College Essay

College Essay You should not attempt to include your entire biography. Stick to your chosen topic or theme and be concise. After all â€" a good writer knows when to edit him/herself. You may have an amazing story to tell for your college application essay, but your writing is going to fall flat if it doesn't use an engaging and effective style. In fact, more than one professional points out that students should not have already reached their writing potential before entering college. I know parents who believe kids who can’t sit down and write essays themselves aren’t ready for four-year college. Jager-Hyman said there are some who believe a 17-year-old need only “put one foot in front of the other” and apply himself to complete this task. But in reality, many otherwise-capable teens have no clue where to start. Heathman believes the job of the essay coach is to help students themselves find the right way to tell their story. No one would expect a student to dash off a perfect essay. When we begin evaluating your application, everything can seem pretty standard - grades, test scores, activities, lists of AP classes. Yes, your letters of recommendation tell us about you, but they’re written from someone else’s perspective. They don’t have time to devote an hour to your 30 page masterpiece. Remember, these essays are simply meant to be a snapshot of you. Thus, the college essay is an invaluable component of your application because you're able to speak to us directly. You have the space tell us what you’re thinking about and how you’re thinking about it. Writing the College Essay can be one of the most intimidating aspects of the college application process. Here are some college application essay dos and don’ts for students to keep in mind as they complete their applications this fall. Conversely, you also don’t want to come across as a whiner or entitled. That’s not the kind of individual students, alums or administrators want representing their schools. Even if a school does not assign a maximum word count, that doesn’t mean you should write with wild abandon. Admissions officers have to slog through thousands of essays. For your essay to truly shine, you need to pay attention to not justwhat you say, but also how you say it. These style tips can help you turn a bland and wordy admissions essay into an engaging narrative that improves your chances of being admitted. Jodi Then is the High School Counselor at Boston Green Academy. Before joining BGA, Ms. Then spent 15 years working at a non-profit organization that specialized in college access and financial aid. Like it or not, schools use your essay to gauge your personality and character. Therefore, you must carefully consider the language you use. It’s okay to be colorful but you want to make sure it doesn’t come across as inappropriate or immature. Additionally, some essays ask you to discuss a personal accomplishment. While it’s okay to show pride, you don’t want appear cocky or a braggart. She also worked as a consultant for the Boston Public Schools District and the Department of College Counseling. Ms. Then has presented her work for local, regional, and national organizations, including the National School Counselors Association and the National College Access Network . She holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Boston University and a master’s degree from Bridgewater State College in School Counseling. Applicants should realize that most admissions counselors are young and have a sense of what a teenage voice sounds like, Jager-Hyman says. If a college suspects an essay is not the student’s work, they don’t automatically throw him out of the applicant pool, says Krahnke, but a negative vibe is placed in the counselor’s head.