COLLEGEAPPLICATION

ESSAY WORKSHOP

©2014 Worldwide Hock (Credits to Westford Academy 2012)

WHY GO TO COLLEGE?

http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0883617.html

http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-210.pdf

Personalize the application Show who you are as a person vs. numbers The closest you will come to introducing

yourself to the admissions committee Sets the tone for the rest of the application Can demonstrate fit

Writing sample No matter your intended major/career,

ability to communicate effectively in writing is critical

PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION ESSAY

Academic PerformanceAcademic RigorWriting

Quality of writing within your college essayQuality of writing on other parts of your college application

Extracurricular Involvement & Personal Qualities

Community

SCORING YOUR APPLICATION

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Common Application Essay Questions for 2013-2014

Brainstorm topics1. Start small2. Think about what makes you you3. Pick a positive quality you would like to convey to the

admissions committee4. Tell a story

Accomplishments, attributes, favorite book or music, difficult times you’ve struggled through, an epiphany

OVERVIEW OF PROCESS:FOUR STEPS TO A WINNING ESSAY

AN ACTIVITY…

Step 1: Think about yourself

What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your best qualities? Are you a plugger? An intellectual? A creative type? Curious? Passionate? Determined?

AN ACTIVITY…

Step 2: Choose a positive quality you'd like to convey to an admissions committee.

Don't pick an event or something you've done. President of the Nuclear Awareness Club is not a personal quality. Focus on a quality of your mind or of your character. Complete this sentence:

"I am a very _________ person."

AN ACTIVITY…

Step 3: Tell a story

Set a timer for 10 minutes. Pretend you're taking an exam at high school and responding to, "Tell a story about an experience or time when you showed you were a very _________ person." Use the characteristic you identified in

Step 2. Write or type non-stop for 10 minutes; force yourself to keep telling the story and what it reveals until the timer goes off.

Select the Best Topic and Subject.

Answer the Question.  Be Personable and

Specific. Make Your Essay The

Right Length. Watch Your Tone. Don’t Appear Self-

Interested or Materialistic.

Don’t Rely on Your Computer’s Spell Checker.

Don’t Overlook the Mundane.

Skip the Volunteer Trip.

Don’t Rehash the Resume.

Peruse the Entire Application.

Don’t Fall in Love with the Thesaurus. 

Check Your Ego at the Door.

Accentuate the Positive.Proofread Carefully.Organize Your Essay.Research the College

Before Writing the Essay. Invest in a Strong

Introduction.Start Early and Take Your

Time.

19 COMMON APPLICATION MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM BY LYNN RADLAUER LUBELL

YOUR HOMEWORK:

Choose three colleges or universities that you could see yourself going to after high school. One should be a top choice, one a middle choice, and one a safety school.

Research the application process for each school and bring in any information on application essays available through the admissions web pages.

Be prepared to share your findings with the class.