Pick an essay topic
Colleges may offer a
choice of essay topics. They could involve a discussion of you or your
opinions, why you are interested in their school, a general topic on a
newsworthy issue, etc. If the topic of the essay is left up to you, you
might think about what question you would like to be asked if you were
being interviewed, or write about a topic that you can relate to your
personal experience and knowledge.
The college essay is important because it accomplishes a number of purposes:
• It addresses why you think a school is a good fit for you.
• It shows how well you can organize and express your thoughts.
• It is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and supplement the
other information in your application.
• It shows if you are able to follow directions by answering the specific
essay topic given.
Prepare your essay
• Create an outline that addresses the specific essay topic. (Remember
to organize your thoughts!)
• Use your outline to prepare a first draft.
•
Be careful to fully explain your ideas, but don’t repeat the same point
multiple times. Include something of “yourself” in the essay. It could
be a personal thought, example, story, etc.
• Be sure to adhere to any rules indicated by the college involving
length, formatting, etc.
Edit/Proof
• Take a break before editing your draft.
• Correct any problems in grammar, punctuation, etc.
• If there is anything unnecessary: that is, it adds nothing to the essay
or veers off point, remove it.
• Read your essay out loud to find how it flows.
• Avoid including over-used expressions or slang.
• Don’t try to over-impress by using “big” or “complicated” words
unnecessarily. The essay should sound like you.
• Humor is good, but not too much.
• Look over the draft one more time: Is it clear? Does it flow from one
thought to the next? Is it focused and organized?
Have another person proof your essay
• Ask one or more people to proofread your essay.
• Ask for honest criticism.
• Ask people to be as specific as possible.
Finalize
• Consider what those who have proofread your essay have
suggested, but remember that you are the final judge
of what is appropriate for your essay.
• Make changes.
• Do one more proof.
• Keep a copy of the final essay in your records.
Adapted from: www.ucclermont.edu/documents_cms/TLC/Writing_An_Essay_Outline.ppt