1. Essays for College Applications Carolyn Hoy, M.Ed. Warwick High School Carolyn Hoy, M.Ed. Warwick High School

2. http://www.theitinerantconnection.com/Students.htm

3. The College Application Essay Is a chance to showcase your talents Another piece of the application Not required for every college Not a time to rehash what your transcript already says about you Is a chance to showcase your talents Another piece of the application Not required for every college Not a time to rehash what your transcript already says about you

4. Remember the college wants to decide if you fit

5. Common App #1 Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

6. Common App #1 This will require you to think critically about the experience’s impact on you. Stay away from the“winning sports cliche” essay. “Significant” doesn’t have to mean impacting a lot of people. It could mean significant in how it affected you. This will require you to think critically about the experience’s impact on you. Stay away from the“winning sports cliche” essay. “Significant” doesn’t have to mean impacting a lot of people. It could mean significant in how it affected you.

7. Common App #2 Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

8. Common App #2 Remember to discuss: think critically and write analytically. You don’t need to re-hash and tell the story. It should be apparent that the issue is of importance to you, so say so. The college wants to see why you would be good for their school Pick something close to home in scope Remember to discuss: think critically and write analytically. You don’t need to re-hash and tell the story. It should be apparent that the issue is of importance to you, so say so. The college wants to see why you would be good for their school Pick something close to home in scope

9. Common App #3 Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

10. http://jordysbeautyspot.blogspot.com/2010/04/style-icon- lady-gaga.html

11. Common App #3 WHY is this person important? Be careful using mom, dad, or pop icons. Everyone is influenced by their parents. What does it say about you if you are influenced by Lady Gaga, when you’ve never met her? Think about changing it up: influence can be positive OR negative WHY is this person important? Be careful using mom, dad, or pop icons. Everyone is influenced by their parents. What does it say about you if you are influenced by Lady Gaga, when you’ve never met her? Think about changing it up: influence can be positive OR negative

12. Common App #4 Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

13. Common App #4 More explaining, less describing Stay away from predictable choices (MLK, Gandhi, Major Winters, etc.) Creative choices can mean science, technology Be sure the essay focuses on you More explaining, less describing Stay away from predictable choices (MLK, Gandhi, Major Winters, etc.) Creative choices can mean science, technology Be sure the essay focuses on you

14. Common App #5 A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

15. Common App #5 Diversity doesn’t have to mean just race or ethnicity. What do you bring to the college that is different than others? Be careful to avoid racial stereotypes or racial language Diversity doesn’t have to mean just race or ethnicity. What do you bring to the college that is different than others? Be careful to avoid racial stereotypes or racial language

16. Common App 6 Topic of your choice.

17. Common App #6 Make sure your essay topic isn’t #1 to 5 Cleverness is tricky: it can be funny as long as it’s serious Reveal yourself in the essay Make sure your essay topic isn’t #1 to 5 Cleverness is tricky: it can be funny as long as it’s serious Reveal yourself in the essay

18. Some additional real prompts Colleges often have their own “quirky” essay prompts. Here are some of the ones my students have shared: Describe last Tuesday. If someone were to Google your name in 50 years, what would they find? When you win the Nobel Prize... Colleges often have their own “quirky” essay prompts. Here are some of the ones my students have shared: Describe last Tuesday. If someone were to Google your name in 50 years, what would they find? When you win the Nobel Prize...

19. If you could build anything out of any material, what would it be? Describe your imaginary best friend. Why (insert college name here)? Describe an unexpected challenge. If you could build anything out of any material, what would it be? Describe your imaginary best friend. Why (insert college name here)? Describe an unexpected challenge.

20. Honesty is really important! Writing skills must be impeccable! Use appropriate, serious tone Humor is ok, however Reveal your character What about you is NOT apparent on paper? Honesty is really important! Writing skills must be impeccable! Use appropriate, serious tone Humor is ok, however Reveal your character What about you is NOT apparent on paper? Some other points

22. Use resources Much information about essay writing is on the web Utilize sample essays and other hints and tips Have your paper read by trusted helps: teachers, guidance, gifted support Listen to advice that you get Much information about essay writing is on the web Utilize sample essays and other hints and tips Have your paper read by trusted helps: teachers, guidance, gifted support Listen to advice that you get

24. Resources http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_t ips.htm www.essayedge.com www.collegeboard.org http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_t ips.htm www.essayedge.com www.collegeboard.org