The college essay, personal statement and short paragraphs are important parts of the college application. Further, by the time students apply, they are usually the only parts of the application that the student still has control over. If these statements are written with care, they can help the student to stand out from other applicants and to present a dynamic, personal and memorable view of the student to the admission staff. Students should plan on writing many drafts of their essay.
Essays that try to be too comprehensive end up sounding watered-down. Students should remember that it is not about telling the admissions committee what they have done - can admission representatives can pick that up from the student's list of activities - instead, it is about the student
showing the admissions committee their unique qualities and characteristics.
Here are some important essay tips:
- Do not tell the reader what you think the reader wants to hear. You will be wrong!
- Do not use one hundred words when ten words will tell your story just as well, if not better.
- Do not forget to proofread.
Proofread again! It is the student's critical responsibility to proofread their entire application, including the essay before hitting the submit button or putting it in the mail. The easiest way to proofread an application is to read it out loud, not to yourself, but actually out loud. When possible students should print a preview of their application to proofread out loud , and then it keep for their files.
