A great college essay goes a long way in making your college admissions application distinct. While writing one may be anxiety provoking, putting the process into perspective will help.
Look at the essay as an opportunity. It is your chance to present a compelling view of who you are and what you will contribute to the school of your choice. Breaking the task of writing your essay(s) into manageable, efficient steps will make it easier and bring great results! Here are a few tips:
1. Establish your goals. Before any big project, consider what you are trying to accomplish. The admissions essay is about illustrating the qualities that don’t necessarily come through in the rest of your admissions application. Think about what you want the admissions officers to know about you. Is it your determination? Your creativity and quirkiness? Your ingenuity? Make a list, and keep those attributes in mind when outlining your essay.
2. Stay focused. Don’t make the mistake of trying to write about everything interesting and notable you’ve ever done. Those reading your essay need to understand what you are saying and follow your theme without wandering down too many paths and hitting dead ends. You can avoid confusion by focusing on one thing that is interesting and important to you, and backing up that specific topic with a few examples.
3. Remember, it’s about YOU. Your writing skills are important, but schools are equally interested in character. Admissions officers look for students who have the potential to learn and grow as well as add something to the campus. Avoid listing your accomplishments – show a process of learning. A story or example you share should have a moment of revelation that illustrates how an experience transformed you, helped you become the college-ready student you are today.
4. Balance. Don’t just write what you think they want to hear. Write what you want them to know about you. Choose a story or experience that supports what you want to convey, one that is interesting and significant while staying consistent with your “answer” to the essay question or requirement.
5. Edit and proofread. Look for redundancy, confusion in your narrative, places that need tightening up or statements that require more explanation to illustrate your point. Most importantly, have others review it too! In addition to discovering spelling or grammatical errors, they can let you know if you addressed the essay question that was posed. Think of the essay as the college’s first impression of you; you want to avoid severely watering down, if not ruining, that impression by inadvertently including errors that could have been avoided simply by having other people read your essay and give you honest feedback.
Above all, relax. Think about writing the essay not just as writing, but as connecting with your interests and passions. If you do that, chances are, it will show you at your best.
If the Stevens admissions staff can be of any assistance during your application process, don’t hesitate to contact us at admissions@stevens.edu or 1-800-STEVENS. Be sure to let us know if you would like additional information about Stevens. To learn more about visiting Stevens and/or applying to Stevens, Click Here.