Many college essays, including the essay for The Common Application, limit you to 500 words.
It can be tough to write an interesting, creative essay and keep it short, but if you know a few simple tips you can deliver an essay that will impress.
Here are 5 Ways to Succeed with the 500 Word Limit:
1. Think Small Instead of Big. Don’t try to tackle a big topic like world peace or what you did for your entire summer vacation. Choose a shorter span of time and a topic that’s not too broad.
2. Write About a Moment. A moment is a brief period of time when you learned something meaningful to you. Moments can make powerful essays.
Here’s an Example of a Moment:
A student working in a store noticed that a customer had dropped some change. It wasn’t a lot and he almost didn’t stop to pick it up, but then he did. The customer was extremely grateful and told him she was counting on that money. The student wrote about how he’d never forget that something insignificant to him could make such a big difference to someone else.
3.Begin in the Middle of Your Story, Where the Action or Conflict Starts. This technique will not only save you words but it’s also a great way to draw the reader into your story. Here are two examples of introductions that were changed to start with action:
Example #1:
Before: “I spent my summer vacation interning in the emergency room of a hospital.” Changed: “The bloody gurney wheeled past me. I closed my eyes and prayed for the strength not to pass out.
Example #2: Before: “I always wanted to climb a mountain, so that’s what I decided to do my freshman year.” Changed: “Hurry up!” my dad yelled, as I scrambled to collect myself for another day of mountain climbing.
4. Use Adjectives and Adverbs Wisely. If your essay is too long try to edit out some of your adjectives and adverbs. Here are two examples of edits and the reasons behind them:
Example #1: Before: As Andrew walked his large legs made heavy, thumping sounds. He turned to stare at the dawning sunrise. Changed: As Andrew walked his legs made heavy, thumping sounds. He turned to stare at the sunrise. Why the Change? 1. Size adjectives, like “large,” are often too general. “Heavy” and “thumping” are specific and convey the idea of being large. 2. “Sunrise” is dawn. Look for these kinds of redundancies.
Example #2: Before: “Hewalked convincingly.” After: “He strode.” Why the Change? One word conveys the same idea.
5.Edit Your Essay. Here are 4 ways to eliminate words:
Eliminate any details or explanations that don’t move you toward your conclusion.
Don’t repeat your ideas.
Pare down adjectives and adverbs (see tip #4).
Ask someone else to read you essay. Sometimes, as writers, we get attached to our material and it becomes difficult to know what to cut. Ask one or more people who know you to give you suggestions.
Can you submit an essay that’s over the limit? Check with the admissions office at the college(s). They’ll be able to guide you.
Sharon Epstein is owner of First Impressions College Consulting, and is the recipient of a Writers Guild Award and two Emmy nominations for her work in television. I work with students everywhere: in-person, over the phone, and by computer. Connect with me on Google+, Twitter and Pinterest:
The 2012-2013 Common Application won’t formally launch until August 1, but the Common Application essay prompts are already out.
Don’t forget, if prompts 1-5 don’t interest you, you can always write on #6: topic of your choice.
Here are the 2012 Common Application prompts:
Please write an essay of 250 – 500 words on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below:
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that .illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
Topic of your choice.
Tip:
Having trouble knowing where to start? Write down anything that immediately comes to mind. Ask yourself what experiences in your life have been important to you, and what you’ve learned from them. Mull your ideas over, then write a little bit on the one or two topics that interest you. You’ll be well on your way to writing your college application essay (and beat the friends who’ve waiting until fall).
..Sharon Epstein is owner of First Impressions College Consulting
Need help? I work with students everywhere: in-person, over the phone, and by computer. Visit my website for more info.
Connect with me on Google+, Twitter and Pinterest:
Welcome to an Ongoing Series on College Admissions
If you’re starting the college admissions process you’ve probably discovered that it’s not always easy to find answers to your college admissions questions. That’s why I created a place where you can hear directly from college admission counselors about applying to college, interviewing for college, writing the college application essay and financial aid.
I developed these questions with help from families who’ve recently been through the college application process. Because each school answers the same questions you’ll be able to compare information with other schools.
I hope you find this a valuable resource for college admissions information. Who knows? You might even find yourself considering options you hadn’t thought of before.
With the introduction out of the way, let’s find out about the University of Connecticut.
Founded in 1881 and set in the beautiful unspoiled forests of the northeast, the University of Connecticut is located in Storrs. There are 5 regional campuses: Avery Point, Greater Hartford, Stamford, Torrington, and Waterbury.
UConn is one of the premier national public universities in the country, recently ranking in the Top 20 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report. It offers world-class faculty and academics, as well as vibrant activities and NCAA Athletics, including recent national championships in Men’s and Women’s Basketball.
UConn students come from diverse backgrounds: More than a quarter of students represent ethnic minorities, and the student body is selected from countries and cultures around the globe. The school’s proximity to Boston and New York City affords students easy access to internships or simply a weekend escape.
This post focuses on UConn’s main campus at Storrs. Look for information on the regional campuses in a later post.
Facts about UConn/Storrs Campus
Undergraduate enrollment: 17,815 (2011)
Entering freshmen enrollment: 3,327 (2011)
Connecticut residents: 75% of undergrads
Undergraduate costs 2012-13: In State: $22,382 (Tuition & Fees: $11,242; Room & Board: $11,140) Out of State: $40,214 (Tuition & Fees: $29,074; Room & Board: $11,140)
Average SAT score: 1216
Students receiving financial aid: Over 75 percent
Athletics: NCAA Division I
ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS
Nathan Fuerst, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, answered the following questions during a recent interview:
Q: What percentage of applicants does UConn admit?
A: Approximately 45% of applicants are successful in gaining admission to UConn’s Storrs campus.
Applying to UConn
Q: Does applying early decision/action improve a student’s chances for admission?
A: For the Fall 2013 term, UConn will no longer facilitate an early action/decision program.
Q: How important are extracurricular activities in admissions decisions?
A: Involvement beyond academics is important and is considered. We encourage students to focus on investing themselves heavily in a limited number of activities and demonstrate the impact from their activity on both the community as well as their development as young adults.
Q: How important is taking advanced, accelerated, or honors courses?
A: It’s important that students take the appropriate opportunities to challenge themselves academically. Therefore, we do consider advanced and honors courses. However, it’s just as important for students to remain in course levels that are appropriate for their level of skill and aptitude for the particular subject.
Q: Which teachers should write a recommendation?
A: Recommendations that make the most impact come across as authentic and personal. Students should approach teachers with whom they have strong relationships. Teachers who contribute beyond just academic performance provide the most revealing and helpful information in the recommendation letters.
Q: Do you look for what is not said in a recommendation?
A: We avoid drawing conclusions or speculating on what may or may not be omitted from a recommendation. However, it is often apparent when there is inconsistency in message between the recommendations that we receive.
Q: Is the quality of an applicant’s high school taken into consideration?
A: The application review is a holistic one that allows us to take any and all factors in to consideration. Strength of school is something that could be considered in the context of how the student has performed given the educational opportunities and challenges that are available within a particular school.
Q: What is the relative importance of grades versus board scores?
A: Both factors are critical pieces in our review of applicants for admission for different reasons. Therefore, it is difficult to cast one against the other. Grades provide great insight on a student’s capacity for academic success, but using board scores remains the only reliable method of comparing applicant performance that transcends an individual school.
Interviewing
Q: Does UConn offer interviews with admissions counselors?
A: Given the size of our applicant pool and staff, we are unable to offer interviews.
Essay Writing
Q: What qualities do you look for in a well-written essay?
A: We challenge students to write on a unique subject that has either defined who they are as a person or demonstrates the impact of their contributions through their activity in their environment.
Q: Is there a type of essay you would recommend against?
A: Applicants should considertheir subject matter more globally and how it sets them apart from other students in the applicant pool. For example, when writing on a life event, consider what makes this a unique life event compared to other applicants.
Q: Can an essay make or break an admission?
A: Yes. I recall an applicant whose subject and style was so profound and unique that I felt honored to offer such a talented author admission. Another example included a student who wrote about community contributions that had incredible global impact. The subject of this essay was driven by extremely hard work that impacted the lives of students in villages in India and Africa. It was very inspiring!
Q: Should a student discuss or explain a poor grade or marking period(s)?
A: When a grade is out of character, it may justify the student addressing this. However, we encourage students to use their personal statements as an opportunity to present their unique qualities, contributions and achievements. A single grade should not be made the focus of an application.
Q: Where do you stand on the 500 word limit on the Common Application’s personal statement? Can a student go over the Common Application’s 500 word limit?
A: We do have some amount of flexibility. We want students to express themselves as best they can. If that means that they go a few words over — about 100 — that’s okay. But we also want the student to be cognizant of the Common Application’s 500 word limit because some students can carry on for a while. I’d say to students write your college application essay as briefly and succinctly as you can, but don’t feel like you need to leave out any major pieces, either.
Financial Aid at UConn
Q: How has the economic climate affected the admissions process and the availability of financial aid at UConn?
A: This year (2012) seems to be an improvement over the past several years. When the economy struggles, it forces families to take a closer look at finances and seriously consider their educational options based on cost of attendance. Over the past several years, there has been an increase in the number of students submitting the FAFSA to us. UConn has a priority of providing as much financial assistance as possible to students who demonstrate financial need.
Q: What part of the admissions process is most misunderstood?
A: I think the financial piece of going to college is most misunderstood, as it can vary dramatically from one institution to the next. Eligibility for scholarships varies widely from school to school. Different schools have different policies, different requirements and different ways to apply, and that can make the scholarship process difficult to understand. If students or families need help understanding the scholarship opportunities at UConn, they should visit our undergraduate admissions page, student financial aid web page, or contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Services at (860) 486-2819.
Connect with UConn
Q: How can people connect with UConn?
A: Students can connect with us via Facebook and our YouTube channel. We also have a Twitter account and student bloggers. Students who connect with UConn via these channels get regular updates on deadlines as well as updates on relevant activity at UConn.
Finally…
Q: Please ask and answer a question that you’d like students and families to know about UConn. Question: What is the retention rate of first year students returning in their second year?
A: Ninety-three percent of first year students and 92% of students of color return for their sophomore year, exceeding the national average of 72.9%.
To Contact the University of Connecticut:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3088
Storrs, CT 06269-3088
Phone: (860) 486-3137
www.admissions.uconn.edu
..Sharon Epstein is owner of First Impressions College Consulting
Need help? I work with students everywhere: in-person, over the phone, and by computer. Visit my website for more info.
Connect with me on Google+, Twitter and Pinterest:
It’s that time of year again! I’m going to be speaking at 7pm April 25 at the Darien Library, in Darien, Connecticut, with my friend and colleague Matthew Dempsey, Assistant Director of Admission at Fairfield University on The ABC’s of Writing a Great College Application Essay.
Why this Program is GREAT:
It’s from two important points of view. I’m going to talk about how to write a great college application essay, and Matthew will talk about what admission committees look for when they read those essays.
What You’ll Learn: I’ll give you an overview of the college essay writing process, including what colleges look for, good and bad, topic choice, and how to make every essay unique. Then Matthew will discuss what kind of essays work and don’t work, and how essays are viewed in the context of the entire application.
Who Should Come:High school students and their families. Freshman and sophomores are welcome, too. It’s never too early to begin to understand what this application business is all about!
Put it on your calendar and learn about writing a great college application essay! See you at the Darien Library on April 25.
..Sharon Epstein is owner of First Impressions College Consulting
Need help? I work with students everywhere: in-person, over the phone, and by computer. Visit my website for more info.
Your teachers may have told you not to use the word “I” when you’re writing a paper. It may have been drummed into you for years. That’s because most high school papers are not about you; they’re about defining a topic, discussing it, and convincing the reader that you’ve made your point. Not much room for “I.”
Your college application essay is all about “I.” Or rather – you. You are what the college admissions officers want to know about. Not 500 words about how your mom cooked pancakes on Christmas Day or the time you went bowling with your dad and how bad he was. They want to know about YOU.
They want to see how you’ve grown, and what you’ve learned. Yes, you might write about the time you went bowling with your dad. But that essay needs to be about YOU. What did you learn that day?
So you have to use the word “I.” Or “me.” Don’t be afraid: “I” will tell you a lot. “I” will give you the direction to write a great college application essay.
Here’s why:
1. You need to be able to summarize the point of your essay in one sentence using “I” or “me.” For instance, “It’s taken me a long time to be comfortable with my multi-cultural roots, but now I celebrate each culture because I know they all belong to me. (Were you counting? That’s two “I’s” and 2 “me’s.”)
2. A good essay is about a personal journey. You should be able to fill in this sentence: I learned _________.
3. A good essay represents you in a positive way. You should be able to fill in this sentence: I want the college admissions reader to know that I am _________. (Thoughtful? Mature? Sensitive? Compassionate?)
4. A good essay is one that only you can write; it’s specific to you and your experiences. When you write your essay, you need to use specific examples from your life. You’re going to need some “I’s.”
Caution: Too many “I’s” are a bad thing. You don’t want to be writing “I”, “I”, “I” in every sentence. Boring, not to mention bad writing. Change it up a little. Add some details. Describe a few things. Include some dialogue or a quote. In other words, make your college application as interesting as you can.
It can be tough deciding on a topic for your college application essay. Many students just can’t think of an idea.
That’s why, in a recent post, I suggested 3 questions to ask yourself if you’re having trouble choosing a topic for your college application essay:
1. Is there a time in my life I’ve taken a risk?
2. Is there a time I’ve turned a failure into a success?
3. Has there been a difficult choice I’ve had to make, but I’m glad I made it?
Here’s another way to choose a topic for your college application essay:
Do this: Close your eyes and think of 2 or 3 moments in your life that stand out. Don’t think too hard! What comes to mind first? Is it a success? A failure? An embarrassment? An opportunity? Maybe it’s a moment spent with a family member, friend, or even someone you briefly met and never saw again. Be honest with yourself. Don’t toss a memory under the rug because it’s painful or embarrassing. Write it down.
Now: Ask yourself why that memory stands out. Did you learn anything from it? Did it change you in any way? Did it influence your actions or thoughts, the choices you later made, or how you see the world somehow?
Sometimes first thoughts are best thoughts. Take the time to figure out why these memories have made an impact on you. They might just make a great college application essay.
Looking for ideas for your college application essay? Look behind you.
Why? Because life moves forward. We don’t stop. What gets our attention is what demands the most of us at any moment — often the loudest, the biggest, the most entertaining, or the next most important thing we have to do.
What’s not demanding your attention? Pay attention to that. See what you find.
Here’s an example: I was traveling in rural China when our group stopped to visit a preschool. The children at the school often had visitors, and when they saw us they ran toward us, hoping we’d brought toys or candy. As they held up their hands for colorful balloons I took out my camera, knowing this would make a great picture. Then I turned around. Peeking out from behind a tree was a little girl, holding a small washcloth in her hands. Her eyes were focused on her friends. This was the picture I took. A shy little girl, protected by her tree. Her eyes told a much better story.
When I say “look behind you” I’m saying “pay attention.” Look around and see not only the things that demand your attention, but also the things that don’t. You will find ideas in those moments. You’ll find details. You might just find the makings of a memorable college application essay.
This is the story of a young man who made a mistake in one sentence of his college application essay and it cost him admittance to Amherst.
Here’s how it goes:
Recently an NPR reporter went behind the scenes at Amherst College in Massachusetts to see how college admissions decisions are made. The admissions committee was having one of their final meetings; they’d narrowed it down to the top 15 percent of applicants and now, one by one, they were presenting each student’s grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
The Essay is Discussed
The committee turned to the application of the young man in question. His college application essay caught the attention of a dean, and not in a good way. She was troubled by a sentence that read ”I rarely get truly fascinated by a subject.” The student went on to say that music was his exception. No one was pleased.
“That was flabbergasting,” commented one of the admissions readers.
“Intellectual passion is a must,” said the Dean of Admissions. Everyone agreed. The student was not admitted.
What Went Wrong?
The student clearly intended to write about his passion for music. So why did the college admissions committee care more about what he said first: “I rarely get truly fascinated by a subject”?
The Student Violated 2 Major Rules:
1. Know Your Reader
Amherst is a small, prestigious liberal arts college. If you go to their website and read the school’s philosophy it’s all about intellectual curiosity. Did this student visit Amherst’s website? I don’t know. But when he said he wasn’t fascinated by anything other than music he certainly seemed not to understand.
Remember you’re not writing your college application essay for you — you’re writing it for college admissions readers to read and like. You want them to finish your essay and want you to go to their school. You have to figure out what makes you a good fit and how you’re going to convey that.
One way to begin is to visit the school’s website. You can get a lot of information from a website. What’s their educational philosophy? What kind of students do they want to attract? Then you can begin to decide how to show them you’re that kind of person.
2. Don’t Cast Yourself in a Negative Light
I’m sure this student had no idea he was saying anything negative about himself. After all, he was writing about his love of music. But by saying “I rarely get truly fascinated by a subject” he casts himself in a negative light. He’s telling the college admissions reader “I really don’t care much about stuff, except I like music.”
One other thing I want to point out is his use of the present tense: “I rarely get truly fascinated by a subject” By writing in the present tense he’s talking about now. It’s not something that used to be — he’s not interested now.
What if the sentence were changed slightly? What if this college application essay began, “I started getting fascinated by new ideas when I fell in love with music”? Doesn’t that sound more positive? Instead of the word “rarely” I used the word “started” — something has begun. A transformation. A journey. That might get the attention of the Amherst admissions committee. I’m not saying it would have been right for this student, but you can see the difference it makes. This sentence is now about someone who loves the idea of learning, and is completely positive.
You always want to showcase yourself in a positive light. That’s not to say you shouldn’t write about a personal journey or a learning experience; we all make mistakes or come to important realizations in our lives — that can make a powerful essay. But you don’t want to give a negative impression. Not a smart way to portray yourself.
Remember:
Know your reader
Don’t cast yourself in a negative light
If you’re not sure, have someone read your essays. Find someone who understands what colleges are looking for, and where the pitfalls lie, and ask them for constructive criticism. Make sure to give yourself time to make adjustments.
Ultimately, the admissions process is not an exact science. But college admissions committees don’t take the process lightly; they struggle with knowing they hold each student’s future in their hands.
Make sure you hold as much of your future in your own hands as you can. Write a great essay.
Planning to visit colleges during spring break? You’re not alone. March is the time many high school juniors (and some sophomores) start their college tours.
On these visits you’ll be looking for answers to questions like “Is this school for me?” and “Will I be happy here?” But let me give you another question to ask yourself: “What can I learn from this visit that will help me write a great college application essay?”
Here are 3 ways to make college visits work for your college application essays:
1. Make contacts
Making contacts is great for two reasons: 1. You can learn a lot from the people you talk to, and 2. You can get in touch later if you have more questions.
There are several ways to make contacts:
Schedule an interview for the day you’re on campus. If the school doesn’t offer interviews see if you can get an interview with a professor in a field of study that interests you. Get your contact’s name (correctly spelled) and email, and send him or her a thank-you. That way if you have more questions you can follow up knowing you’ve already made a good impression.
Are you an athlete? See if you can meet a coach or a student athlete. Same goes for the thank-you note.
Chat with your tour guide when you go on the tour. At the end ask for his or her name and email and ask if you can write if you have more questions.
2. Notice details
Details are important in college application essays. They make your essays personal and separate you from students writing essays so generic that 1,000 others could have written the same one.
When you visit each college notice what makes an impression on you. It can be anything from how you feel walking on campus to the kind of students you meet. The details don’t matter, as long as they matter to you. Do you see a dorm you might want to live in? Find out its name. Is your tour guide a member of the student council and you think you’d like to join? Ask what her experiences have been.
The more details you collect now the more information you’ll have for your essay later.
3. Write it down:
Take a pad with you and write it down. Let me say it again: write it down. At the end of the day your note pad should have the names and emails of your contacts, and a detailed list of what you saw and liked, and why.
Why go through the trouble? Let me give you an example: A student of mine had to write a short essay about why he wanted to go to college X. In his first draft he wrote that he went on the tour and liked the campus and dorms. It was too generic, so I asked him to find an alum or someone on campus he could talk to. He surprised me by saying that he’d hit it off with his campus tour guide and had gotten his email. So he emailed him with some questions about campus life and extra-curricular activities, and asked him more about the dorm he’d liked. When he re-wrote his essay it was full of detail. He also made sure to mention he had corresponded with his tour guide — an impressive fact that was not going be lost on the school.
Prep for your college application essays. Use your college visits as opportunities to make contacts and gather details. The end result will be essays that are detailed, personal, and well worth the effort.
When I was speaking last week at the Mark Twain Library in Redding along with Matthew Dempsey from Fairfield University, we both addressed the question of who should read a student’s college application essay before it’s submitted.
Here are our suggestions:
Ask more than one teacher, preferably an English teacher, to read your essay. Why more than one? Because different people see different things. One teacher might flag your grammar and sentence structure while another might focus more on your story telling and organization.
Try to find someone who knows what’s expected by a college application essay. College application essays are different beasts. Unlike the usual high school essay, this essay has to reflect you — your interests, your insight, and what makes you unique.
Parents can be good readers, too. Parents may not be your most objective audience (which is why teachers are important), but they know you, and can tell if there’s enough “you” in your essay.
Hire a college essay coach when you need one.
College coaches know what colleges expect.
College coaches can see the weak points in an essay and provide detailed suggestions on how to strengthen them. They have many tools and teaching techniques at their fingertips.
College coaches can relieve family tension. They’ll handle time management and deadlines, so parents don’t have to worry (or squabble with their teens).
Find people you trust to read your college application essay. It’s an important part of the writing process.
Many college essays, including the essay for The Common Application, limit you to 500 words.
Sharon Epstein is owner of First Impressions College Consulting, and is the recipient of a Writers Guild Award and two Emmy nominations for her work in television. I work with students everywhere: in-person, over the phone, and by computer. Connect with me on Google+, Twitter and Pinterest:
Applying To College 