Jason Fong Period 5 10/20/14 Millions of college applications are sent to various admissions offices worldwide and only a small percent of those submissions can pass through the gates to college. After all the grade-point averages, test scores and eligibility guidelines are processed, the one shining stone within the piles of applications is the college essay. It is an expression of one’s identity that can’t be portrayed through any other part of the application, “the one opportunity for students to exercise control and provide a glimpse of how they think and write, and to convey what is important to them” (Altschuler 1). A well-written essay “catches the applicant in the act of thinking; it establishes and maintains a distinctive voice, personality and perspective” (Altschuler 2). However, many students struggle to convey themselves through rich writing. In order to develop a well written essay, the student must: be themselves, write thoughtfully and clearly, and concentrate on a topic of true significance.
Essays must reflect the writer’s true voice. “If [they] are funny, write a funny essay; if [they] are serious, write a serious essay. Don't start reinventing [an identity] with the essay” (Carleton 1). Colleges are accepting true individuals, not their fake personas. They “have learned to look for authenticity, not profundity” (Altschuler 4). Admissions officers evaluate who a person is, and what they plan on doing for the future. In order to stay true to oneself, students should write about their own personal world and their own personal experiences. “Resist the temptation to let others speak for you” (Altschuler 3). Use personal detail, be concise, use active voice verbs and do not repeat what is listed on other parts of the application.
It is very important to display thoughtful writing and to develop ideas clearly throughout the essay. Many essays can become off topic and are led astray from the main topic that should be developed. Throughout College Essay Sample 4: My little brother, the writer clearly develops his ideas and motivations that characterize himself as a person as well as his reasons to attend college. He analyzes his experience with his brother and expresses it uniquely throughout the essay, while constantly making indirect connections between each experience with his main idea. The reader must be able to follow the flow of the essay and its transitions. The essay is structured well and it becomes enjoyable to read.
The essay’s main idea should reflect the writer’s values and express one positive characteristic that the college can identify within the applicant. College admissions officers are looking for individuals and want to know how they think. “Don’t be afraid to reveal yourself in your writing” (Carleton 1). When people write about topics that do not pertain to themselves, their values cannot be shown and the essay becomes the voice of so many other people who address the same topic.
Period 5
10/20/14
Millions of college applications are sent to various admissions offices worldwide and only a small percent of those submissions can pass through the gates to college. After all the grade-point averages, test scores and eligibility guidelines are processed, the one shining stone within the piles of applications is the college essay. It is an expression of one’s identity that can’t be portrayed through any other part of the application, “the one opportunity for students to exercise control and provide a glimpse of how they think and write, and to convey what is important to them” (Altschuler 1). A well-written essay “catches the applicant in the act of thinking; it establishes and maintains a distinctive voice, personality and perspective” (Altschuler 2). However, many students struggle to convey themselves through rich writing. In order to develop a well written essay, the student must: be themselves, write thoughtfully and clearly, and concentrate on a topic of true significance.
Essays must reflect the writer’s true voice. “If [they] are funny, write a funny essay; if [they] are serious, write a serious essay. Don't start reinventing [an identity] with the essay” (Carleton 1). Colleges are accepting true individuals, not their fake personas. They “have learned to look for authenticity, not profundity” (Altschuler 4). Admissions officers evaluate who a person is, and what they plan on doing for the future. In order to stay true to oneself, students should write about their own personal world and their own personal experiences. “Resist the temptation to let others speak for you” (Altschuler 3). Use personal detail, be concise, use active voice verbs and do not repeat what is listed on other parts of the application.
It is very important to display thoughtful writing and to develop ideas clearly throughout the essay. Many essays can become off topic and are led astray from the main topic that should be developed. Throughout College Essay Sample 4: My little brother, the writer clearly develops his ideas and motivations that characterize himself as a person as well as his reasons to attend college. He analyzes his experience with his brother and expresses it uniquely throughout the essay, while constantly making indirect connections between each experience with his main idea. The reader must be able to follow the flow of the essay and its transitions. The essay is structured well and it becomes enjoyable to read.
The essay’s main idea should reflect the writer’s values and express one positive characteristic that the college can identify within the applicant. College admissions officers are looking for individuals and want to know how they think. “Don’t be afraid to reveal yourself in your writing” (Carleton 1). When people write about topics that do not pertain to themselves, their values cannot be shown and the essay becomes the voice of so many other people who address the same topic.