STEP 2: Get Set

Colleges may request one essay or a combination of essays and short-answer themes to learn more about what kind of person you are and how well you can communicate your thoughts. Generally essays fall into four categories:

1. Tell us about yourself; this is the most common topic. Beware of making a chronological list of events because that is just dull reading. If you are going to write about a negative experience, for example, a death, divorce, illness, remember to also accentuate the positive. Emphasize what you learned from the experience, and how coping with adversity has strengthened you. Here’s a couple of ideas: describe an accomplishment that you had to struggle to achieve or alternatively describe ‘regular’ people who have motivated you or have made a really strong impression in your life - say how they made you the person you are now.
2. Tell us about an academic or extracurricular interest. Choose a school activity, a job, community service, travel. Choose your favorite book, play, sport, movie. Describe what it has added to your life but keep focused and specific. A broad area may be too extensive and therefore, too general.
3. Tell us why you want to come to our college; some schools ask for an essay about your choice of school or a particular career. Not only do they want to know about your educational direction, they also want to get an idea of how much you know about them, what research you’ve put into your choice process and how serious your commitment is to their school. Don’t try to flatter the person reading your essay, show a solid knowledge of the school and know your subject thoroughly. Be matter-of-fact and focused. Name names, course offerings, professors, and facilities. Make a connection between you and the college of your choice.
4. Show us the imaginative side of your personality; the college will use this creative outlet to evaluate you through your choice of topic: a national issue, a famous person, the contents of your purse, lunch with Renoir or dinner with Nietzsche. From this, the college may find out what you read, how imaginative you are and how thoughtful you are. Don’t forget that your essay needs substance. And don’t get your facts wrong. Don’t have lunch with Renoir and discuss his famous painting ‘Mona Lisa’ with him.

Vulgarity in your essay is definitely not a good idea and eccentricity can be dangerous. However, it is worth taking a calculated risk as admissions personnel don’t like ‘safe’ essays. Don’t try to write what you think they may want to hear, it will just sound insincere and unsubstantial.

The writing itself reflects your power of persuasion, organizational abilities, style, and mastery of standard written English. The essay is worth your serious attention so give it all you’ve got.

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