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- Jot down the essay questions from all of your applications on 3X5
cards. Wherever possible, group them by topic.
- Spend some time "thinking" about the questions.
- As you think or talk to friends, jot your ideas for each topic on
the 3X5 cards.
- Have a clear sense of the college's philosophy or mission before
you begin.
- Be sure that you clearly understand the direction for each essay.
- Don't fall into the trap of using the same essay for every college
application unless it happens to address every topic. However, feel free to adapt your
basic essay to fit each college's specific question.
- Discuss your topic with someone.
- Decide on the kind of approach that is right for you. An essay
doesn't have to be eccentric or overly adventurous.
- Write a rough draft. Set it aside for at least two days. Then pick
it up again and see how you respond when you read it. Rewrite it if necessary.
- You
rewrite your rough draft.
- Don't fall into the trap of rambling. REMEMBER: It is
usually the first two paragraphs that make or break an essay. Say what you have to say and
conclude!
- Type your essay unless the college specifically asks for a
handwritten version.
- Proofread more than once. Get someone else to proofread your paper
also.
- If your essay is on a separate page, be sure to put your name
and social security number on the top of each page and sign
your name at the bottom of the essay.
- Don't give a shopping list of events -- this is dull!!
- Accent the positive rather than the negative!
- Keep your audience in mind!
- ALLOW YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME!!
PITFALLS TO AVOID IN WRITING A COLLEGE OR SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY:
- DON'T give your life story.
- DON'T
rehash experiences in high school.
Example: "I have been in the National Honor
Society, the Speech Club, the Drama Club, the Basketball team," etc... or "I
have been President of the National Honor Society, Vice-President of the Speech
Club," etc. Selection committees are looking for experiences in your life which have
been meaningful and unique. If you have been President of the National Honor Society, how
have you used it? What changes have occurred - or have you failed at it? Expressing a
failure is not detrimental to being selected, or simply stating that you have worked at
the YMCA camp for three years is not unusual...instead, tell how you are a different
person because of your work experience.
- Avoid getting on a "Soap-Box".
- Instead, cover one side…have a logical number of
arguments...state your ground.
- DON'T
tell the university about themselves.
Example: I really want to go to Denison because it
offers...and then copy directly from the college catalog or summarize statements from the
catalog.
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