<p>I am in the process of applying to various colleges, but my only problem is that I am not a very good essay writer. I need a really strong essay to help me get admitted into the college I'm planning on going to. What do you recommend me to do to have a perfect college essay.</p>
<p>P.S.: None of the teachers I know are helpful...I've asked them for help before but they're useless. My writing still sounds like a 7th grade paper. Please help!</p>
<p>There are numerous threads on essay writing. Dig through the archives of this forum to find them. I think there was one in particular by Marlgirl that covered all of the basics. (I don't have the link, though...)</p>
<p>when one is not a good writer (or at least considers oneself not a good writer) it is easy to let the prospect of having to write something paralyze you. </p>
<p>stop focusing on the writing part. first think about your topic. imagine what you would want a chance to tell the adcom about yourself. what are the important things you want to say. what is something you can get excited about telling someone about? and think about it as telling someone something, dont think about having to write about it.</p>
<p>then after you have an idea of the types of things you want to include, start a rough draft. put it down and walk away. come back a couple of days later -- now try and see if it says what you wanted to get across. don't be afraid to edit it to bring it closer to what you wanted to say. have someone else read it - ask them if its clear. IMPORTANT RULE HERE -- if you have to sit there and explain to the person what you meant, you have to rewrite it to make sure it says that -- you won't be sitting next to the adcom to explain it to them. this is why having someone else read it is so important - often since you know what you are trying to say, you think what you wrote is clear when it may not be. </p>
<p>don't worry about using fancy words or sounding like a Ph.D. tell what you have to tell clearly and simply. let them see who you really are. check spelling. make sure you have no run on sentences. </p>
<p>good luck and relax. writing an admissions essay is a process - they don't flow out fully formed on the first shot. </p>
<p>and often gc's will be willing to review an essay before you finalize it - don't be afraid to ask - you won't be the only one.</p>
<p>a personality.</p>
<p>You know I'm excited about writing my college essays for one reason- it's not about having MLA format, it's not about blah blah blah- it's about you. The best essays tell something about the person without outright saying "this is what i'm like"</p>
<p>Good writing comes from two things:
1. Talent
2. Hard work and practice</p>
<p>Since you do not have the talent, just keep practising. Keep a journal starting now, read books on writing and follow the tips, write essays to the Common app prompts or your own topic and ask feedback from a teacher who cares.</p>
<p>You just need to know what adcoms are looking for. Write about the death of a pet. If you never had a pet that died, make it up. Just make sure you write about a dying Fluffy or Bingo.</p>
<p>Just kidding.</p>
<p>You need a personality, Shahein is right.</p>