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1. Don't "recycle" essays
An essay that sounds like it has been
used before will blend with everyone else's.
2.
Captivate your audience Make your essay engaging and memorable.
Include a quick, enticing intro; give a reason to finish reading it.
3.
Be yourself Choose a topic that is meaningful to
you. Use your own voice. Show off a side of yourself that your
application does not; don't simply write what you think an admissions
office wants to hear.
4.
Accentuate the positive When writing a personal experience,
emphasize how the experience changed you for the better.
5.
Write in the active voice Doing so will make for a clearer, more
concise essay.
6.
Don't overextend Your essay isn't a term paper. Stay
focused on your topic.
7.
Ask people for input Whether it's a teacher, counselor,
friend or parent, ask someone you respect for some candid feedback. Is
it confusing? Boring?
8.
Leave time for rewriting Look for weak or dull spots and
spelling and grammatical errors. Never let your first draft be your
final draft.
9.
Revise, reword Improve on your first draft through
various rewrites. Read the essay aloud to find awkward sentences or
problems.
10.
Pursue perfection Have someone else look it over.
Quadruple-check the spelling. Type your essay carefully. |
