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Essay Tips

Admissions officers have a huge number of essays to read each year, so make yours stand out. Don’t be afraid to be exciting and creative.

• Be real and honest.
  Readers can tell when you are making something up that sounds good
  
  
• Write about something that's important to you.
  If you don’t care, your readers won’t either.
  
  
• Make a list.
  Before you begin your essay, write down information about youself. You can include academics, activities, sports, recent events, family, and friends. By doing this, you can begin to formulate what you want to talk about in your actual essay.
  
  
• Topics
  The usual essay questions involve describing yourself, why you want to go to a particular school, and your academic and extracurricular activities.
  
  
• Choose an interesting subject.
  You have unique life experiences. Try to share those instead of duplicating the normal travel or family stories. If your topic is creative, you will be able to use the essay on more than one application.
  
  
• Be specific and detailed.
  The more the readers can get to know you, the better your chance of acceptance.
  
  
• Be concise.
  Your essay should have a main point. The readers should not have to guess at what you are trying to say. Connect all of your thoughts.
  
  

Steps to the Successful Essay

• Brainstorm
  Even if the essay questions are not related to what you want to write about, think about how you can tie them together.
  
  
• Answer the question with originality.
  Don’t be mundane, even if you are rushing to get it done. Be creative! Read your essay to see if it interests you.
  
  
• Rewrite and proof many times.
  Colleges will appreciate your persistence. Have someone else proof it for you.
  
  

Helpful Links

Sample Essays
www.essayedge.com/college/essayadvice/samples/

Articles about Essays
www.bestschoolsusa.com/essaytips.html