<p>i really don't know anything about college essays. so, what are some good topics to think about? your passions? should you discuss what you want from a college and what you hope to gain from a college experience or is reflecting on high school and other experiences a better route to follow? do some schools have required prompts, or are all essays your choice? also, how long should they be?</p>
<p>any responses?</p>
<p>Most schools have prompts (the common application has a selection of prompts) and most apps will tell you how long the essays should be. Do a search on this forum and you will find reference to the "Bible" of college application essays. It is called On Writing the College Application Essay and is by Harry Bauld. It is possible to have one of two essays and then modify them to fit the prompt. The essay should show who YOU are. There was a recent thread on the parents forum with some good examples and advice.</p>
<p>Also, check the College Admissions forum - there is a sticky thread on editing college essarys.</p>
<p>College essays should be taken seriously especially if you plan on applying to Ivies, top LAC's, and other top universities (UChicago, Johns Hopkins for example). Most important thing is to personalize your essays as much as possible to give the admissions staff insight into what kind of person you are. It's also a good idea to avoid controversial issues. I'll PM you a few of my essays if you are curious.</p>
<p>LOL, I wrote about something controversial in all my essays. I would say above all let the essay reflect who you are, both in style and content. I did my main one on global warming and the Kyoto protocal because I was really into an environmental class at the time. I did another one on the constitution and civil liberties. Obviously, I'm into politics, but I let my sense of humor show in the style of the essays, and I showed that the issues are important to me. For the common app, read the prompts and pick something that stands out in your mind as important. The person reading the essay should finish with an idea of you, your personality and interests.</p>
<p>A lot of schools have required prompts; you will probably have to write more than one "why _____________" essay where you explain why you choose to apply to the school. I had to write 3, plus an essay on a teacher, an essay on a photograph, an essay on "the one thing I'd bring" to college.</p>
<p>I echo the thing about different styles for different peoples. For some people, humor works, for some people, weird stories work. Mine read more like a direct speech - and it worked.</p>