Time for college essays Whaaaaa???
Mrs. Jill Brown College Guidance Counselor Questions about college? Email or set-up an appointment: jbrown@midlandchristianschool.org Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30am-12:30am
Three Requirements for College Graduate from high school and a high school transcript ACT or SAT score Application ApplyTX – college or university in Texas Common Application – college or university outside Texas as well as some Texas schools University specific online application – on the universities website (i.e. ACU) YOUR ESSAYS ARE A PART OF YOUR APPLICATION
Deadlines and Dates Junior Year: Write essays - now Start application – group meeting after spring break Complete application – summer after junior year Apply to college – August before senior year starts Senior Year: Apply for scholarships
What should my essay look like? Personal story or experience Movie scene Creative writing Casual, first-person
What should my essay NOT look like? Research paper Impersonal, formal language List of achievements Report of activities
Two exercises to find your topic Story Questions Value Checklist
Essay A What was the environment in which you were raised Essay A What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person. Personal story from your past Connect the value that goes with your story Current status – the way you implement your value currently through activities, jobs and/or volunteering Future status – how you see this value manifesting itself in your future
Essay B Most students have an identity, and interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself. Personal story – hardship, trial, talent, quirky, boring, vulnerability (i.e. Costco) Something I WANTED, but here’s what I NEEDED Connect the value – tell why it means something to you or is important to you Personal growth – what you’ve learned, hope to learn, or try to implement in your life
Requirements 300-500 words, single-spaced 1-1.5 page MAX Save on Google Docs Email to: jbrown@midlandchristianschool.org Due:___________________________________