1. Copyright © Wondershare Software Essays Admissions, School, SAT

2. Copyright © Wondershare Software MUST watch that UVA Entrance Paper video! Link on website Different types and format – Common App, supplemental essay, short responses, choose your own topic “Entrance Paper” – rapidly increasing importance This is YOUR voice! This seriously is your chance to shine! What you know of the world, your cool ideas, your thinking, etc.

3. Copyright © Wondershare Software Seeing the essay as a Synthesis From afar the entrance paper looks broad, but it is only broad for the topic. The approach is specific. The difficulty is drawing from a lot of methods of thinking you learned from different sources. Google “Admission essays that worked” and READ! Common App essays are most important because it will be read the most – usually more narrative, but unlike any essay you’ve ever written Supplemental = Optional = DO IT! (more about conveying ideas than being a story-teller) Topic = can be broad (don’t kill yourself over it); Execution = relatively specific

4. Copyright © Wondershare Software You cannot expect to become a quality writer by just reading novels, magazines, or newspapers as you are taught in school. You have to synthesize styles to make your point. Ex) Reading fiction will help you with the creative side of things, but you still need a form of content. Essays are not a creative writing contest, but just like everything else, the way you present may change how it is received. Learn the creativity PART from non- fiction, but only draw from that idea when it comes to your essay, don’t try to emulate it

5. Copyright © Wondershare Software 1.Strategic and ambitious effort to read as many essays as possible (don’t skip this!) 2.Read the prompts 3.Outline and characterize Start with Reach essays and the main Common App Essay. 4. Brainstorm Topics and main ideas you want the committee to learn about. SPEW ideas on paper and learn to MASSAGE them into good essays! 5. Context Start with your favorite idea, something you want the committee to know about you, and think about a nice context to deliver it.

6. Copyright © Wondershare Software 6. Write, rewrite, and rewrite You HAVE to be hard on yourself! Develop the raw material and a lot of it will be recycled afterwards. Tailor your essays for the Reach schools first, then perfect them, and finally you can transport ideas to other essays. 7. Proofreading with CAUTION 1)English language proof-reading Grammar errors, spelling, structure Grammar errors, spelling, structure Choose 1 or 2 people who you trust their writing ability, such as your English teacher Choose 1 or 2 people who you trust their writing ability, such as your English teacher 2)Content proof-reading Ideas, Style, Flow Ideas, Style, Flow “this doesn’t answer the question” – careful! “this doesn’t answer the question” – careful! Be wary of an overdose of opinions Be wary of an overdose of opinions

7. Copyright © Wondershare Software Don't just recount–reflect! Never write the “McEssay” Describe what you learned from the experience and how it changed you. You want to use “Italy” to explain what you learned about diversity/culture/yourself! Being funny is tough You’re dealing with people! A student who can make an admissions officer laugh never gets lost in the shuffle. However, what you think is funny and what an adult working in a college thinks is funny are probably different. We caution against one–liners, limericks and anything off–color. A student who can make an admissions officer laugh never gets lost in the shuffle. However, what you think is funny and what an adult working in a college thinks is funny are probably different. We caution against one–liners, limericks and anything off–color.

8. Copyright © Wondershare Software Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions officer Is the essay interesting? Do the ideas flow logically? Does it reveal something about the applicant? Is it written in the applicants' own voice? What you write in your application essay or personal statement should not contradict any other part of your application – nor should it repeat it! This isn't the place to list your awards or discuss your grades or test scores. Answer the question being asked. Don't reuse an answer to a similar question from another application. This is why you should read the Common App early!

9. Copyright © Wondershare Software 100 Successful College Application Essays http://www.princetonreview.com/college/essay.aspx College Essays that Made a Difference

10. Copyright © Wondershare Software These are not what you will write for the college essay, but you should draw ideas from them and benefit from the useful practice. Class essays focus on: 1.Argumentative essay, 2.Document based essay, and 3.Novel analysis essays Reasserts the importance of knowing your audience

11. Copyright © Wondershare Software Just grab on to an idea as soon as you have it and don’t overthink the idea, just write. Human readers necessitates good handwriting. Every minute you’re not writing, you’re losing out. ~5-10min thinking and then write In your “thinking time”, write a QUICK outline that bullets your points As a simplistic model, if you’re writing more, you’re probably writing better

12. Copyright © Wondershare Software Avoid qualifying (unless you’re a boss writer) – focus on making your argument strong, even if you don’t 100% believe in it. The idea of the question is to catch you off on a topic that has two definitive and reasonably valid sides. They are TRYING to make you waiver in your thinking. Just be firm on one point, draw 2 or 3 ideas to back it up, and write a small conclusion summarizing the ideas. The focus should be how you use the IDEAS to strengthen your argument.