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what should not be included in a college essay?
I keep seeing videos of what not to include is college essays what do you think is important
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Emily K.’s Answer
When crafting your college essay, begin with a brainstorming session. Jot down various aspects of your life, such as your values, hobbies, career aspirations, personal goals, and sources of happiness on a blank piece of paper. Aim for a multitude of ideas! Next, identify common themes that reveal what matters most to you. Consider sharing a personal story that demonstrates these key aspects and makes you unique. Don't worry about perfection at this stage; just focus on expressing your thoughts.
If your essay has a specific prompt, ensure that you address all the questions asked. Avoid repurposing an unrelated essay that doesn't quite match the topic. Instead, proofread your writing and highlight for your self where you've answered the prompt's questions, confirming that you've covered all necessary points.
If your essay has a specific prompt, ensure that you address all the questions asked. Avoid repurposing an unrelated essay that doesn't quite match the topic. Instead, proofread your writing and highlight for your self where you've answered the prompt's questions, confirming that you've covered all necessary points.
Updated
Rose’s Answer
Hey Meghan!
When crafting your college admissions essay, the primary aim is to showcase your unique qualities that set you apart from other applicants. Be sure to highlight your achievements that resonate with the school's values and offer a memorable glimpse into your character. To truly succeed in this, steer clear of unsuitable subjects like relationships, romance, heroes, tragedies, politics, and religion.
When crafting your college admissions essay, the primary aim is to showcase your unique qualities that set you apart from other applicants. Be sure to highlight your achievements that resonate with the school's values and offer a memorable glimpse into your character. To truly succeed in this, steer clear of unsuitable subjects like relationships, romance, heroes, tragedies, politics, and religion.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
1. It's essential to be honest in your college essays. Use your own words to express who you are, your thought process, what drives and excites you, and the experiences that have molded your identity. Don't focus on what you believe the admissions board expects to hear or on creating an "ideal student profile." Instead, strive for authenticity.
2. Avoid excessive descriptions of events or people in your life without connecting them to your personal journey. While it's natural to mention significant life events or influential individuals, ensure your essays don't merely recount these occurrences or serve as biographies for others. Remember, the essays should highlight who YOU are. When discussing events or people, frame the narrative around their impact on your thoughts, motivations, and identity.
3. Refrain from using the essay as a platform to vent about your life experiences. Although negative experiences can play a crucial role in shaping one's identity, it's important not to treat the essay as an unstructured, emotional outpouring. Instead, focus on how these experiences have influenced your identity and your interest in the schools or programs you're applying to. While honesty is essential, remember that your personal story should be presented in the context of your educational aspirations.
2. Avoid excessive descriptions of events or people in your life without connecting them to your personal journey. While it's natural to mention significant life events or influential individuals, ensure your essays don't merely recount these occurrences or serve as biographies for others. Remember, the essays should highlight who YOU are. When discussing events or people, frame the narrative around their impact on your thoughts, motivations, and identity.
3. Refrain from using the essay as a platform to vent about your life experiences. Although negative experiences can play a crucial role in shaping one's identity, it's important not to treat the essay as an unstructured, emotional outpouring. Instead, focus on how these experiences have influenced your identity and your interest in the schools or programs you're applying to. While honesty is essential, remember that your personal story should be presented in the context of your educational aspirations.
Updated
Sonia’s Answer
In a college admissions essay, your goal is to convey your individuality, highlight your distinct qualities, and differentiate yourself from other candidates. To achieve this, concentrate on the given prompt and anchor your narrative to a subject that you're passionate and enthusiastic about. Eliminate any content that isn't directly related to the topic. Keep the focus on you, and provide your reader with a specific and unforgettable insight into your personality. Ensure that your essay is customized to suit the particular school and question you're addressing.
Updated
Joseph-Shannon’s Answer
Admissions teams look at thousands of applications, and essays, per year. Very quickly, most of those apps and essays blur and are "all the same." So here's your dual challenge: 1. Write something that will grab and keep their attention, and 2. Write something that stands-out, something different than the common themes of "here's me, here's what I like, here's why I am really interested in your school, here's the hardship that I had to overcome to get to this place." Can you successfully do this? Absolutely!
Think about... experiences (or your reactions to an experience) that were probably not "common," not what most people have experienced.
Think about... what makes YOU unique; how and why is this different than other folks? how and why might you want to leverage this or grow this uniqueness, through more education?
Think about... interesting skills, abilities, or interests that you have, which you would love to contribute to that school and to your future classmates.
Think about... things that might not "normally" go together, but which could be a good example of you (or what you'd like to do).
Bottom line: Be You. Show 'em how you are unique. Here, different is good.
Think about... experiences (or your reactions to an experience) that were probably not "common," not what most people have experienced.
Think about... what makes YOU unique; how and why is this different than other folks? how and why might you want to leverage this or grow this uniqueness, through more education?
Think about... interesting skills, abilities, or interests that you have, which you would love to contribute to that school and to your future classmates.
Think about... things that might not "normally" go together, but which could be a good example of you (or what you'd like to do).
Bottom line: Be You. Show 'em how you are unique. Here, different is good.
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
When writing a college essay, it's best to avoid controversial topics that could potentially offend the reader. As a general rule, I suggest refraining from discussing topics related to religion, politics, or deeply held personal beliefs that may be deemed as controversial or divisive.
Use humor and sarcasm sparingly, as they can potentially offend the reader or be taken out of context. It's important to strike a balance and ensure that your tone remains appropriate and respectful throughout the essay.
Additionally, avoid using excessive jargon or technical terminology that may confuse or alienate readers who are not familiar with the subject matter. This will help ensure that your essay is easily understood by a general audience.
Use humor and sarcasm sparingly, as they can potentially offend the reader or be taken out of context. It's important to strike a balance and ensure that your tone remains appropriate and respectful throughout the essay.
Additionally, avoid using excessive jargon or technical terminology that may confuse or alienate readers who are not familiar with the subject matter. This will help ensure that your essay is easily understood by a general audience.