4 Steps For Writing A Great College Admission Essay

4 Steps For Writing A Great College Admission Essay These questions are little more than invitations for stock answers delivered in stock formats . Even in such a badly broken system, however, there is one component that does not need to be fixed. I am talking about the dread personal essay, which is too easy to falsify, and mostly worthless even when it hasn’t been faked. Although they changed their major from RTF to Journalism after arriving on campus, they secured a recent, highly prestigious internship at the CBS Morning Show in Manhattan. Thousands will be applying to the same colleges as you are. Let us enhance your essay so that it stands out from the crowd. The essay prompts on the Common App are predictable and mundane. The options in allowed applicants to describe their accomplishments, the obstacles they’d encountered in life, or the problems they would like to solve. I took several business-related classes in high school and college. My goal has always been to transfer to UT and earn a degree in finance. My decision to attend Collin stemmed from my mediocre grades in high school â€" I wanted a fresh start at a college close to home. They discuss the context and buyer’s remorse about attending an expensive private university, but they don’t dwell on it. Due to my family’s dire financial situation, I initially wanted to pursue a degree in business and finance solely to be more financially secure and allow me the opportunity to raise my own family someday. If you’re an international applicant, Native American, or otherwise non-traditional student, don’t try to “Americanize” or “mainstream” your application. The goal is to stand out and not appear to be like all the other applicants. Always think about what information you want colleges to know and use when evaluating your application. Don’t share anything that doesn’t make you sound good, unless you absolutely have to and you can turn it around to show the positive. Though I was accepted at a few well-ranked Texas public universities, I had higher aspirations. I felt that I could improve my grade point average while completing prerequisite courses transferable anywhere. I lived at home allowing me to save money, help my family, and continue working at my job. It seems to me that to be a Longhorn means to be a leader. They are also involved with Texas Student Television, so there’s no doubt UT extending this student an offer pays dividends for the university. Like the previous example, this straightforward essay addresses all of the things that UT reviewers are looking for. Counselor and teacher recommendations are another way colleges and universities get to know you. The teachers who you ask to write on your behalf should be able to highlight your curiosity, engagement and academic ability, whether that is in a traditional classroom or a virtual learning setting. Colleges want to know how you work in groups, the role you play in class discussion and the amount of effort that you demonstrate in challenging yourself with new concepts. Make sure you and someone who hasn't read the essay before give it a final read for spelling and grammar mistakes before you submit it. For help with your college essay or college guidance, visit or call . You can write conversationally, but the grammar and spelling still need to be correct. And don’t solely rely on your computer’s spell-checker. Leverage your native culture, traditions, and experiences. Even with the obligation, they may well drop it and go on to the next applicant. After you have written your essay, be sure to share it with friends, family, and teachers for feedback.