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Learn the key components of a great college admissions essay.
Writing a good admissions essay can mean the difference in getting into the college of your choice or having to settle for a choice down the list. While this essay is one of the most important essays you will ever write, the good news is that you are writing it about yourself; and who knows you better than you?
Your admissions essay is your opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd and writing a successful admissions essay means that you are writing one that will capture the reader and make them want more. Here are some key components of a successful admissions essay:
• Be enthusiastic: Nothing grabs the attention of the person reading your admissions essay more than an enthusiastic tone. This is accomplished by writing about something you are truly passionate about. When you write about what you enjoy, your enthusiasm shows.
• Don’t be boastful: While it is okay to go into your accomplishments somewhat you need to avoid being too boastful. Remember you are trying to get into their institution; they are not seeking you out. No one wants to read about how great you are. Just write from your heart and let the essay speak for itself.
• Watch the humor: While it is alright to have some funny stories in your essay you have to be sure that they are genuine stories that are just humorous. Don’t try to create humor as doing so will come off immature and dishonest and won’t have the reader laughing but rather will have them hurling your essay in the trash can.
• Don’t use slang: Use words that everyone knows. Don’t use slang no matter how well known that slang may be. You will also want to avoid acronyms and abbreviations as not everyone knows what lol means. Spell everything out.
• Keep it simple: Don’t try to come off like Shakespeare. Be genuine and write as you would talk. If you are trying to use too many big words it will come out in your essay and in the end it won’t make a lot of sense. Get into the school first and then show them how smart you are.
• Be sure you like your essay: Before you submit your essay read it out loud several times. As you do this you will revise and edit and with each reading you should ask yourself if you were interested in the paper. If you are bored with it then chances are so will the readers at the admissions board. After you are satisfied with it have someone in your family read it out load and watch their reactions. Do they look into the paper or do they look bored? Ask them to honestly tell you if the essay was engaging or boring and make adjustments if necessary.
Writing a good admissions essay can mean the difference in getting into the college of your choice or having to settle for a choice down the list. While this essay is one of the most important essays you will ever write, the good news is that you are writing it about yourself; and who knows you better than you?
Your admissions essay is your opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd and writing a successful admissions essay means that you are writing one that will capture the reader and make them want more. Here are some key components of a successful admissions essay:
• Be enthusiastic: Nothing grabs the attention of the person reading your admissions essay more than an enthusiastic tone. This is accomplished by writing about something you are truly passionate about. When you write about what you enjoy, your enthusiasm shows.
• Don’t be boastful: While it is okay to go into your accomplishments somewhat you need to avoid being too boastful. Remember you are trying to get into their institution; they are not seeking you out. No one wants to read about how great you are. Just write from your heart and let the essay speak for itself.
• Watch the humor: While it is alright to have some funny stories in your essay you have to be sure that they are genuine stories that are just humorous. Don’t try to create humor as doing so will come off immature and dishonest and won’t have the reader laughing but rather will have them hurling your essay in the trash can.
• Don’t use slang: Use words that everyone knows. Don’t use slang no matter how well known that slang may be. You will also want to avoid acronyms and abbreviations as not everyone knows what lol means. Spell everything out.
• Keep it simple: Don’t try to come off like Shakespeare. Be genuine and write as you would talk. If you are trying to use too many big words it will come out in your essay and in the end it won’t make a lot of sense. Get into the school first and then show them how smart you are.
• Be sure you like your essay: Before you submit your essay read it out loud several times. As you do this you will revise and edit and with each reading you should ask yourself if you were interested in the paper. If you are bored with it then chances are so will the readers at the admissions board. After you are satisfied with it have someone in your family read it out load and watch their reactions. Do they look into the paper or do they look bored? Ask them to honestly tell you if the essay was engaging or boring and make adjustments if necessary.
