<p>So I'm drafting my Common App essay for the 2014-2015 application season and I sort of have my idea narrowed down amongst other things. But I do need some help on a few things.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Formating
I assume in paragraph style? But how many paragraphs, how to break them up, etc? I know the limit is 650 words but is there a specific guide for this.</p></li>
<li><p>Accomplishments
How many accomplishments + which accomplishments should I throw in there? I don't want to seem braggy but I do want to show some growth/progression through my main idea and I want to know what terms could be used to sort of present my accomplishments/awards but sort of downplay them, if you feel me?</p></li>
<li><p>Overused words/terms
Some overused words/terms to avoid and what to replace them with and how to inflate my writing sort of. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>And lastly my essay topic is sort of sad-like? Would going for a more pathos appeal and trying to get it to be like a tearjerker be a positive or a negative? </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Break it up however you want. No guides, anything goes.</p></li>
<li><p>It depends how you throw them in there. Your accomplishments will be on Common App and thus do not need to be in the essay itself, unless you really want to go in-depth on one of them. You won’t come across as braggy as long as you show the hard work you did to get the accomplishments/awards and don’t try to fit in awards that aren’t relevant to the topic of your essay.</p></li>
<li><p>There are so many, they’re not even worth listing. The most common ones I see are “passion,” “drive” or “driven,” “want to help people,” “fortunate,” “hard worker,” “I’m fascinated by,” “Ever since I was little” or “As a child, I was curious and would always ask questions,” “dream,” “ready for the challenge,” “desire to learn,” and "comfort zone.’ Basically, anything that if a person read just that sentence, they wouldn’t know it was talking about you. And don’t try to inflate your writing; just write normally.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s okay if your essay is sad, but it should end on a positive note. And if your attempts at drama fail, it will just make your essay look bad.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>OnMyWay2013’s tips are excellent. For more helpful advice and examples of college essay mistakes, I highly recommend the following two books:
- On Writing the College Application Essay, 25th Anniversary Edition: The Key to Acceptance at the College of Your Choice
- Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps, Second Edition: Crafting a Winning Personal Statement </p>
<p>Both are fast reads and great for anyone wanting to improve their writing skills. I got them for my daughter who’s a senior. If only she had the time to read them. :(</p>