EC Essay Advice / Help

<p>So I am in the process of writing all of my essays but I'm not sure even how to start the extracurricular essay...</p>

<p>Is it suppose to be merely a description, much unlike the personal statement which "shows" rather than "tells"? Or could it be a narrative of a certain aspect of an extracurricular?</p>

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<li>For example, I am going to write about the nonprofit I started. I had a good idea for a narrative in which I would describe one of our annual fundraisers much like you would expect in a personal statement that describes one aspect of a sport or one characteristic of a family member. OR I could just present it in a very straightforward manner, I am the cofounder. . . We raise money for . . . I learned about . . . and so on. </li>
</ul>

<p>I really appreciate the help! Also, if anyone who helps me needs help, I can return the favor by critiquing your essays!</p>

<p>-Mike</p>

<p>You have the right idea. Think of it as a mini personal statement, and avoid writing it in a “very straightforward manner.”</p>

<p>Kali22 -</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

<p>Kali22’s right, you have the right idea. Just make sure to make the statement ‘you’ more than answering it as if you were answering a question on a test. I’d also pick a particular fundraiser that might have really touched you - or where something memorable happened. Just to show more character you know?</p>

<p>Also, I’m hoping to start my own nonprofit organization soon. I haven’t gotten really into anything other than a few ideas passed around. However, I was wondering if you could share your experience of how you started yours and any pointers on starting one?</p>

<p>Tempusflees -</p>

<p>Thank you!! That’s exactly what I plan on doing, talking about my favorite fundraiser that we do each year. </p>

<p>As for advice, we started ours with a lot of family’s help. We had about 20 people actively helping to get it started, so staffing our early fundraisers (which always raised few little money) was easier. </p>

<p>When we became an actual nonprofit (called a 501(c)), everything became so much simpler since people could write off donations on their taxes.</p>

<p>Those would be my two pieces of advice!! PM me if you have any questions.</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

<p>Just to reitterate the importance of SHOWING rather than TELLING. Each essay should show a different attribute of yourself. In addition, write concisely. Make these essays as compact and easy-to-read as possible.</p>

<p>So would it not be a good idea to write the first half as if I’m talking about something else? It’s hard to explain… I am trying to get the reader to think I’m talking about one thing, but they only learn half way through that I’m really talking about something much less dramatic. Do you know what I mean?</p>

<p>Can the EC essay be…artistic? As in, conveying emotions and character more, and not using a linear structure? Or is the point to describe your EC accomplishments fully and in depth?</p>

<p>wilsun007 -</p>

<p>That’s a great question and exactly what I am trying to figure out! I can’t find a good answer anyway. I want to write mine in a quasi-artistic style (still in linear structure, though) but I worry about making it not formal enough.</p>

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<li>Mike</li>
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