<p>Application Essay and SAT Essay can be sometimes a real pain. What would be your suggestions for preparing this task? Maybe books on how to write essays? Or fiction books to read?
For me, the 50 essays from Crimson was a good start</p>
<p>For the SAT essay, just walk-in to the test with some examples already set in your mind. For the application essay, look into yourself.</p>
<p>I'm applying this year to colleeg and I have been trying to write the essay but I always end up feeling stupid</p>
<p>The 1st edition crimson or second?</p>
<p>1st, 1999 one</p>
<p>im applying to schools that all use the common app. I was told by an admissions officer at one of the schools that the best essays are when the person chooses the open ended question (question # 6) but I cant think of a question to ask.</p>
<p>should i stick with one of the questions given or try to find a new question to answer---ps does anyone have a question they can give me?</p>
<p>Just be yourself. I don't know you personally, so I don't know which question is like you. Sit on it and think about it. Write about something you like PASSIONATELY - video games don't count here tho. </p>
<p>If you can't do an open-ended question, that's okay. Answer one of the provided questions. Colleges won't reject you just because you didn't make up your own question. However, they want to see how you present your story. Don't try to fit a mold or tell something that you think might impress admission officers. Admission officers can see through it ... they're not transparent -- they done this job for years so they know what they're doing.</p>
<p>I personally didn't go with the open-ended question. I answered the personal issue ... something that held significance for me. Also, for me, the best time to write essays is late at night (1am, 2am, 3am-ish), because that's when you're somewhat sleepy, but you'll be yourself, because you're gonna be so tired that you won't be controlling what you write. However, that's how I work, but it doesn't that you have to work that way.</p>
<p>My advice is to take a look at your entire application: test scores, grades, extra activites, and and try to envision what part of your story is missing. Use your essay to fill in the blanks and to round out your package. Make sure the reader learns something new about you.</p>
<p>Same problem here...I just end up feeling stupid when I try to write the college app essays. When I try to write one on a topic that I really feel passionately about (Debate), it only ends up sounding cliche. <em>sigh</em> any advice?</p>
<p>well an essay question for one of my college apps is.."tell us more about yoyrself"
first of all where the heck do you start?..its such a broad question lol
but anyways i have had a life with some not so good things happening to me, i want to ell abut them soi can show that i got trhough it and all that, but i dont want them to think im trying to throw a pitty party!</p>
<p>what should i do?</p>
<p>The 50 [Successful Harvard Application] Essays book is very good.</p>
<p>Well, at least the essays are helpful. I actually read my roommate's copy which was in Korean, so I could only read the essays, not the 70% of the text that was in hangul...haha...</p>
<p>Whatever idea that comes across your mind, write it down. It may seem trivial and simple but you can turn it into something far more substantial. Trust me, it's surprising how some of the most random stuff that has happened to you turns out to be your prompt for the essay. Don't limit yourself to the generic topics/cliches. Think about something unique to you.</p>
<p>I had an admissions officer tell me the best essay he ever read was about a young girl's struggle with acne! He said he was moved to tears!</p>
<p>i rd that a couple of u wrote that they should learn something new- so i was wondering would it b a bad idea to write about medicine wen that is wat i'm interested in- n admissions officers will prolly know this thru other parts of my app (intended major, etc)- but that's wat i'm really passionate about i was thinking about writing about a field trip n my excitement b4, during, n after the trip n how it was diff from other ppl's....so idk if its a good or bad idea...its something that i'm passionate about, but not necessarily new...wat should i do?</p>
<p>ja_narcisse: i also have the same problem- I have faced a lot of issues n i was talking to some admin officers n they were telling me that they like hearing about challenges as long as they r put in a positive way- how did u overcome ur obstacle? if u do it that way u should b fine</p>
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My advice is to take a look at your entire application: test scores, grades, extra activites, and and try to envision what part of your story is missing. Use your essay to fill in the blanks and to round out your package. Make sure the reader learns something new about you. by applicantmum77
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<p>I believe this is a very thought through suggestion. Great idea. I'll be thinking of this suggestion when I began to write my transfer essay.</p>
<p>the essay boils down to all you have accumulated in your 17-18 years of life, so i don't think there's anything you can do last minute for it apart from style. the songs you love, the trips you took, the people you met, your family, the obstacles you have overcome, the good things you have accomplished are all possible topics to include. when it comes to style, though, you can get influenced from things as diverse as a favorite book or song, or a movie or a tv show. i formatted my essay inspiring from one of my favorite songs, and it turned out to be really well.</p>
<p>Wait, on the common app "Topic of your Choice" do you have to make up a question? I just kind of wrote and my essay came up. I don't know if I could really use it to answer a question....</p>
<p>No, you don't. That option applies to every topic that is not covered by any of the other options.</p>
<p>In case anyone wonders, for the last option of the Chicago essay, you do have to make up a question in their style. I read it on their blog.</p>
<p>Re: the SAT essay, there's no advice to give; just do your best.
The applications give you plenty of opportunities in the essays to show something about you not otherwise evident; pick something small, even mundane, one aspect of you and elaborate with examples (not a list of accomplishments or descriptions). Try to choose a challenge faced or obstacle overcome, but, again, stay focused and specific.
I know of one student who wrote about baking a cake, but used the subject to show (not describe) the challenge (being blind). My son wrote about performing in a talent show (he played a piece combining simultaneous bassoon and piano performances); he was always shy and showed how he tried to do something he wouldn't ordinarily do, made friends, and accepted failure (he didn't win).</p>
<p>No, video games can count. If that's what you're all about. You can write about anything - a great essay on games>a decent essay on community service.</p>