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College Essay Advice

Hey everyone,

So, I just watched this video that breaks down how to write a really strong college essay (here’s the link if anyone’s interested: YouTube Link). I thought it had some solid advice and got me thinking about how important personal stories and authentic voice are in the application process. They emphasized keeping the essay focused on one specific moment or experience, which was something I hadn’t really thought about before.
For those who’ve gone through the process, what strategies worked best for you? Any surprising advice that helped your essay stand out? I’m in the early stages and open to any ideas that would make my application more memorable.

Would love to hear any tips or perspectives!

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Bonface’s Answer

Pinpoint a Particular Instance: As you've pointed out, homing in on a unique event can amplify the appeal of your essay. This strategy allows you to infuse your narrative with vibrant specifics and emotional depth, making your tale more relatable and captivating.

Stay True to Yourself: Admission officers have a knack for detecting authenticity in an essay. Pen down something that genuinely resonates with you, allowing your unique character to sparkle. Being true to yourself has a greater impact than striving to conform to an expected stereotype.

Illustrate, Don't Just State: Utilize illustrative language to create a vivid image of your experiences. Rather than merely stating you're persistent, narrate an instance where your tenacity enabled you to conquer a hurdle.

Contemplate on Progress: Underline how the experience moulded you. What were your takeaways? How did it alter your viewpoint or steer your ambitions? Contemplation indicates maturity and self-realization.

Bonface recommends the following next steps:

Don’t exaggerate or fabricate stories. Authenticity is key, and admissions officers can usually tell when an essay isn’t genuine
Stick to one main idea or theme. Trying to cover too much can make your essay feel scattered. Depth is more important than breadth.
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Allison’s Answer

I agree with the input provided so far on developing your ideas and stories for your college essays. Here are some additional tips to help you with the structure and mechanics of your essay:

Introduction: Make sure your opening paragraph grabs the reader's attention and clearly signals what your essay is going to be about.

Body: Focus on telling one cohesive story (not multiple) with paragraphs that provide examples or snapshots from your life that support the main theme or point you're trying to convey. Use transitions between paragraphs to create a logical or creative flow.

Conclusion: Wrap up your essay by reinforcing the main theme or message you've communicated. This is typically your main takeaway or the main point you want the reader to walk away with.

Also, don't forget to proofread for grammar and spelling errors, ensure your essay directly addresses the prompt, and make sure your story is unique to you. By doing this, you'll give the reader a clearer understanding of who you are.
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