Writing Admission
Essays
Although it's called by different
names-- admission essay, application essay, personal essay, personal
statement-- this portion of your application can make all the difference
in getting accepted.
It's your opportunity to show you are a
human being and not just a GPA or a number on a test score. Regardless
the degree, most programs really do want unique individuals. Accordingly,
many
applicants with so-so metrics make it in each year based on an interesting
essay.
Choosing a Topic
Choosing your topic can be the hardest
part of writing your essay.
- Pick a topic that you know about and care
about. Something that reflects well on you and demonstrates the confidence you have
in yourself.
- Winning essays include personal anecdotes, so
be sure your topic is one with which you have hands-on experience. Also be sure
it's something that can be easily covered in the allotted number of words.
- Brainstorm possible topics. Make a list
of five to ten. Wait a day and start a new list. Wait another day
and start a third list. Eliminate topics not
on all three.
- Ask your family and
friends topics they would suggest and why. Discuss your list
with them.
- Settle on a tentative topic and a runner-up.
Begin writing on your tentative topic. If you find yourself struggling
switch to your runner-up.
Essay Writing Mechanics
Assuming you and your topic are a good
match, actually writing your essay can be surprisingly easy.
- Develop a central idea for your topic.
Encapsulate the central idea in a single "master
sentence".
- Jot down as many aspects of the idea as you can
think of. Do it rapidly. Don't worry about grammar, spelling or the order you write
things in.
- Group the aspects under a few main headings or
subtopics. Let the bad ones go.
- Logically
arrange your subtopics.
- Logically
arrange the aspects grouped under each subtopic.
- Turn each aspect into a sentence or two, and
each group of aspects into a paragraph.
Tips for writing a great essay
As you write your essay keep in mind:
Your work should be
unified
A paragraph is unified when it only
contains sentences which contribute to understanding the subtopic. An
essay is unified when it only contains paragraphs which contribute to
understanding the central idea. As a discipline, compare each sentence to
your master sentence. Ask yourself, "Is this getting me off on a tangent?"
Your work should flow
There is a natural logic to organizing an
essay. If you're telling a story, things should build toward a
climax. If you're writing a history, things should unfold chronologically.
Your work should start energetically
Grab the reader's attention
with something dramatic. Pose a profound question or paint a picture of an
interesting location or event.
Your work should be tight
Never
use more words than necessary. Never use bigger words than
necessary. Don't repeat yourself. Vary the words you use.
Your work should be thoroughly critiqued
Do yourself a favor-- the more people who review your essay the better.
- Applying to college- try your high
school counselor and teachers
- Applying to grad school- your
academic advisor and willing professors
- Applying to law school- have a lawyer you
know read it
- Applying to medical school- a doctor
- Generally speaking any one whose
opinion you respect can help you by reading your essay and giving you
feedback
Your work should be
revised as needed
Don't
be afraid to improve your essay based on the insights of others.
Even if you defy the laws of nature and create a perfect essay in one
sitting, you should wait a couple of days and reread it. Chances are
you will find things that you yourself want to change.
Your work should be
"neat and tidy"
It
is critical your essay be grammatically correct and free of spelling
errors and typos. Any punctuation lapses or misspelled words will jump
out on the page and cost you points.
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Sample Admission
Essays and Personal Statements
Before writing your admission essay or
personal statement it can be instructive to review what other applicants have
come up with. Below are links to examples of actual essays written for
admission to assorted colleges and programs.
Sample Essays for College Admission
Connecticut College
Coe College
Purdue University
For Admission to Graduate School
California Institute of Technology
Indiana University
Iowa State University
University of Central Florida
University of Northern Iowa
For Admission to Law
School
Alma College
Brigham
Young University
Loyola University
Wagner College
For Admission to Medical School
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Iowa
University of North Carolina
University of Virginia
For
Fellowship Application
Boston University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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