1. Writing More Persuasive Study Abroad Application Essays
UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
OCTOBER 30, 2018 1

2. Use the prompts and evaluation rubrics.
Principle #1
Use the prompts and evaluation rubrics.
Answer the question how, and be specific.
In addition to describing, evaluate.
Use hooks and frontload important info.

3. Really read the question. Which words matter most?
Discuss your academic goals and highlight the ways in which you feel your academics will be enriched through international study. How will this particular study abroad program contribute to your goals, build upon your education to date and connect to your studies when you return to campus? Please describe the classes you plan to take abroad and how the academic focus of this program relates to your major, minor, and/or demonstrated academic interests.

4. Discuss your academic goals and highlight the ways in which you feel your academics will be enriched through international study. How will this particular study abroad program contribute to your goals, build upon your education to date, and connect to your studies when you return to campus? Please describe the classes you plan to take abroad and how the academic focus of this program relates to your major, minor, and/or demonstrated academic interests.

5. Discuss your academic goals and highlight the ways in which you feel your academics will be enriched through international study. How will this particular study abroad program contribute to your goals, build upon your education to date, and connect to your studies when you return to campus? Please describe the classes you plan to take abroad and how the academic focus of this program relates to your major, minor, and/or demonstrated academic interests.

6. Discuss your academic goals and highlight the ways in which you feel your academics will be enriched through international study. How will this particular study abroad program contribute to your goals, build upon your education to date, and connect to your studies when you return to campus? Please describe the classes you plan to take abroad and how the academic focus of this program relates to your major, minor, and/or demonstrated academic interests.

7. Principle #2 Use the prompts and evaluation rubrics.
Answer the question how, and be specific.
In addition to describing, evaluate.
Use hooks and frontload important info.

8. What does it mean to show “how”?
Name actions.
Use strong, meaningful verbs that emphasize those actions.
Making connections between elements.

9. Examples 9
Studying in Belgium will help me to develop my intercultural awareness.
Doing this research taught me a great deal about history.

10. Examples 10
Studying in Belgium will help me to develop my intercultural awareness by
Doing this research taught me a great deal about history; . . .

11. Examples 11
Studying in Belgium will help me to develop my intercultural awareness by forcing me out of my home context and giving me a way to challenge my assumptions.
Doing this research taught me a great deal about history; getting first-hand experience with archives taught me a lot about how to analyze primary texts.

12. 12
I facilitated educational and cultural exchange activities on a service trips in Mexico
where I organized English language instruction for 40 children and in turn learned about their food, sports, and language.

13. Verbs 13
Seek out better verbs to convey
More meaningful actions.

14. Principle #3 Use the prompts and evaluation rubrics.
Answer the question how, and be specific.
In addition to describing, evaluate.
Use hooks and frontload important info.

15. Aiming to evaluate and not just describe means….
saying more about less
making sure that every sentence you include has a purpose, that it adds something to your argument
pushing past “resume sentences”

16. Strategy: Revise your “resume sentences”
I got a job leading the hands-on history camps at the Golden History Museum.
I assisted a professor in submitting four professional publications.
I took courses at a university in Spain for one summer during undergraduate studies.
I want to study in Senegal.

17. Editing a resume sentence
Editing example:
I assisted a professor in submitting four professional publications.
Assisting a professor in submitting four professional publications…
Assisting a professor in submitting four publications helped me to value the complexity of representing research to professional audiences.

18. Editing a resume sentence
Another example:
I wrote several research papers on Senegalese culture.
Writing several research papers on Senegalese culture. . .
Writing several research papers on Senegalese culture gave me insight into the complex political situation of West African countries.

19. Resume sentences take different forms
I will strive to gain a better understanding of the local background, customs, and society.
I knew from my experience in Romania that I wanted to complete a BA in both English and International Studies.
I walked to my college library ready to prepare for my first classes since returning.

20. Principle #4 Use the prompts and evaluation rubrics.
Answer the question how, and be specific.
In addition to describing, evaluate.
Use hooks and frontload important info.

21. Your reader

22. Anti-hooks:
From a very young age, I began to learn the power of education from my grandparents, who showed me how hard work, dedication, and diligence can pay off for someone who is passionate about what they do.
Through the Study Abroad Program in Paris, I wish to add to my academic studies by increasing my fluency in French as well.

23. Hooks:
Studying in Milan will change my life.
Three questions hit me in Guatemala’s Western Highlands three years ago.
Speaking someone’s language involves more than just words.

24. Hooks Ideally, a hook has three qualities:
It is relatively short, snappy, and declarative
It is specific to YOU
It is thematically related to some overall argument or goal

25. Frontload important information25
Whether you are using separate sections or an integrated discussion,
Frontload the most important piece of information near the beginning of a section or paragraph.
Alternately, think of using the first sentence of a paragraph to make an argument and not a transition.

26. Often, paragraphs in application essays start with transition sentences:
After I got back from Africa,
In order to graduate early,
Once I figured out that I wanted to study in Japan,

27. Instead, start paragraphs with meaningful sentences that tell your reader something about you right away:
Visiting Africa changed my perspective on global affairs.
I want to study in Japan.
This research challenges me to think in new ways.

28. Questions? What questions does this raise for people?
Parrish/DU/Fulbright Personal Essay

29. If you don’t yet have a draft, stay and get started
If you don’t yet have a draft, stay and get started. You’re already here! Get some writing done!
If you have a draft, find a partner and use the handout to begin a conversation.
When you have a sense of what your questions are, have a mini-consultation with a consultant.
Meet with the OIE representative to ask your study abroad process questions.
Make an appointment for a full-length consultation at the Writing Center!