The Best Tips for a Great College Application Essay

Last week, we discussed the stages of writing a college admissions essay. Now that you are more comfortable with the process, some tips on how to go about crafting the essay itself would be nice, right? With that in mind, here’s our list of the best tips for admissions essay writing.

  • Think about yourself – What are your strengths, your dreams, the things you are already doing to make the world a better place? Think of this as an exercise in discovering yourself so that you have some ideas to start writing about.
  • Write more than one draft – You’ve come up with a lot of great ideas, so why not explore your options further by writing the essay several times with different topics and themes. Once you have 750 words on paper on a few different topics, you may realize that one topic is more inspired than the others. Use the one you feel the deepest connection to, even if it isn’t the best draft. You’ll work that out in the editing stage.
  • Consider your audience – You started out writing about you, but now you need to tweak your essay for the school that you are applying to. Check out your chosen school’s mission statement for ideas on what means the most to them. The admissions officer will be looking for people who live up to the values the school wants to foster.
  • Tell a compelling story – This isn’t the time for intellectual writing with no heart. Your essay needs to show that you belong at the school and that means telling a meaningful story that gives a glimpse into your soul.
  • Enter the mentor – You need someone to read your essay from an outsider perspective. If you have a teacher or relative who has done some of the things you want to do, this is this kind of mentor that can provide the perspective you need before you continue editing.

The Best College Application Support Team

College Planning Source is in your corner to provide you with the college applications support you need to get started on your journey. Contact us today by calling 858-676-0700 or fill out our online contact form.

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