The Only College Essay Guide You Will Ever Need

 Even if you have a high GPA, the best test scores, and a stellar list of extracurricular activities, your college essay can be the difference between an acceptance or rejection from your dream school. Of course, there is no “wrong” way to write an essay, but what is the best way to assure that admission officers will be impressed? ​​Regardless of the topic you are asked about, the most important factor is to BE YOURSELF. 

Your essay is the only opportunity to speak directly to the admissions office to show how you think, what you value, and what makes you unique from the thousands of others competing for a spot at your dream school. 

Step 1: Brainstorm ​
​Start by considering specific experiences that you’ve had. If asked about how your background has shaped you as a person, ask yourself:

• When was the moment I realized I wanted to become a doctor/artist/writer?
• Was there anyone in my life who inspired me to become a singer/engineer/athlete?

If you are really struggling to think of a topic, remember that it is never a bad idea to look at examples. You can type “[school name] admissions essays” into a search engine. Or Johns Hopkins has an "Essays That Worked" page, with examples of awesome personal statements from the most recently accepted class. Sometimes you need to see what others have done to inspire some ideas in yourself. Just be sure not to plagiarize!

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​Step 2: Reflect
What is it that you want admissions officers to know about you? If you are asked about a challenge you went through, you may want to stress that you are driven. Maybe you loved art as a child and no one believed in you, but despite the lack of support, you were able to use your resources and experiment with new techniques that made you a successful artist today. Or perhaps a failure reminded you to appreciate the little things in life. Maybe you missed the game-winning goal in your high school championship game, but were reminded that you loved soccer because of the joy that came with playing, not winning. 

​When reflecting, always remember that there are two sides to an argument. Your ability to recognize both the benefits and disadvantages of a situation shows college-level thinking skills.
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​ Step 3: Get Started 
The hardest part of writing any paper is getting started. This essay will take multiple drafts; the final result may look completely different than when you first started and that’s okay!

• Your introduction must be able to catch the attention of the admissions officer reading your paper. If your essay requires a title, utilize sites such as portent.com  to help generate some ideas.
• The body paragraphs should focus on the main idea you want to get across and the impact you have had on others up to this point in your life and in the future.
• In your conclusion, focus on the larger implications of your reflections. If asked about your future goals, you might talk about what you expect to get out of studying teaching/law/medicine in college. 

Step 4: Find Someone to Proofread + Start that Revision Process
DO NOT turn in your essay without proofreading, and refrain from only relying on your computer’s spell check. Ask someone who knows you to look over your paper. They need to see if your essay makes sense; are there any gaps in the essay? Having someone proofread your work also lets you know if your introduction succeeds in grabbing someone’s attention. Make sure you understand what revisions need to be made and start making changes! 
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Additional Tips:

1. Start early: Experts say that students benefit from starting their essays the summer before senior year. This is a time when students are not bombarded with homework and activities. It is also a good idea to start early so that you can work through multiple drafts before submitting an application. Early decision deadlines are as soon as November!
2. Double-check essay requirements: Specific requirements for essays, such as prompts and word count, can be found on the school’s website. If a school asks for supplemental essays, you want to make sure to complete them thoroughly.
3. Be patient: The first draft does not need to be perfect!! Lay out all your ideas, and take the time to work through them. Don’t pressure yourself to come up with the best topic or to write the best paper that perfectly fits the word count. This essay will take time.

If you are interested in getting some help, iLearn Academy offers a college essay package. Our professional writing instructors help students revise their essays into stronger, more compelling pieces.
Package includes:
- Two, one-hour sessions with an English instructor: Review your rough drafts to determine areas for improvement.
- One full round of proofreading and edits: Get your essay proofread for content, structure, writing conventions and grammar.
 
Call iLearn Academy at 847-834-0791 for more information!