Top 5 College Essay Writing Process Dos and Don’ts
Top 5 College Essay Writing Process Dos and Don’ts
Over the coming weeks we’ll take a closer look at each of the specific essay prompts you’ll have to choose from as you write your Common App personal statement. Creating a memorable and persuasive body of writing is a critical component of your success in the application process.Before we dive too deeply though, let’s take a quick look at five important dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you’re writing. Following these tips will greatly improve the overall quality of your work and set you up to have a more successful process.
The Dos
Students create essays that wow admissions officers when they do the following:
Show.
Your essays should paint a picture of who you are as vividly as possible. The words and phrases you use to evoke images of the important sights, smells, and feelings that make up your story are as important as the story itself. If you can captivate your reader, putting them in the action with you, you are more likely to be viewed favorably.
Allow plenty of time.
College essay writing is a process, one that is best not rushed. Plan to start early, allowing yourself ample opportunity to brainstorm and sculpt the best stories. It may take upwards of 10 drafts before your essay is at the level it needs to be. And that’s OK! What matters most is the end product; give it time to grow.
Get creative.
Your essay should stand out. It should be an undeniable expression of your voice and passions. There is no cookie cutter template for what makes a great essay; that magic has to come from within. Take the opportunity to express your creativity, to think outside the box, and experiment with different styles, chronology, and tones until you find what format works best for you.
Be confident.
You have accomplished some amazing things and made a difference in others’ lives. Celebrate that! You should be the star of your own essay, and that begins by confidently reflecting on your successes and life lessons. Include examples of the work you’ve done and illuminate the effort it took to make it happen. Remember, the underlying goal in every piece of your application is to demonstrate your desirability as a candidate; to succeed on this mission, you must portray confidence in your writing and your choices.
Seek expert opinion.
Top quality essays are not written in a vacuum. You will need expert eyes to help you create the best story possible. Seek insight from a trusted source who not only knows you but also has experience with the admissions process. Writing a college essay is not the same thing as writing an English essay. This process should stretch your ability and push you into creating one of the best writing samples of your life to date. Accomplishing this requires a trustworthy coach/advisor who can shepherd your journey.
The Don’ts
Expressing your voice doesn’t mean that anything you write “from the heart” is automatically worth submitting. Creating a captivating essay is as much about what you don’t do as what you do. Let’s take a closer look:
Don’t tell.
Don’t get mired in details and lists of information. That is a recipe for a non-compelling essay. To captivate your reader, you must show, not tell. Facts matter; but they should be presented in a way that makes your essay come alive.
Don’t expect perfection out of the gate.
Perfectionism is the enemy of great writing. The more you aim for it, the further out of reach it will be. Instead, treat each draft like a step on a ladder. The end goal is to reach the top and by allowing yourself the freedom to turn in less than perfect drafts, you can achieve that goal. You must be open to expert feedback and to getting rid of phrases or ideas that you like to replace them with something better. And if you can detach the personal stakes (“This draft is crappy, therefore I’m a crappy writer) from your work, you will begin to grow in amazing ways.
Don’t forget the substance.
As you focus on style, don’t forget what matters most. Your essay must be substantive. How do you stand out from the crowd? What personal touches have you added to your field of interest? What evidence supports your position? Your admissions officer needs tangible takeaways to help create a compelling case for you in the selection committee. Remember, all sizzle and no steak (or whatever your preferred vegetarian/vegan parallel is) makes for an unsatisfying meal.
Don’t be cocky.
Some students struggle with the difference between cockiness and arrogance. And, indeed, there can be a fine but important line. You want your essay to celebrate your strengths, even those that have come from setbacks. You should take pride in and ownership of the work you’ve done to improve your school or community. But don’t get caught up in patting yourself on the back. Focus instead on the lessons you’ve learned and the work you hope to do in the future. You can embrace humility and still honor your accomplishments. In fact, this is exactly the kind of mindset that makes for a great classmate, lab partner, or colleague.
Don’t have too many editors.
While you need more eyes than your own look over your work, be careful not to solicit too many opinions. This is a quick way to lose your sense of voice and authenticity in your writing. And savvy admissions officers can tell when your work is over-edited. Find the one or two expert voices that you trust and stick with those. There are other ways your teachers, friends, or parents can support your process besides making suggestions after every draft. Guard your focus and give yourself the best shot to create a meaningful essay.
The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started?