<p>Well the amherst supplement to the common app is out. I was just wondering if you guys (who are accepted at amherst) have any tips to give on writing a good supplemental essay. Please share your opinions on how to write a great essay which will make the admissions officers think twice before rejecting you.</p>
<p>I put this in the Amherst page coz I want an Amherst specific answer.</p>
<p>Don’t try to sound smart or twist phrases in order to impress others. Rather, be true to yourself, answer authentically and in your own voice. If you are thoughtful and intelligent it will come through in the way you process ideas and grapple with the question. Readers will recognize that quality and experience you as they read your essay. If you’re intelligent, there’s no need to put on airs or try to impress.</p>
<p>They’re so smart they can recognize smart without your telling them you’re smart.</p>
<p>If your answer includes another quotation, historic event, name or reference, that is good but only if YOU actually connect the dots and generate a larger idea from the reference. Just dropping a name doesn’t do it. </p>
<p>If someone who didn’t know you were to read that essay, and after reading it could better imagine you, that’s a good essay. There is text and sub-text to consider. Text is what you actually write, and sub-text is what you are trying to communicate between the lines. From subtext, a stranger gets a total feeling or impression, and tries to imagine the kind of person who could have written those words. </p>
<p>So, be yourself. Relax, take a risk, open yourself up and let the committee get to know you personally through your essay. </p>
<p>If you are actually a reflective person, be reflective at places within your essay. If you’re analytical, go ahead and analyze away within your essay. If you are normally humorous or spontaneous, do that. If you are warm/caring/fuzzy, then pick an opportunity (through the question you select or the anecdotal examples you give) to represent that. </p>
<p>Use the essay as a vehicle to help the committee get to know you; a window into your soul, your thought processes, your values, your personality. </p>
<p>Write many drafts and edit til the cows come home for grammar and punctuation, but only after you’ve said what you want to say to them. If you have some key phrases or words that drive the essay, make sure you’ve chosen words carefully and well. Look for “le mot juste” (the exact right word) to capture the idea. Don’t be lazy. Anytime you use the word “get” there’s probably a better word…so nail it. </p>
<p>Here’s an example. You don’t know me but from the way I just answered your question you might have a “take” on me – my formality, my age, my compassion or concern. I didn’t say any of those things directly, but you got that from the way I chose to answer your question. That’s subtext. Subtext tells you whether that person sounds engaging or selfish; whether you wish you could talk more with that person…or just
say, thanks very much, excuse me, I need to go elsewhere. So have others read your essay and ask them the key question, “Does it sound like me?” </p>
<p>Also very Amherst-specific is they are looking for people who bring unique talents to share within the community. In such a small student body, every person counts, so whatever you have to bring that will diversify, enhance, or be a resource to others (not just yourself) is something to be sure to get across somewhere in your essay or if not there, in short answers. What will you give/bring/offer to others? If you come from an unusual place, or have lived a set of experiences that might make you a great listener/helper/roommate to others, that’s important to building a campus community.</p>
<p>Amherst is a very humane place so really reflect on what you have to offer as a human being to others, in and outside of classes. That offering could be intellectual, emotional, cultural,
artistic talent. Honestly I found at Amherst students are less like “consumers” and more like “mutual providers” to each others’ four-year experience.</p>
<p>Best wishes and good luck. You can do this.</p>
<p>Great advice!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!!! It sounds great. Does anybody else have something to add?</p>
<p>Wow, that’s amazing advice. I’m more convinced than ever (from that post) that I’m ED-ing.</p>
<p>I think paying3tuitions gave the best advice you’re going to get. Not that others couldn’t say it, but at this point they’d just be repeating what has already been said. It’s good advice in general and good advice specific to Amherst. I think the only thing you need do now is start writing. :)</p>
<p>Be truthful about yourself. DD just graduated from Amherst and her essay was on her love of roller coasters. You don’t have to sound like you are a college prof, you just need to sound like yourself. Let your passion come through.</p>
<p>Wow!! thank you paying3tuitions; that really was an amazing answer for all of us! I am still thinking of how to tackle the essay and express myself and my past and life, etc; that is the price of admission to a brilliant and humane place like Amherst I think…</p>