College Admissions

College Admissions Do address any information about yourself and your application that needs to be explained . Include that information in your essay, and be straightforward about it. Your audience will be more impressed with your having learned from setbacks or having a unique approach than your failure to address those issues. Applications that have several short-answer essays require even more detail. Don’t waste space with information you have provided in the rest of the application. Every sentence should be effective and directly related to the rest of the essay. Don’t ramble or use fifteen words to express something you could say in eight. Do you have special skills, like leadership, management, research, or communication? Why would the members of the program want to choose you over other applicants? Be honest with yourself and write down your ideas. Again, doing research on the program may reveal ways to legitimate even your most superficial and selfish reasons for applying. Although you need to be creative while writing your essay, resist the urge to get creative with the facts. If you are having trouble, ask a friend or relative to make a list of your strengths or unique qualities that you plan to read on your own . Ask them to give you examples to back up their impressions (For example, if they say you are “caring,” ask them to describe an incident they remember in which they perceived you as caring). Admissions officers don't expect you to be perfect, so don't make your essay unbelievable by trying to pretend that you are. Even if one prompt draws your attention, however, spend some time thinking about at least a few of the other choices. he ending hook should deliver a strong message that will remain with the reader even after he or she has finished their essay. This is the point where you will create the opening sentences in your essay. These will be the words that will draw your reader into the story. Your list will serve as your outline, and the expanded story you create will become the first draft. It won’t be perfect but all of the elements are already in place. Sometimes, deeper reflection can help you find an even better subject to write about than your first impulse. Use outlines, word clouds or free association to help you come up with material for each of the different prompts. Why is this the program you want to be admitted to? What is special about the faculty, the courses offered, the placement record, the facilities you might be using? If you can’t think of anything particular, read the brochures they offer, go to events, or meet with a faculty member or student in the program. You don’t want to be completely straightforward in these cases and appear superficial, but skirting around them or lying can look even worse. For example, you may want to go to a program in a particular location because it is a place that you know very well and have ties to, or because there is a need in your field there. Don't exaggerate your own accomplishments to make yourself look better. You don't need to lay out a long list of all your shortcomings, but acknowledging weaknesses and misjudgments can demonstrate authenticity and give your legitimate accomplishments greater credibility. Get straight to the point in every case, and address what they’ve asked you to address. What details or anecdotes would help your reader understand you? Is there something about your family, your education, your work/life experience, or your values that has shaped you and brought you to this career field?