A Statement on College Essays Here

<p>Almost every single essay I've taken a look at or edited here has been significantly under-par, especially for the colleges they are for. It confuses me how such an easy part of the application is being butchered by so many of you (that includes the ones with amazing credentials). I don't mean to be pretentious or harsh, I just want to help (the essay can easily make your application better than many people with amazing resumes or make your application turn into an easy rejection). Maybe the reason so many are weak are because this thread attracts those in need of help. But I think this thread also attracts people that are just paranoid about the process and care about their applications. </p>

<p>Here are my tips (maybe you've heard them elsewhere, but put them to use!):</p>

<p>Don't force creativity or humor. I'm sure you've all seen that awesome essay that pulls off this difficult task, but more likely than not, you are not as creative or deft of a writer. Distinguishing yourself is not a hard task that means you must write your essay as if you were an alien viewing yourself from outer space. Furthermore, if you aren't creative in the first place, why show the admissions officers something that isn't you? It will probably just come off as fake or contrived. </p>

<p>Don't try to be "epic." So many of your essays just feel fake when you try to make a science bowl competition sound like the deciding factor on whether human life should continue to exist. I'm not saying to refrain from spicing up a story, but don't use adjectives that make the whole situation sound ridiculous. Don't try to imitate a descriptive writer if you aren't skilled enough to pull it off. Be real! </p>

<p>Don't write in vague, broad terms. "The trip to Nairobi made me understand that people really are poor. Now I know to be as nice as them and be generous." Be specific! Also remember to answer the question. If a specific event influenced you, don't spend the whole essay describing the event in monotonous detail without describing how or why it has changed you. </p>

<p>Make clear sense to the reader. As much as your essay might make sense to you, it is not always as clear to the reader. Keep to one coherent theme or message. Don't sprawl from topic to topic or drastically shift views and contradict yourself at the end of your essay. Also don't use commas, semicolons, and awkward SAT words if they don't make sense in the context or you don't know how to use them. </p>

<p>Remember the image your essay sends off. Almost any essay topic can be pulled off, but unless you really have a passion for the subject, it might just make you seem dumb. Remember to avoid cliches and sappy corniness. Also write about a meaningful topic. Don't pick an odd topic just for the sake of it. The college admissions officers do not want your essay to be like the awesome one you read, they want it to be awesome in your own, different way. </p>

<p>Be concise. Revise your essay a lot. There are always places that can be made shorter.</p>

<p>GL~!</p>

<p>great tips...now i have a tip too.</p>

<p>teach the reader about yourself. The point of a college essay is to teach the reader (the admissions officer) as much as possible about YOU, the student applying. The more they know, the more willing, obviously, they will be to accept you. You could write the most brilliant college essay ever but if you don't even give a hint about what you learned, your personality, or anything like that about YOU...your essay will not be as effective as you think. Just my 2 cents..</p>

<p>yeah thanks nooob </p>

<p>here are some other useful, funny tips:</p>

<p>MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: "The College Essay: Yogurt Edition!"</p>

<p>buMP! 10chizar</p>

<p>I wrote an essay about living with autism. The prompt was, "Describe your world." I described my world of sounds as, "reverberating throughout the deepest corridors of my mind in unique patterns" I discussed how it has shaped my aspirations and the skills it gives me. I then hinted about why I wanted to come to their school, "I want to learn of worlds other than my own."</p>

<p>The second part of the essay (second prompt) asked me to describe an experience or fondness toward something. I wrote, "The forsaken planet drifts in ellipse, guided by the sun. I'm the planet; the sun is my passion...Having a sun, a passion, I discover the universe and myself." The rest of the essay was really fun to write. I talked about my passion, defined it and myself, but I think I might have been a little eccentric.</p>

<p>The really cool thing I like about the essay is when I read it out loud, it </p>

<p>My counselors didn't just glance at it. They read the whole thing word by word. My english teacher told me it was very captivating, but I don't know if that is enough to sway "reject" to "accept".</p>

<p>"Don't force creativity or humor. I'm sure you've all seen that awesome essay that pulls off this difficult task, but more likely than not, you are not as creative or deft of a writer."</p>

<h2>I too have a read a lot of essays on this and I MUST ONE-UP this piece of advice. </h2>

<p>"Also don't use commas, semicolons, and awkward SAT words if they don't make sense in the context or you don't know how to use them."</p>

<h2>I think I have this problem myself =P</h2>

<p>"Be concise. Revise your essay a lot. There are always places that can be made shorter."
Again, very important.</p>

<p>Well said. 10char</p>

<p>"Almost every single essay I've taken a look at or edited here has been significantly under-par"</p>

<p>north face has read my esssay..... hahahah</p>

<p>interesting post about the autism essay as I wrote an essay about autism as well, not my own, but my sibling's. Robogirl, I don't know if you know this already or not, but I think you should consider yourself lucky to be at a high functioning level of autism. My sibling is not as fortunate and it has been a mystery everyday as to what she thinks. I wrote my essay particularly about the way she inspired me (she loves to sing although most people can't understand her).</p>