The College Admissions Scoop: Making the Most of Written Portion of the College Application

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

The college essay and the short paragraphs are important parts of the college application. Further, by the time students apply, they are usually the only parts of the application over which the student still has control. 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 picture to the admission staff. Students should plan on writing many drafts.

Essays that talk about too much end up sounding watered-down. Students should remember that it is not about telling the admissions committee what they have done - admission representatives can pick that up from the student's list of activities - rather, it is about showing the admissions committee the applicant’s unique qualities and characteristics.

Here are some important essay tips for students:

• Don’t tell the reader what you think the reader wants to hear. You’ll be wrong! Just be yourself.
• Don’t use one hundred words when ten words will do well, if not better.
• Don’t submit your first draft; it’s probably not your best work.
• Don’t keep at it just to get it done. Allowing at least a day between drafts will help you decide if your writing says what you want to it to say in the best way possible.
• Don’t give it to 10 people to read.  Limit the feedback you receive, otherwise it will sound like it was written by a committee instead of an individual – you.
• Do remember to proofread.

Proofread again! It’s your critical responsibility to proofread your entire application, including the essay, before hitting the submit button. The easiest way to proofread an application is to read it out loud, not to yourself, but actually out loud. When possible you should print a preview of your application to proofread out loud, and then keep for your files. 

The College Admission Scoop: Begin College Applications Now!

Parents, think of the college application process as another course your child will be taking this fall. Writing college essays and answering short answer questions is time consuming. To put their “best foot forward” they will need to devote considerable thought, time and effort to their writing. Randy Mills, a former admissions counselor concurs, “It is certainly apparent -- the amount of time and effort that goes into an application. You can tell the well thought-out ones from the ‘I just whipped this up’ applications.”

Many things occur during the fall of senior year that might prevent students from giving the application process their all. Students who begin during the summer have a distinct advantage.

Marilyn