Admission Essay
Essays are used to learn more about your reasons for applying to the course, university or company and your ability to benefit from and contribute to it. Your answers will let you state your case more fully than other sections of the application, and provide the evaluator with better insight about you and how you differ from the other applicants. In marginal cases, the essays are used to decide whether an applicant will be selected. The purpose of the admissions essay is to convey a sense of your unique character to the admissions committee. The essay also demonstrates your writing skills as well as your ability to organize your thoughts coherently.
Starting your essay
The most common topic–particularly if only one essay is required–is the first, “tell us about youself.” Since this kind of essay has no specific focus, applicants sometimes have trouble deciding which part of their lives to write about.
It is advised to emphasize what you have learned from the experience, and how coping with adversity has strengthened you as an individual. Like what events, activities or even achievements have contributed to your own self development or any situation which have taught you to be responsible and strong.
Tie yourself to the college: Why are you interested in attending and what can the institution do for you? Be specific. Go beyond “XYZ College will best allow me to realize my academic potential.
Read the directions carefully and follow them to the letter. In other words, if the essay is supposed to be 500 words or less, don’t submit 1000 words.
Consider the unique features of the institution, e.g., a liberal arts college will be impressed with the variety of academic and personal interests you might have, while an art institute would be most interested in your creative abilities.
Be positive, upbeat and avoid the negatives, e.g. I am applying to your school because I won’t be required to take physical education or a foreign language.
Emphasize what you have learned, e.g. provide more than a narration when recounting an experience.
Write about something you know, something only you could write.
Make certain you understand the question or the topic. Your essay should answer the question or speak directly to the given topic.
List all ideas. Be creative. Brainstorm without censoring.
Sort through ideas and prioritize. You cannot tell them everything, Be selective.
Choose information and ideas which are not reflected in other parts of your application. This is your chance to supplement your application with information you want them to know.
Be persuasive in showing the reader you are deserving of admission. Remember your audience.
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