WESTWOOD REGIONAL JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING WORKSHOP MAY 21, 2013 SOURCES: 0PLANNING/APPLICATION%20ESSAY%20PACKET.PDF 0PLANNING/APPLICATION%20ESSAY%20PACKET.PDF FISKE, EDWARD B. AND BRUCE G. HAMMOND. REAL COLLEGE ESSAYS THAT WORK. SOURCEBOOKS, INC., NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS STEWART, MARK ALAN AND CYNTHIA C. MUCHNICK. BEST COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ESSAYS. PETERSON’S, LAWRENCEVILLE, NEW JERSEY

LET’S GET STARTED…

WHY IS THE ESSAY IMPORTANT? If a college admissions committee is considering additional factors other than your grades and test scores, the essay can become a major factor in their decision. The essay is your opportunity to tell your story and let the admissions committee get to know you as a unique individual.

DO… Choose a topic that may not be obvious and/or allows you to showcase what you value, such as: - a seemingly ordinary activity that turned into a major life event - an accomplishment that earned NO external reward - something you love but are NOT very good at

DO… Be original: write an essay only you could write.

DO… Make sure your overall message is POSITIVE!

DO… Limit your essay to words, unless the essay prompt includes a specific word requirement.

DO… Begin your essay well. Use logical, frequent paragraph breaks. Conclude your essay well.

DON’T… Use clichés or common topics, such as: - “I hope for world peace” - “I spent one week helping homeless people and now I understand homelessness” - “All my hard work and discipline has paid off” - “Playing sports has taught me about teamwork”

DON’T… Spend your time on what other parts of your application can communicate!

DON’T… Whine Complain Appear angry Appear boastful

DON’T… Introduce yourself to the committee… “Hello my name is______” isn’t necessary.

DON’T… Make typos, careless errors or grammatical mistakes.

GENERATING IDEAS This is a list of ideas to get you started… Most significant personal event/incident in your life Most amusing event in your life Greatest learning experience/incident Most important person in your family Most important person NOT in your family Most important person in history Most important change you’ve made Most significant historical moment Biggest hope/dream/goal for yourself Biggest hope/dream/goal for the world Most important non ‐ school teacher in your life Biggest problem/challenge you’ve overcome Most significant idea you’ve encountered Most embarrassing moment Most important writer Most important achievement (yours or someone else’s) Most important class you’ve taken Most important value you hold Most significant book you’ve read Best piece of advice you’ve received Invention you would most like to develop or see developed Most important nonacademic interest Word that describes you Word you friends/family would use to describe you What you most want to be remembered for from your first 18 years on the planet Favorite piece of music Most important advice you would give a high school freshman Best job you’ve ever had Most interesting place you’ve visited/would like to visit Most important lesson learned Worst mistake you’ve made and how it changed you

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU Real College Essays That Work by Fiske & Hammond Best College Admissions Essays by Muchnick & Stewart Remember that teachers, counselors, and others are available and happy to help proofread your essay!