THE APPLICATION ESSAY

The application essay is probably the most dreaded part of the application for the student.  Most selective schools require at least one, and sometimes several, essays. 

Imagine all of the parts of your application on a table before an admission officer:  your application, your transcript, your test scores, your recommendations.  Think of your essay as being that part of your application which transforms your file from a collection of bits of information into a real person.  If one of the essay questions is, "Provide us with any other additional information which might be helpful in evaluating your application, "then do just that.  The essay is the student's chance to make his application come alive.  Especially at smaller and medium sized schools, the student who presents himself in a lively, honest, and self-motivated image is improving his chances for admission. 

Above all else, admission offices are looking for honesty, openness, directness and sincerity in your essays.  You should not feel that you have to come up with something unusual or tragic.  You should not try to give the reader what you think he or she wants.  You should not use language with which you are not usually comfortable.

What should you do when writing your essays?  Make sure you understand the question you are answering and answer it.  Do not give one school the answer to an essay for another school unless the questions are exactly the same.  Give yourself ample time to write good essays.  Write a first draft and then put it away for a couple of days.  Take it out and revise it.  Put it away again.  Polish it and then have someone else read it, for both content and grammatical and spelling errors.  A sloppily written essay is an easy death for any applicant.  Remember your audience and be sure to show, not just tell .  Remember that longer does not necessarily mean better.  If you are asked to keep your response within a certain space, do not exceed that space.  If you are asked to hand-write your essay, do not use a word processor. 

Be careful about getting too much help on your essays.  It will show and it will spell doom if the reader gets the impression that the work is not your own.  Someone who reads hundreds (or thousands) of them will be able to tell.  Write your own essays!

Be careful not to lose your originality; be YOURSELF, and leave yourself plenty of time to do a good job.

HINTS FOR WRITING

THE PERSONAL ESSAY FOR COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

 

•    You are writing for a purpose.   Be persuasive in showing the reader you are deserving of the award.   Remember your audience.

 

•    Read good essays before you begin.   There are books full of them and weekly magazines – Time and Newsweek , for example – carry essays in each edition.

 

•    Be certain you understand the question or the topic.   Your essay should answer the question or speak directly to the given topic.

 

•  List all ideas – any possibilities.   Be creative; brainstorm without censoring.

 

•  Sort through ideas and prioritize.   You can’t tell them everything.   Be selective.

 

•  Choose information and ideas not reflected in other parts of your application.   This is your chance to supplement your application with information you want them to know.

 

•    If you have problems with your essay, your English teacher would be happy to help you.   Have at least one other person review your essay for technical errors and content.   Demand an honest opinion.

 

WRITING THE DRAFT

 

•     Develop paragraphs one idea at a time.   Include topic sentences with examples of your point or convincing reasons.

 

•     Write in a natural style, one that is honest and believable.

 

•    Avoid a somber tone, forced humor or melodrama.

 

•  Aim for a mature, thoughtful tone; you want to come across as serious and responsible – but not without humor.

 

•  Do not become cute, breezy, or overly familiar with your remarks.

 

•  Write in the active voice.

 

•  Use standard spelling and punctuation.

 

•  Use verbs to add depth and meaning to your essay; shy away from a steady reliance on forms of the verb, “be”.

 

•  Develop exact, concrete language.   Avoid vague references/wordy usage.

 

•  Avoid “very”, “really”, “a lot”, “hopefully”, and “regardless”.

 

•  Use transitions to make your writing flow.

 

•  Use concrete examples.   Often examples of behavior demonstrate an idea better than an adjective.   (show how or why, don’t just tell).

 

•  Submit only essays that are mechanically and grammatically perfect.

 

•  Follow their directions:

•  If the directions say “typed”, type the essay.

•  If the directions say “your own handwriting”, write your essay in your own handwriting.

•  If the directions do not specify writing or typing, type your essay.

 

•  Title your essay.

 

•  Do not begin or end your essay by thanking anyone for this wonderful opportunity to share your ideas or experiences.