1. Writing Your College Admissions Essay

2. What is a College Admissions Essay?
Also called a Personal Statement
An essay that helps the college admissions board better understand who you are
Focuses on who you are vs. what you’ve done

3. What a College Admissions Essay is NOT
A resumé or list of what you’ve done

4. Top 10 Things Colleges Look For in a High School Student
Challenging classes (AP/Honors/College Classes)
Good grades
Good test scores (ACT/SAT)
Demonstration of leadership/initiative
Community service
Work or out-of-school experiences (demonstrates responsibility, dedication, and maturity)
Well written admissions essay
Good letters of recommendation (integrity/skills/character)
Supplementary recommendations
Things that make you stand out (honors/awards/talents/experiences)

5. Follow Directions Read and follow directions carefully.
Answer all parts of the writing prompt.
Adhere to word count limits.
UC system = 1,000 words for 2 essays
Approximately 750 words for one essay
About 2 typed pages (1 inch margins, double-spaced)
Approximately 250 words for the other essay
About ¾ typed page (1 inch margins, double-spaced)

6. Bloopers From College Essays
If there was a single word to describe me, that word would be “profectionist”
I was abducted into the national honor society
I want to be bilingual in three or more languages
I would love to attend a college where the foundation was built on women

7. UC Writing Prompts Prompt #1
Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Prompt #2
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

8. Personal Inventory

9. College Admissions Essay