1. College Essay Workshop 2015

2. Please get started on your Warm-up
Thank you for coming!
Please get started on your Warm-up
Independently take a few minutes to fill out the page, “What Sets You Apart?”

3. Now…..
Cross out anything that would be in the rest of your application
What’s left?

4. Why is that info important?
Your essays should say not WHAT you did, but WHO YOU ARE as a result.
You should be able to identify 4-5 definitive traits in your application that are reinforced in your essays.
Your application should read like a book: It should be a page-turner!

5. Grades in college prep courses 83.4 Strength of curriculum 65.7
Percentage of colleges attributing “Considerable Importance” to factors in the admission decision
Grades in college prep courses 83.4
Strength of curriculum 65.7
Admission test scores (SAT, ACT) 59.3
Grades in all courses 46.2
Essay or writing sample 26.6
Student’s demonstrated interest 23.0
Class rank 21.8
Counselor recommendation 19.4
Teacher recommendation 19.0
Subject test scores (AP, IB) 9.6
Interview 9.2
Extracurricular activities 7.4
Portfolio 5.9
SAT II scores 5.3
State graduation exam scores 4.2
Work 1.9
SOURCE: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2010.

6. Your essay should SHOW, not tell
Jump right in! At most, they will spend 12 minutes on your application.
If you have multiple essays, do NOT write about the same topic.
If I picked your essay up, would I know it’s you? Could I make a couple of tweaks and make it my essay?
DON’T BE GENERIC (B-O-R-I-N-G).
Sometimes they read the essay first.

7. Let’s try it! Don’t be literal (“I’m from Irvine, California.”)
Use descriptive words and images for places, music, events, food, conversations, objects, and so on.

8. Now you’re ready write your essays on your own!

9. Common Application
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