College Essay Writing Tips and Techniques Getting Started

Advice from Those Already Accepted: Start working on your essays now!

Why are essays important? The essay is the only subjective part of the application The essay is the only subjective part of the application Tell the reader something they can’t find anywhere else in the application. Tell the reader something they can’t find anywhere else in the application. Talk about something you are passionate about. Talk about something you are passionate about.

Types of Essays Personal Statement Leadership Essay Professional Statement

Essay Tips Answer the Question! Write a rough draft and have others read it Be descriptive; use specific examples Don’t make a list, tell a story. PROOFREED!!!!!

Deal Breakers Don’t mention the wrong school in your essay. Keep to the word limit. Good grades, good ACT, short, weak essay = LAZY. Be very careful about touchy subjects. DON’T: ramble, make your essay true confession time, forget the purpose.

What do I write about? Start with a concept map Gives you many ideas Gives you many ideas Shows your passion Shows your passion Allows for deep thought and reflection on your feelings toward your activities and goals. Allows for deep thought and reflection on your feelings toward your activities and goals.

NAME 2 times that you failed. 2 times you were successful 2-4 things which you consider yourself very knowledgeable about 5 people you admire (dead or alive) an Why Extracurricular activities/volunteer experience/jobs 3 adjectives/personality traits you would use to describe yourself. 3 traits others would use to describe you Goals: Where do you see yourself in the future?

Extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, jobs Basketball Belonging to a group Competitive Exercise Happiness Pride Passion Cooking Reading Hip-Hop Dancing

So now what? Fill out the concept map If you need help, come see a counselor Start your personal statement and let someone read it- we like to Check out schools websites for essay topics- U of I posts in late June early July START SOMETHING NOW!!!!!!

Common Application - Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. -Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. -Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

Common Application (cont) -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. -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. -Topic of your choice.

Probable U of Illinois Prompts Essay 1: In an essay of 300 words or less, please discuss your academic interests and/or professional goals. Essay 2: In an essay of 300 words or less, choose one extracurricular activity, work experience, or community service project from the list you provided on the application and explain why you initially chose it, why you continued with it, and how you benefited from it.

Be on the look out in the fall for…. COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOPS FOR SENIORS. October 9, 10, 11 th in the College/Career Center during ALL lunch hours. October 9, 10, 11 th in the College/Career Center during ALL lunch hours. Bring in an already started essay for the counselors to edit/critique. Bring in an already started essay for the counselors to edit/critique. Bring in the essay prompt and get help with starting the essay. Bring in the essay prompt and get help with starting the essay. NAVIANCE/COLLEGE APPLICATION NIGHT October 24th, in the College/Career Center,3:30-7:00 October 24th, in the College/Career Center,3:30-7:00 Another chance to have your essays read! Another chance to have your essays read! Thank you for attending! Thank you for attending! Questions? Questions?