College Essays 101

1
Perfecting the Essay

• College Essays 101

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College Admission 101

• Curriculum
• GPA and/or Rank
• Standardized Test Scores
• Writing Sample/Essay
  
• Letters of Recommendation
• Involvement/Leadership
• Unique Experiences/Hooks
• Interviews

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Common Application Types

• The College Admission Essay
• The Short Answer Essay
• Supplemental Essays

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Previous Topics

• A time when you overcame adversity
• Your proudest moment
• People whom you admire
• New experiences you would like to have
• Why you are passionate about certain subjects and
  activities
• What you value

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Risky Topics!

• Topics that have been overused
• What I learned in sports.
• Recovering from sports injuries.
• My study abroad experience.
• The President of the United States.
• Current, political or religious issues.

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Avoid!

• Redundancy.
• Cryptic comparisons.
• Forcing it.
• Trying to be funny, when youre not.
• Quoting overused sources, poets and authors.

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First Steps

• Start early!
• Read any and follow all directions carefully.
• Answer the question.
• Consider the institution (i.e. liberal,
  conservative, religious, etc.?).
• List several possible topics.
• Develop outlines for three of them.
• Choose one to develop.
• Prepare a rough draft and then let it sit for a
  couple of days.

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Remember!

• Write the essay as if you had to read it.
• Write about something you know and enjoy.
• Stay positive.
• Be original.
• Make sure it flows well.
• Try to demonstrate at least one personal
  characteristic (e.g. determination, intellectual
  curiosity, warmth, etc.), if possible.

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Remember!

• Rewrite your draft, if necessary.
• Make sure that it doesn't exceed the recommended
  size the average essay is typically 1 ½ to 2
  pages in length or 250-500 words.
• Proofread it several times.
• Have a friend, your English teacher and/or your
  college counselor review it.
• Revise and type your final copy.
• Make several copies.
• Put your name and social security number on each
  page.

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Remember!

• Readers usually take about 15 minutes per
  application.
• Open with a power statement, a sentence that
  immediately attracts the readers attention.
• Continuity is important. Avoid being too
  cryptic. The essay should flow smoothly
  throughout. If the reader has to stop to
  question anything, you have lost your
  opportunity.
• Attempt to elicit some type of emotion from the
  reader.
• Close with a power statement, a sentence that
  reflects personal insight.

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Opening Power Statements

•  Green Eggs, Ham and Social Responsibility. 
• If I could be any roll in society, I would be a
  croissant.
• The morning is cool and damp, and the darkness is
  just lifting with the chill.
• The teachers at my high school are known for
  their eccentricity on the one hand and their long
  tenure on the other.
• "Ball! shouted the umpire.
• 1 Boykin Curry and Brian Kasbar, Essays That
  Worked (New Haven, Mustang Publishing Co., 1986).

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Opening Power Statements

• Within the past seven years, I have moved 364
  times.
• 559 on my bedroom digital.
• Last April I received the shock of my life.
• At 48 and just under 70 pounds, I am as big as
  I will ever be.
• I remember screaming, "I WON, I WON, I WON!" as I
  ran down the street half-naked in my pajamas.
• "Awe shut up!" I screamed while slamming the car
  door.
• I love to write.
• 1 Boykin Curry and Brian Kasbar, Essays That
  Worked (New Haven, Mustang Publishing Co., 1986).

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Closing Power Statements

• Damn, it was cold.
• Or so I am told.
•  I would have gotten in anyway--as a cadaver.
•  And never shall the demon haunt me.
•  One black one still believed. 
• Although left-handed, I must be in my right
  mind.
• 1 Boykin Curry and Brian Kasbar, Essays That
  Worked (New Haven, Mustang Publishing Co., 1986).

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• Barry Kaye
• Question What is the best piece of advice
  you've ever received?
• "Move your ass! yelled a man as a car was
  bearing down on a five year old boy who was about
  to cross the street. That boy was me, and
  needless to say, I took his advice and moved. As
  far as I am concerned, that was the best piece of
  advice I've ever been given, for had I not
  received it, I would not be here to say so.
• The second best piece of advice I ever received
  was from my uncle, who said, "Barry, go to
  Medical School."
• If I am not accepted to the University of
  Pennsylvania solely on the basis of this truthful
  answer, so be it. If I had not taken the man's
  advice, I would have gotten into Medical School
  anyway, as a cadaver.
• 1 Boykin Curry and Brian Kasbar, Essays That
  Worked (New Haven, Mustang Publishing Co., 1986),
  p. 88.

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• Barry Kaye
• Question What is the best piece of advice
  you've ever received?
• "Move your ass!" (Opening power statement!)
  yelled a man as a car was bearing down on a five
  year old boy who was about to cross the street.
  That boy was me, and needless to say, I took his
  advice and moved. As far as I am concerned, that
  was the best piece of advice I've ever been
  given, for had I not received it, I would not be
  here to say so.
• The second best piece of advice I ever received
  was from my uncle, who said, "Barry, go to
  Medical School."
• If I am not accepted to the University of
  Pennsylvania solely on the basis of this truthful
  answer, so be it. If I had not taken the man's
  advice, I would have gotten to Medical School
  anyway, as a cadaver. (Closing power statement!)1
• Outstanding essay, but way to short the standard
  college admission essay is 1 1/2 to 2 pages or
  250-500 words long. Notice the opening and
  closing power statements. It flows, makes me
  laugh and reveals the writers sense of
  humor--the perfect essay.

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Resources

• Connecticut College http//www.conncoll.edu/essays
  .htm
• University of Chicago https//collegeadmissions.uc
  hicago.edu/apply/essays/past.shtml
• Tufts University http//admissions.tufts.edu/apply
  /essay-questions/past-essays/

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Contact Information

• Rusty Haynes
• 719-576-9487
• CollegeMasters_at_comcast.net