Accepted student with some advice for the application essay

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

<p>This is some advice I gave to someone who asked my help to write their Wellesley application essay. I hope it all helps. If you need any help… I am here for you :slight_smile: </p>

<li><p>First just write, write, write, WITHOUT worrying about the limit (my essay was orginally about 2 and a half pages double-spaced.)</p></li>
<li><p>when they say “two well developed paragraphs” they mean about one page double spaced or less. This is enough space for you to write your reasons, once you make your writing concise. As long as it is 2 paragraphs, it is OK to make them a little long. </p></li>
<li><p>List your ideas in order of importance. </p></li>
<li><p>Keep in mind the image you want to give and write your essay in that manner. You may have 5000 reasons why u want to go to Wellesley, but only 10 match the image you are trying to portray. </p></li>
<li><p>Look at each word critically and ask… do I really need it? Get rid of any excess words.</p></li>
<li><p>Write your essay over a span of time. I tried writing my essay several times over the span of one weekend and it didn’t work. Work on your essay for a while, then set it asside for some time. Then come back to it with new eyes.</p></li>
<li><p>Mirror what Wellesley looks for in its prospective students. They like girls who are driven, socially-conscious, worldly, and aspiring leaders. </p></li>
<li><p>Just start writing! Trust me- writing the first draft is the hardest part. Let yourself go.</p></li>
<li><p>Mention SPECIFIC programs, clubs, etc that you are attracted to. Vague essays can make it seem like you copied and pasted from an another essay. “pretty campus” “endless opportunities” “prime location” “smart women” etc are vague terms that can describe a lot of schools. </p></li>
<li><p>Don’t go nuts. Relax… If you really want to go that will show. They don’t obsess over your essay.</p></li>
</ol>

2

<p>Thank you...I was just about to post a thread asking if any ED admits could write up something similar! </p>

<p>and congratulations!</p>

3

<p>pdidz7, thank you, you're a star for doing this! If I get in I'll name my first born after you!</p>

4

<p>I have a few more suggestions/elaborations. I don't know if these are what they look for, but it's what I did, and it worked!</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Make sure most of your points apply ONLY to Wellesley. They don't want to know why you want to go to any liberal arts school, or even any all-women's school.</p></li>
<li><p>Make it personal. If it sounds a little colloquial, that's probably OK. Let them know why your reasons for liking the school are unique.</p></li>
<li><p>Show how you'll "use" the school. How can it help you, specifically, get wherever you want to go?</p></li>
<li><p>Don't just restate what their website says!</p></li>
</ul>

<p>And good luck!</p>

5

<p>redsexton and HopefullyLAC, thank-you.</p>

<p>lol.. redsexton.. what if your first born is a boy? :P </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Thanks guys, this was really helpful :)</p>