Sheri Mural: Application essay tips, before you take pen to paper, or keyboard to monitor, there are couple of do’s and don’ts you need to keep in mind as you prepare to write your college application essay. Do: Be specific. Avoid the generic, bland, predictable phrases that admission officers will see and everyone else’s essays. The best way to do this is to use vivid and specific details. But don’t go over the top.
Don’t use 20 words when five will do. Keep your language tight and concise. Do write about what interest you; this is what admission officers want to read. A major mistake you can make is writing what you think they want to read. By doing this you are avoiding being you. Being open and honest is refreshing. Admission officers can smell contrive and fake writing a mile away.
Don’t try to impress with vocabulary if you use a big word, you better know what it means and how it's used. Trying to be a verbose only annoys the reader, it doesn’t impress anyone. Do you prove your points; use concrete examples to support your theme as it will help to distinguish you from other applicants. Don’t write a résumé. The essay is a place for you to put in information that isn’t going to be found elsewhere in the application. If you just rewrite your application in your essay, you’ll be putting the reader to sleep.
Do revise your essay at least twice the more the better. Look for punctuation errors, spell check errors and information that doesn’t connect with your over all theme. Also have a trusted friend or family member read it and give honest feedback. Don’t be a joker; using gentle humor is okay but trying to force a laugh where you usually flap and may even back fire. Resist the temptation to insert questionable wording and anecdotes; you never know who will be reading your application essay.
Do end your essay with a concise conclusion that ties up your theme and restates it for the reader. Most people tend to remember the end of an essay over the beginning. So you want to leave a positive impression for the reader. Don’t make things up; you would think this tips are no brainier right? Wrong, every year there are hundreds of stories by college admission officers regarding applicants who lies, exaggerated or just plain fabricated facts and information, often in hopes that the reader wouldn’t be paying attention. Making things up is a quick way to being rejected.
And there you have it, some quick do’s and don’ts to help you write your college essay. If you need help with your essay or any other part of your college application process, please call our office at 703.242.5885 or drop us an email at info@AdmissionsConsultants.com. We can help you brainstorm ideas and provide feedback on your essay.
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