2 answers
adri
Student
1
Question
Asked
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How to make a college essay sound interesting?
I’m in sophmore year but I want to be ready for when the time comes. I just need practice. I want to make my essay worth everythinggggg
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2 answers
Charlie Bernstein
Director
19
Answers
Murray, Utah
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
I really love questions like this because you are asking at the right time. I have been fortunate to coach multiple students on this subject and in the process of writing a book on it.
Here is the key. You're telling them about you, but you want to share with them things that make you...you. The traits that helped you as a teen and traits that will be valuable to a college student at their school.
Here is what I recommend.
1) Make a list of potential stories or experiences you have had that you think might make a good essay. It could be about a trip with your family, or a club a school or sports or a hard problem you had that you needed to solve. It could be about what makes you tick. But make as big a list as you can.
2) Use the list of personal traits below and associate as many as you can with each story on your list. You can add to the list as well.
Accountable Friendly Productive Attention to Detail Goal Driven Proud
Caring Gracious Punctual Calm Gregarious Purposeful Compassionate Handle Adversity Put in the Effort
Competitive Helpful Reliable Confident Honest Resilient Consistent Imaginative Resourceful
Cooperative Inclusive Respectful Courageous Inspired Responsible Courteous Integrity Risk Taker
Creative Inventive Self-Motivated Decisive Kind Sense of Community Curious Leader Strong Communicator
Dedicated Loyal Strong Family Diligent Observant Strong Work Ethic Driven Open Minded Teachable
Eagerness to Learn Organized Team Player Empathetic Patient Thoughtful Enthusiastic Persistent Trustworthy
Fair Problem Solver Unafraid
3) look at the traits for each story. Filter out the stories that have few or no traits.
4) with the stories left, which one(s) would demonstrate your personal traits well? Which one has the best traits to share? If it's one or two of them, ask your parents which they prefer.
5) This is the story you should write about.
6) Now here is the format you can use. List the traits, tell the story, Tell how those traits helped you in High School, and then Tell them how those traits will make you a successful student at their school.
7) Write more than you need and edit it down.
8) Review Rewrite Review Rewrite, grammar check rewrite.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck.
Here is the key. You're telling them about you, but you want to share with them things that make you...you. The traits that helped you as a teen and traits that will be valuable to a college student at their school.
Here is what I recommend.
1) Make a list of potential stories or experiences you have had that you think might make a good essay. It could be about a trip with your family, or a club a school or sports or a hard problem you had that you needed to solve. It could be about what makes you tick. But make as big a list as you can.
2) Use the list of personal traits below and associate as many as you can with each story on your list. You can add to the list as well.
Accountable Friendly Productive Attention to Detail Goal Driven Proud
Caring Gracious Punctual Calm Gregarious Purposeful Compassionate Handle Adversity Put in the Effort
Competitive Helpful Reliable Confident Honest Resilient Consistent Imaginative Resourceful
Cooperative Inclusive Respectful Courageous Inspired Responsible Courteous Integrity Risk Taker
Creative Inventive Self-Motivated Decisive Kind Sense of Community Curious Leader Strong Communicator
Dedicated Loyal Strong Family Diligent Observant Strong Work Ethic Driven Open Minded Teachable
Eagerness to Learn Organized Team Player Empathetic Patient Thoughtful Enthusiastic Persistent Trustworthy
Fair Problem Solver Unafraid
3) look at the traits for each story. Filter out the stories that have few or no traits.
4) with the stories left, which one(s) would demonstrate your personal traits well? Which one has the best traits to share? If it's one or two of them, ask your parents which they prefer.
5) This is the story you should write about.
6) Now here is the format you can use. List the traits, tell the story, Tell how those traits helped you in High School, and then Tell them how those traits will make you a successful student at their school.
7) Write more than you need and edit it down.
8) Review Rewrite Review Rewrite, grammar check rewrite.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck.
Iya B. MA
Director
3
Answers
Matawan, New Jersey
Updated
Iya’s Answer
Greetings Adri,
This is the perfect time to inquire about your college essay. You have time to make it everything!
Colleges are looking for well rounded students who are dedicated to attaining their goals inside and outside of the classroom. Think about your hobbies and grades and incorporate them into activities to share within your essay.
Although grades are not everything they are very important, maintain a 3.0 gpa or higher. Join a sport, if you are not athletic join newspaper, poetry, STEM or community service club to show that you are well rounded.
Keep a journal of the lessons you have learned from your peer club interactions. Think about your experiences and incorporate how they have played a role in making you a well rounded student. Perhaps, accountability, building time management skills, learning to communicate effectively on all levels and work productively as a team player.
Your experience and your life journey is everything Adri, so make it count and never be afraid to do the work! If you are not interested in any of the activities I mentioned above be a leader, start a petition and create a club that holds the interest of you and your peers. Your voice matters!
Best,
This is the perfect time to inquire about your college essay. You have time to make it everything!
Colleges are looking for well rounded students who are dedicated to attaining their goals inside and outside of the classroom. Think about your hobbies and grades and incorporate them into activities to share within your essay.
Although grades are not everything they are very important, maintain a 3.0 gpa or higher. Join a sport, if you are not athletic join newspaper, poetry, STEM or community service club to show that you are well rounded.
Keep a journal of the lessons you have learned from your peer club interactions. Think about your experiences and incorporate how they have played a role in making you a well rounded student. Perhaps, accountability, building time management skills, learning to communicate effectively on all levels and work productively as a team player.
Your experience and your life journey is everything Adri, so make it count and never be afraid to do the work! If you are not interested in any of the activities I mentioned above be a leader, start a petition and create a club that holds the interest of you and your peers. Your voice matters!
Best,