether writing about a painful experience or a more simple experience, be sure the essay rises above a strict recounting of a story. Instead, use the narrative to reveal your true self. It’s okay to be vulnerable and honest; in fact, it’s critical you do so. Admissions counselors will not judge you negatively for depicting moments of weakness or fear, or for having different politics than they might. More likely, they will be impressed by your level of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and introspection.

Be authentic.

Admissions counselors want value-adders. What adds value to a college campus? Students who display energy, resilience, leadership, passion, inclusivity, unique outlooks, and people who can inspire others. Your essay should tell a story that highlights traits like these. No one else has lived your life or experienced what you have in the way that you have; tell your unique story. Use a voice that’s real to you.

This is not the time to experiment with overly formal academic nor romantic, flowery language. Use words you would normally use and show the reader what makes you, you. There is no need to over-inflate things. Trust your voice and the fact that your story is interesting enough in that no one else has lived it.

Be creative.

The college essay is not like a typical English paper. It’s a true blend of the creative and the literary. In creative writing classes you often hear the advice, “Show, don’t tell,” and that applies here — to an extent. The best essays typically do both. You can help your reader see and feel what you are describing by using some figurative language throughout your piece. Describe sights, smells, tastes, tactile sensations, and sounds as you write.

That said, just because you are being creative does not mean your essay should lack structure. This is not the time to experiment with a completely outlandish form. You don’t want to make your readers work to understand what you are trying to say. You want them to be entirely absorbed in the story you are telling. The easiest way to do this is by making your essay easy to read.

Think of the typical five paragraph structure for English papers. Your essay should have an introductory paragraph with a thesis/hook, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties everything together. Your story might lend itself to six or seven paragraphs instead of five, depending on where the natural narrative breaks lie, and that’s fine. Just make sure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Be flawless.

Your essay should not have any spelling, formatting, or grammatical errors. Mistakes do not put your best foot forward to admissions counselors, and they are distracting.

Be sure to read, re-read, and share your submission with others to prevent the possibility of mistakes. Use tools like spell and grammar check, and ask at least two other people to read your essay and offer feedback. You can ask a trusted family member to take a look, or even reach out to a friend with exceptionally good writing skills. We often get so close to our own words that we miss obvious errors. Even the best writers in the world rely on editors to help catch mistakes.

Another option is to ask your English teacher or guidance counselor to review your essay. In some schools, students will work on the college essay in English class during the fall of their senior year. This gives them a chance to receive both teacher and peer feedback, which can be incredibly valuable.

Finally, read your essay aloud before hitting submit. It may feel silly, but you will be amazed at the errors you will catch this way.

Make a point.

By the time you reach your conclusion, be sure your essay makes some sort of point. This is what will separate it from the competition. Ask yourself what you want your reader to walk away thinking and knowing about you, and allude to that in your final sentences. A strong conclusion that helps tie the entire essay together, and also points to the bigger picture, is key.

To achieve this, as you finish your final body paragraphs ask yourself “So what?” This will help you hone in on how to end your essay in a way that elevates it into a story about an insight or discovery you made about yourself, rather than just being about an experience you had. Above all, remember that the conclusion should not be an afterthought, nor should it simply summarize the previous few paragraphs.

In many ways, the conclusion is the most important part of your essay as it’s the last thing people will read. Be sure to give it the time, effort, and energy it deserves. You want your readers to pause and reflect at the end of your essay. You want them to feel something, versus just moving on to the next essay on their list.

Finally, remember….

While some students are able to afford pricey college counselors to help guide them through the application process, at the end of the day, there is no magic formula that someone can pay thousands of dollars for when it comes to writing the college essay. Everyone has a unique story to tell and that is priceless. As long as you give yourself the time to brainstorm, and write and then rewrite, as well as ask for feedback from others along the way, you can end up with a solid final product.

One lesson you will learn at college is that the world is full of a wide array of brilliant, interesting, diverse individuals who all have unique life experiences. You are one of those people. Enjoy the process of telling your story, and then relish the opportunity you will have to create more stories as you move onto the next chapter of your life.