4 Tips For Writing A Successful College Admission Essay

4 Tips For Writing A Successful College Admission Essay It’s acceptable to look at someone else’s essay as a sample and a creative tool. It is not OK to copy it or to excerpt anything without proper credit. And don’t even think about having someone else - parent, friend, tutor or writing service â€" create your essay for you. Here’s the conclusion of the Skyline College essay sample. Your intro tells your reader what to expect from your essay. Think of it as a brief roadmap that begins with an intriguing opening line, includes a quick summary of the topic and ideas you’ll present, and concludes with a thesis statement. By the end of the research and planning process, you’ll feel energized and ready to write about all this interesting stuff your research has uncovered. “The essay does not have to be about something huge, some life-changing event,” says Calvin Wise, director of recruitment at Johns Hopkins University. And pay close attention to your transitions from one section to the next. Transitions should give information, not just be links. Beware of words like “but” or “meanwhile” as transitions. The classic essay starts with an introductory statement that hooks the reader and continues with a strong topic sentence. It ends with a strong closing paragraph or summation. The body of the essay is where you make the sale that your thesis is true. Not even famous writers get it right the first time. Okay, maybe I’m overreacting â€" but I cannot for the life of me understand that award. “Most Original” always let me down, and as a result, I hated to be original in any context. In my hometown of New Haven, Connecticut, where normality was…well, the norm, I tried to be a typical student â€" absolutely, perfectly normal. I blended into crowds, the definition of typical. I became a person who refused to surprise people. This essay is going to convey who you are as a person, so you should start by jotting down ideas, examples and fragments that might form an essay. In your conclusion, you wrap everything up in a neat package. That’s what will make your story different from the next essay in the pile. Ask someone to help you proofread for spelling and grammar. Restate your thesis in a clear way without repeating it word for word. Leave your reader with a takeaway or something to think about. Big Future, run by the College Board, has sample essays and tips. Many colleges, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Connecticut post “essays that worked” going back several years. It is important to think deeply about the meaning of things in your life. Determine what about your experience is unique to you. Some of you are passionate about politics or social issues, but this is NOT the place to explore those beliefs. You want your essay to appeal to a broad range of readers, so picking one side or another of a controversial issue is not a good idea. Have a couple other people read the essay for typos and coherence. Try to imagine the impression the reader will have of you. You shouldn’t sit down and try to write the essay straight away. And be you follow the essay guidelines as far as word count and topic are concerned. The college wants to know if you can follow directions and how creative you can be within set limitations.