The time has come. You have passed all the tests and got great results. But there is still something left to do, and it is an admission essay. Easier said than done, you might say.
Indeed, writing a college admission essay can be rather difficult and stressful. What should I write about? What is expected of me? And tons of other questions. However, understanding the ins and outs of each step will help you write an amazing personal statement and get into the school of your choice.
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Admission Essay - Scary or Ordinary?
Also, you are not alone in this. Thousands of students do it too and succeed. So think of yourself in this way as well, because attitude is what makes a difference. Now, let's see the main requirements.
How to Write an Admission Essay?
The essay itself is usually 500 words. For some, it may seem too much, for others - too little. Nevertheless, it is all about quality, not quantity. Colleges often ask students to think about subjects they like or comment on why they are applying to their institution. But you can be asked to write about anything. Prompts may be simple or sophisticated, serious or silly.
First of all, you should understand that this essay is not a way to show yourself off. Rather, it is to share your experience and show your strengths. But remember that your strengths are not about your skills. This is not a resume. The application form already has the dry facts about you. There is no need to repeat them again.
If you have doubts about your writing skills, you can use the help of a professional essay writing service or ask for a piece of advice from someone who has already written it. Personal experience is the best teacher.
So keeping this in mind, let's look at the main steps of successful admission essay writing:
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Make Sure You Understand the Task
Read it carefully and maybe even several times. Better spend some time on this than to write something wrong. So be sure to take your time.
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Reflect On the Message You Want to Convey
What is it that you want to tell about yourself? Would it be some particular story? And if yes, why do you want to share it specifically? What does it say about you? It should make a reader see what you saw and feel what you felt.
Think of it as a therapist appointment. What story changed your life in some way? What made you the person you are today? Don't be afraid to share your thoughts. Nobody is going to judge you in any way.
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Create an Outline
You have already decided what to write about, and that is great! Now make it more structural and less chaotic. Remember the introduction, body, conclusion (IBC) frame.
Our thoughts are usually all over the place. The outline helps a lot to put them down on the paper in a logical way. So don't skip this step.
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Create a Draft
With the help of an outline, you got the structure. Now fill it in. Don't forget to mention important facts and omit less significant details. For example, you don't need to tell what color your friend's eyes were in the story.
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Proofread and Edit
After you are done with the draft, sleep on it. Read it again the next morning and make needed changes. Ask your friend, who has done it already, to look through it and share their opinion.
That's about it. Remember that simple works best. Many think that they have nothing to tell, no special events or situations. But that is not true. We all have a story because of our life experiences and the changes in our character that come with them.
Make It All About Yourself
Think carefully and don't just describe what happened to you. It is not only about the past, but about the person you are today. For the admission officer, it is important to understand you and see you behind your words.
You should always give your writing a personal touch. Injecting a lot of humor or informality into an admission essay can be a great way to show your personality. However, if this is not done properly, it could lose its effect. You should always look at your work from the point of view of the admission officer to make sure your tone is not inappropriate.
Your story needs to have that Aha! moment. Don't just write down the conclusion. The reader should already get it while reading your story.
Keep admission's officer wondering. What is happening next? Why did she/he do that? Open up and share your experience to the fullest!
An admission essay could be likened to a biographical movie. It would not be interesting if the director presented all the character changes on a silver platter. More fascinating is to discern that development by ourselves. Notice where and why the character started to smile more or to cry more. The same goes for your essay.
Don't make it obvious. Keep the intrigue and make the reader come to conclusions. Don't overdo it, though. Too much obscurity will not have a good effect.
To Sum Up
So, it is easier than it seems. And even a rather ordinary thing to go through. Just reflect carefully on what you want to say, make a gripping beginning, and share your life experience. Just do it!
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