Crafting Your College Application Essay
Now that you have taken the SAT, what’s next? Writing your college application essay that’s what’s next.
If your SAT scores are in and you know where you want to attend; it’s time to start thinking about and writing your college essay. Don’t wait till the last minute to write your college application essay.
In many instances a well crafted essay can have a greater impact on your college acceptance than your SAT score. So, take the time and make the effort to prepare your a masterpiece.
The anatomy of a college essay is as follows:
- the topic
- supporting points
- title
- opening
- body
- closing
Choose Your Topic and Supporting Points
The first thing you want to do is decide exactly what you want to write about within the guidelines of each school to which you are applying.
Most schools will have a list of possible topics from which you can choose. If you are applying at more than one college, it makes sense to use a topic that will work for all your choices so you only have to write one great essay. So think long and hard about your topic and how you are going to describe it.
Try to think of a different or unusual way to tell the reader exactly who you are and why they should choose you over some one else. Remember they will be reading several essays and you want yours to standout from the rest. Examine your life and try to find an event that you can use to show your character and passions.
Then develop about three points that will support your topic. The explanation and expansion of your supporting points will be the paragraphs of your essay body.
The Essay Title
After choosing your topic and the supporting points, you need to create a knockout title. Your title should reflect your topic, catch the reader’s attention and be memorable.
The title Why I Want to go to XYZ University won’t standout. You need to avoid being generic. However, used in the right context Gone Fishing could be a great title. Be creative.
The process of creating your title needs time. You may even change your mind as you write and expand your essay, that’s okay. Just remember that a good title can make all the difference.
The Essay Opening
Your opening should introduce your topic and supporting points, but most of all it should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to finish your essay.
You can accomplish this task by using a quote, a startling statistic or a controversial phrase. Each of these methods work equally well as long as it fits your topic. Don’t use something just to use it. It must fit logically.
A well written opening will get the reader to the closing and you to the next level.
The Essay Body
The essay body is usually three or four paragraphs based on your supporting points. Use the body to tell the story or stories that demonstrate your differences, passions and character. However, remember to be brief and precise don’t write for the sake of writing. Tell the story and be done.
The Essay Closing
The essay closing is probably the most important part of the essay. It’s here that you will tie it altogether and make your call to action. Your call to action being please choose me.
Author:Â Darrell Causey
Are you at a loss about how to include your high school job experience in your college application essay? Check out this article for some helpful information and tips.
How to Write a College Application Essay?
These guidelines are not only developed to make sure that you are able to organize your thoughts effectively, but also to help the admissions staff in reviewing essays. Give yourself enough time that you can write the essay and then.
5 Ways to Build Your College Application
See Your Guidance Counselor, Making an appointment with your guidance counselor for them to look over an essay or how you filled out your college application may help you. They will be more than happy to help you with at least one.
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