Essay Prompts

Essay Prompts This is the same approach you need to use in your essay. Line up your scenes in chronological order so that the story is easy to follow. Each university has its own set of prompts you should write about. These three facts give us the first clues as to what should be included in your essay. Universities are not just looking for students that hope to acquire good skills; they are looking for those who have a promising future. Your future success makes them look good and encourages more students to want to study with them. Your essay should reflect a powerful sense of commitment to your goals and your future success. Have another person (or several!) read your essay, whether it’s a teacher, guidance counselor, parent, or trusted friend. You know what you meant to say, but is it clear to someone else reading your work? Have these people review your application essay to make sure your message is on target and clear to any audience. Believe it or not, the brainstorming stage may be more tedious than writing the actual application essay. At this point you already have all the information you need to create a powerful essay but now you need to start building it. Remember, that every story has a main plot, a few characters that the reader can connect with, and a slow build up to the climax. If you want to demonstrate your integrity, share a story that illustrates how you passed up an opportunity to exploit an advantage that was unfairly gained. Claiming that you have good study habits is another empty claim. Detailing the exact study habits that have helped you succeed in school, backed up with the GPA on your application, carries much more weight. Using words in your essay that you don't typically use in your daily conversations can sound awkward and forced. Words have nuance to them, and simply inserting a word from the thesaurus is a great way to destroy that nuance. The purpose is to flesh out all of your possible ideas so when you begin writing, you know and understand where you're going with the topic. Now forget all that, because a successful college application essay is totally different. Sample essay 2 with admissions feedback This is the currently selected item. Two summers ago, I travelled to Ecuador to live with a friend’s family and teach Spanish theater to third graders. The experience implanted a “cookie” in me, filling me with a desire to learn about different cultures. I brought this desire home to a volunteer position at a local program for immigrant children. I helped the kids make presentations about their places of origin, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It became clear that the English language, one I took for granted, is the central feature that brings groups together. I’m starting with whats impacted me most of my life, what’s still in front of me, being Transgender in the school system. You may have to revise several times before your essay delivers your message perfectly. As you go through your revision keep these basic guidelines in mind. It’s time for you to narrow down your options for an essay topic and begin to build your story. Thesaurus abuse is a lazy and easily spotted trick, and seasoned admissions officers will see right through it. If you feel that you're overusing a particular word, think of alternatives on your own without consulting a thesaurus; using words that you're familiar with will help you avoid misusing them. When tailoring responses to individual college prompts, it’s important to use specific details you’ve learned through visiting and research. Here is an example of a prompt from the University of California. Their goal is to pull together a certain mix of people. They don’t want a collection of copycats all doing the same thing in their respective high schools. Your essay should show something that is unique; a demonstration of a distinctive quality that no other student may choose to offer. Not only does this show colleges that you’ve have done your homework, but it also demonstrates your interest in the college â€" and colleges want to admit students who are likely to enroll. Show your knowledge of the college by mentioning specific courses, professors, places of interest, and more. Show how you fit into the campus culture and how you will impact the community through specific examples. This final step will likely take much longer than writing the entire essay.