Secrets to Writing a Perfect Admission Essay
Applying to college can be stressful, and college admissions counselors know that your essay might be the deciding factor as to whether or not you are accepted.
When you are writing your admission essay, make sure to keep the following points in mind so that you give yourself the best chance of getting into your top choice school.
Step 1: Set clear goals
Before you start writing, it is important to understand what your goals are. What are you trying to achieve with your essay? Are you trying to show that you are a good fit for the school? Are you trying to impress the admissions committee? Once you know what your goals are, you can start brainstorming ideas.
A good way to think about these goals is in terms of your goals for college and your career. For example, do you want to work in an industry that is related to your major? Do you want a degree that will help you advance quickly in your chosen field? Are there certain skills or classes that you are hoping will be required for admission?
Step 2: Write about your passion
Admissions counselors often tell students that the best way to write a great essay is to write about something they are passionate about. And it is true! When you are writing about something you are passionate about, it comes through in your writing. admissions counselors can tell, and it makes your essay more compelling.
Another tip is to show your personality in your essay. A good way to do that is through humor, which makes you stand out. If you have any particularly funny stories or anecdotes that relate back to your major or career aspirations, add them into your essay!
Step 3: Know your audience
The first step to writing a great admission essay is understanding who your audience is. What are the admissions officers looking for in an essay? What will make you stand out from the rest of the applicants? Take some time to research the school and its values before you start writing.
Most universities and colleges list their admissions requirements on their website. These guidelines can help you understand what kind of writing style, essay length, and tone they are looking for. If you do not find anything on their website, contact an admissions officer directly to get more information.
You should also reach out to any current students or alumni from your school of choice who might be able to share some insights with you. No matter where you get your information, make sure it is up-to-date!
Step 4: Tell your story through action verbs
Admissions committees want to see evidence of your qualities and accomplishments in your application essays. Using action verbs, you can paint a picture of yourself that demonstrates these qualities without ever saying I am ____. Here are some examples
Honesty is one of your greatest assets. It is obvious when someone is lying, and admissions officers can tell if you are not being up front about something. Be sure to always be honest in your application essay, because it will only help your chances of admission.
Honesty demonstrates maturity and trustworthiness that every school looks for in an applicant. If you lie or misrepresent yourself, admissions officers will assume you will be dishonest as a student too.
Step 5: Begin with a hook
The college admission essay is your opportunity to sell yourself to the admissions committee. But what exactly should you include in your essay? And how can you make sure that your essay stands out from the rest?
The first step towards writing a great essay is to open with an interesting hook. After all, your goal is to capture the attention of your reader and draw them into your story.
Step 6: Incorporate humor
Adding humor to your essay can be a great way to make it stand out from the rest. But, be careful not to overdo it. A little bit can go a long way. Try to find a balance between making your essay unique and interesting, while still staying true to who you are.
As you brainstorm ideas for your essay, do not be afraid to get a little silly. Every good essay has an element of humor. If you can tell a story or joke that is relevant, make sure it does not sound forced.
Being natural and easygoing will allow you to naturally incorporate humor into your writing style. If you try too hard, however, it can come across as forced and will not reflect well on your personality in general.
Step 7: Show, don’t tell
When you are writing your essay, be sure to show rather than tell. The admissions committee is looking for insight into who you are as a person, and they will not get that from a list of your accomplishments. Instead, give them examples that show your qualities.
One way to do that is by using personal anecdotes. Many students mistakenly believe that admissions officers are looking for academic success stories, but that is not always true.
Sometimes sharing some of your funnier or more embarrassing moments can be just as illuminating as discussing something scholarly. But you should not limit yourself to your grades and extracurricular activities either—it is also important to include information about what you really care about.
Step 8: Avoid cliches at all costs!
Cliches are the death of good writing. They make your essay sound trite and unoriginal. Admissions officers have seen it all before, so do not bore them with the same old platitudes. Instead, focus on creating fresh, compelling content that will grab their attention and hold it until the very end.
Tired words and phrases include hard worker, team player, diligent, and of course, I really want to go to (name of college). It is better just to show these qualities in your essay than tell them.
Step 9: Keep it short and sweet!
As much as colleges want to know about you, they are also looking for students who can express themselves clearly and concisely. So, in order to make the most of your word count, focus on quality over quantity. Tell your story, but do not ramble on.
Make sure that your essay is well organized. You do not want your personal statement or application to read like a jumbled mess! Step back and look at it from an outsider’s perspective; make sure that each paragraph flows seamlessly into the next, and there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.