College Essay Tips!!!!

It's that time of the year and college applications are in full swing!!

For those students applying, I'm sure that you've either started or are strategizing how to tackle the college essay.  Here are a couple of tips:

1.  Stay Focused - make sure that your essay has a point that it is trying to get across and focus on proving it.  Try not to clutter your essay with too many ideas, but stick to a logical progression of one idea.

2.  Be Concise - don't use a hundred words when you can explain something with a short sentence.  College admissions officers want to see that students are able to communicate effectively and efficiently.

3.  Proofread!! - nothing will turn a college admissions officer off like a bunch of spelling and grammar mistakes.  Try to read and reread your essay to make sure that all errors are corrected (spell check doesn't always work!). It may also be a good idea to let a parent, friend, or teacher check your essay as well.

4.  Don't Lie - make sure that you are truthful when writing about yourself.  Nothing will hurt your chances more than getting caught in a lie.

5.  Be yourself - try to show schools who you are, not who you think they want to see

6.  Have Fun! - The college essay is one of the ways you will distinguish yourself from other applicants. Have fun, be creative, and convince schools that you SHOULD be at their institution!!

To see some sample essays, check out this site:  College Essay Examples

Keep it Real,

Paul