The Admissions Essay
Read through college applications to see which colleges have this requirement.
The essay allows the admissions committee to gain a clearer picture of you and to see how you would complement the incoming class. Answer the essay to the best of your ability. Pay careful attention to the directions regarding length, style, and format. English, spelling, grammar, syntax, and usage count! Think carefully about what you want to say and how you will say it.
You may want to ask others to review your essay so they can comment and provide feedback. Take the time to write several drafts before submitting the completed essay.
Each college may prompt students to write about different topics. Below is a sampling of what colleges and universities have frequently asked applicants to write about:
- A personal statement that gives the admissions committee a sense of you as an individual
- A significant interest or experience that has special meaning for you
- How you have grown and developed
- Why you have selected this college
- Why you have chosen a particular career, profession or major
- An important issue of personal, local or national concern
- A prominent person – living, deceased or fictional – who you would like to interview and explain why
- A person who had a significant influence on you and explain why
- Write a speech for deliver before a group, or write an article or editorial for a publication about a particular topic
- A book that has special significance for you