Essay Examples

Essay Examples I lived on a college campus with 200 students and studied a topic. On the first day of class, our teacher set a box on the table and poured water into the top, and nothing came out. Then, he poured more water in, and everything slowly came out. I hadn't had too much interaction with special needs students before, and wasn't sure how to handle myself around them. Three years have passed helping out in APE and eventually becoming a teacher in the Applied Behavior Analysis summer program. I love working with the students and watching them progress. Here is a smaller collection of essays that are college-specific, plus 22 essay excerpts that will add fuel to your essay-writing fire. I am reminded of my thirst to travel, to explore new cultures utterly different from my familiar home in Modesto, California. I have experienced study abroad in Spain, visited my father’s hometown in China five times, and traveled to many other places such as Paris. I select my first prey arbitrarily, and as I raise my hand up to eye level, I closely examine this chosen one. A miniature Flamenco dancer stares back at me from the confines of the 3-D rectangular magnet, half popping out as if willing herself to come to life. Instantly, my mind transports me back a few summers before, when I tapped my own heels to traditional music in Spain. As a result, I have developed a restlessness inside me, a need to move on from four years in the same high school, to take advantage of diverse opportunities whenever possible, and to meet interesting people. I attended the SPK Program, a five-week enrichment program with New Jersey’s best and brightest students. Visit our website to learn more about Becky Leichtling. Admission officers prioritize content over quantity. I never met an admission officer who literally counted the words in a college essay. Outliers in either direction were immediately noticed, thoughâ€"writing 250 words when the space accommodates 650, or submitting 2-3 pages when a single page was requestedâ€"can send a bad first impression. But the difference between 280 words and 315 words, or 512 words and 627 words, will go completely unnoticed. I was lucky enough to discover what I am passionate about when I was a freshman in high school. addict, I volunteered to help out with the Adapted PE class. On my first day, I learned that it was for developmentally-disabled students. I wanted to become a board-certified behavior analyst. …But it occurred to me that, while my desired occupation was decided, my true goal in life was still to become a Fixer-Upper. Bridget the Fixer-Upper will be slightly different than the imaginary one who paints houses and fetches Frisbees. Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these (plus some essay excerpts!). A freshmaneconomics major, Laura Balinski decided to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst because she loved the campus and community atmosphere when she toured as a high school student. Walking around campus, Laura enjoyed seeing other students and how friendly they were, and she also really liked the layout of campus. Admission officers do notice, however, the clarity of your thought and the effectiveness with which you convey your ideas. If your message was well-said in 250 words but the maximum was 300, so you added 50 words of fluff, those 50 words are diluting the strength of your message. I reach in and let my fingers trail around the surfaces of each object. After her tour of campus, Laura immediately knew she wanted to go to UMass Amherst, and was accepted as an economics major. It took me a few weeks to write my essay from start to finish, but to this day it’s still something I go back and read every once and awhile. Having a planning step in the college essay process is essential because it gives you time to think and reflect upon your ideas at a more detailed level. Becky Leichtling is a member of College Coach’s team of college admissions experts. Becky is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Education; prior to joining College Coach, Becky was a senior admissions officer at Tufts University.

Essay Topics

Essay Topics Word order means more than word choiceâ€"you need to check, double-check, sit for a while and check again to make sure your admissions essay is as polished as possible. Basic grammar is really, really, important; it won’t get you into a school on its own, but without it, you could cost yourself a spot. Making sure you have the right punctuation in the right place and using active voice over passive is vital. That said, make sure your good grammar doesn’t keep the essay from sounding like you. Don’t push to use fancier language or longer sentences than you normally would. Have confidence in your own choicesâ€"what music is special to you, the authors you most value, the activities you participate in. Your enthusiasm for wood carving, slam poetry, Coen Brothers movies, or whatever, is what will jump off the page. You can’t make up that passion, and you shouldn’t try. Find an idea wherever you canâ€"application essays tend to be a source of hesitation more than inspiration. Giving yourself plenty of time, focusing on the specific details of your life, and showcasing your unique personality can help you craft the perfect college application essay. A strong essay can give you the best chance to get into the school of your dreams. Reading the essays of other students who successfully got into the college of their choice is a good way to find inspiration for your own writing. Look for common patterns in college admission essay samples, such as personal stories and a touch of humor. You might also find some good ideas for structuring your essay to give it a breath of fresh air. Think about parts of your background that have shaped your life. Ultimately, every application essay you write is going to be about you, as it should be the easiest thing to write about and it will give admission officers an idea of who you are. Every year, the path to college is paved with more roadblocks. Increasing applications from the U.S. and abroad mean that universities across the country are rewarded with an even more elite pool of candidates. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve seen, and this is not a time where a reader is judging your list of achievements. The most important factor of your college admissions essay is that you’re writing about what’s truly important to you. Make an appointment or submit your essay to our online writing center . Now that you have decided on the story that you want to tell, the next logical step would be to write it. You need to create an outline that you will use when writing your essay. Your college counselors are there to help, but they can’t if you don’t ask or wait until the last minute to seek guidance and feedback. Make a plan to meet with your college counselor and go over your college list and essays, and ask for feedback on your writing. Your college counselor can provide valuable insight into how to improve your college application essays, so seek feedback on your drafts as soon as possible. School-based counselors have a lot of students to advise and are very busy, so seek guidance early and often. In a sea of otherwise identical college applications, your college application essay gives you a chance to show why you deserve a coveted spot at your preferred university. Most colleges, as well as the Common Application, will have the topics for their essays available online. Look them up, and then start looking anywhere and everywhere for ideas. It’s always good to pull ideas from your own experiences. Think about what you’ve accomplished and what you feel defines you. Impeccable grades and test scores alone are no longer enough to set students apart from the crowd. As social media and technology begin to change the landscape of higher education, admissions officers are looking for new ways to get to know potential students. There is still no better way to introduce yourself than through an admission essay. Most times, an outline should not be based on the college admission essay format which will be discussed below. However, this format may vary depending on your university of choice or the course you intend to pursue, as will be explained below. Most top-tier colleges and universities require you to include an application essay or personal statement when you submit your application. But how do Ivy League and other elite schools differ from your average state or private college when it comes to admissions essays? Use the simplest word you need to get a point acrossâ€"every time. Sell yourself as you really are, so that reading your writing and having a conversation with you both feel like meeting the same person. The genuine article onlyâ€"everything is significant when it comes to telling your own story.

How To Write An Effective College Admission Essay

How To Write An Effective College Admission Essay Personal MBA Coach 13 years ago with the goal of providing customized one-on-one support. Scott also serves on the Board of Directors for AIGAC, the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants, and is invited to speak at MBA Admissions events globally. Applicants can fill out the WSU undergraduate application at wayne.edu/apply. Students admitted under the test-optional policy will require placement testing at Wayne State to determine appropriate college-level coursework and more substantive academic advising. It will drag tax information from the IRS straight to the FAFSA and save you a lot of time. This is your legal electronic signature to sign your FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, one of your parents will need to make one as well. If your parent already has an FSA ID , they must use their existing FSA ID. Use your recommender's institutional or corporate email address. Submissions from anonymous email servers (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.) may be subject to additional review. An email with instructions on submitting the online recommendation will be sent to your recommenders. Only online recommendations will be accepted, and recommendation letters must be submitted on the recommender's organization letterhead. The Video Essay is a great way for the Admissions Committee to learn a little bit more about you. You will be prompted to complete the Video Essay once you have submitted your application. Additionally, applicants must respond to a short answer question regarding their career goals. If necessary, applicants may provide additional information, not mentioned elsewhere in their application, that they would like the Admissions Committee to consider as part of their application. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or accredited international institution. Our clients have been accepted to all top schools globally with a 96% success rate. They received $5.5M in total scholarships last year. Students applying to Brandeis International Business School master's programs are not required to submit a GMAT or GRE score, but have the option to submit their scores for consideration. Applicants who have limited quantitative coursework may wish to submit a GMAT or GRE score to support their application. We also require a detailed employment history as part of the online application so that we may fully understand your previous and current roles and assess your career progression. Applicants must also submit a brief video responding to two questions posed by the International Business School community, as well as a written response to a third question. While Columbia’s current essay #2 addresses fit more broadly, mentioning how you plan to leverage the city would still be advised here. No doubt calling the series ‘Drones Against Lethargy’ would’ve been too obvious for the likes of Queen Elephantine, but Tribute to Atrophos makes the point just the same as a title, and with the advent of Vol. III out now, they’re certainly living up to the standard they set in terms of not being apathetic. Music of presence, for lack of a better way to say it. Their recordings are almost always raw, and this one is too, but the effect of making you wish you were in that room is palpable, and for me, that’s what it’s always been about with them. Three-year degrees that are equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree will be considered for admission. We evaluate applications based on a wide range of academic, professional and personal criteria. Please review the requirements and FAQs below as you prepare your application and reach out to our Admissions team if we can answer any specific questions. For technical support with the application, contact the OneStop Service Desk. Students will have the chance to work on all facts of their application and will be expected to draft a copy of their personal statement so that the counselors present can help them edit these statements. Each accepted student is eligible for one of 20 full-tuition scholarships and dozens of partial-tuition awards. Two recommendations are required for this program. You will be asked to provide your recommenders' contact information as part of the online application. This essay takes a direct approach to Columbia’s “fit” question. During some previous cycles, CBS has asked candidates about their desire to be in New York City.

Admissions Essays

Admissions Essays After he leaves, I take out my notebook and begin writing where I left off. ” my grandmother used to nag, pointing at me with a carrot stick. He would scoff at me when he would beat me in basketball, and when he brought home his painting of Bambi with the teacher’s sticker “Awesome! ” on top, he would make several copies of it and showcase them on the refrigerator door. I am David Phan, somebody who spends his weekends debating in a three piece suit, other days immersed within the punk rock culture, and some days writing opinionated blogs about underwear. Cancer, as powerful and invincible as it may seem, is a mere fraction of a person’s life. It’s easy to forget when one’s mind and body are so weak and vulnerable. I want to be there as an oncologist to remind them to take a walk once in a while, to remember that there’s so much more to life than a disease. While I physically treat their cancer, I want to lend patients emotional support and mental strength to escape the interruption and continue living. For the first time in years, the smell of garlic filled the air and the rattling of the silver bowl resonated throughout the house. The world I come from consists of underwear, nuclear bombs, and punk rockers. My world is inherently complex, mysterious, and anti-nihilist. Through my work, I can accept the shovel without burying my grandmother’s memory. However, a simple walk on a hiking trail behind my house made me open my own eyes to the truth. Over the years, everything--even honoring my grandmother--had become second to school and grades. Before I could resolve my guilt, I had to broaden my perspective of the world as well as my responsibilities to my fellow humans. I became desperately devoted to my education because I saw knowledge as the key to freeing myself from the chains of ignorance. While learning about cancer in school I promised myself that I would memorize every fact and absorb every detail in textbooks and online medical journals. But the best dimension that language brought to my life is interpersonal connection. When I speak with people in their native language, I find I can connect with them on a more intimate level. One day, my mom brought home fresh cabbages and red pepper sauce. She brought out the old silver bowl and poured out the cabbages, smothering them with garlic and salt and pepper. But I retreated to my desk where a pile of “Please draw this again and bring it to me tomorrow” papers lay, desperate for immediate treatment. Later, I even refused to attend the same elementary school and wouldn’t even eat meals with him. This essay could work for prompt’s 1, 2 and 7 for the Common App. I had been typing an English essay when I heard my cat's loud meows and the flutter of wings. I had turned slightly at the noise and had found the barely breathing bird in front of me. On rainy days, Michael, Jen and I would sit on the porch and listen to the rain, talking about our dreams and thoughts. This essay could work for prompt’s 1, 2, 5 and 7 for the Common App. To find out if your essay passes the Great College Essay Test like this one did, go here. For analysis of what makes this essay amazing, go here. Smiling, I open Jon’s Jansport backpack and neatly place this essay inside and a chocolate taffy with a note attached. And as I began to consider my future, I realized that what I learned in school would allow me to silence that which had silenced my grandmother. However, I was focused not with learning itself, but with good grades and high test scores. Gingerly, my grandma stood up from the couch in the living room, and as if lured by the smell, sat by the silver bowl and dug her hands into the spiced cabbages. As her bony hands shredded the green lips, a look of determination grew on her face. Though her withered hands no longer displayed the swiftness and precision they once did, her face showed the aged rigor of a professional.

Where Can I Find A List Of College Admissions Essay Questions?

Where Can I Find A List Of College Admissions Essay Questions? Up to that point science had been my private past time, one I had yet to explore on anyone else’s terms. Participating for the first time in a full-length research experiment at that level, I felt more alive, more engaged, than I ever had before. Learning the complex dynamics between electromagnetic induction and optics in an attempt to solve one of the holy grails of physics, gravitational-waves, I could not have been more pleased. The essay should be a personal journey of getting to know yourself better. This process should not only be revealing to a college admissions representative, but to you as well. We write to discover, and the college essay should be a lens through which you can see yourself a bit more clearly. Don’t fill your essay with every single personal accomplishment. You want to highlight yourself without sounding like a braggart. Although it is not long compared to some papers you have written by now, your essay must possess a depth of self-understanding that your high school research papers probably do not. Be sure to give yourself enough time to write a meaningful essay. Do it yourself, but feel free to ask a friend who loves writing or English to read your essay and provide feedback. Participating in the Student Science Training Program and working in their lab made me feel like a kid in a candy store. Just the thought of participating in a project at this level of scientific rigor made me forget that this was supposed to be my summer break and I spent the first day eagerly examining every piece of equipment. At the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at State University, I will be able to do just that. In a department where education and research are intermixed, I can continue to follow the path that towards scientific excellence. Long-mesmerized by hobbies like my work with the FIRST Robotics team, I believe State University would be the best choice to continue to nurture my love for electrical and computer engineering. I have only scratched the surface in this ever evolving field but know that the technological potential is limitless. Likewise, I feel that my time at State University would make my potential similarly limitless. Even as a child I constantly sought it out, first on television with Bill Nye and The Mythbusters, then later in person in every museum exhibit I could find. Science in all its forms fascinated me, but science projects in particular were a category all to themselves. To me, science projects were a special joy that only grew with time. In fact, it was this continued fascination for hands-on science that brought me years later to the sauna that is the University of Alabama in mid-June. As a matter of fact, it’s best to ask a few different people. Everyone has an opinion, but if you hear the same critique from a number of individuals, then you should probably take their advice into consideration. In addition to just science, I am drawn to State University for other reasons. I strive to work with the diverse group of people that State University wholeheartedly accommodates â€" and who also share my mindset. They, like me, are there because State University respects the value of diversity. I know from personal experience that in order to achieve the trust, honesty, and success that State University values, new people are needed to create a respectful environment for these values. I feel that my background as an American Sikh will provide an innovative perspective in the university’s search for knowledge while helping it to develop a basis for future success. And that, truly, is the greatest success I can imagine. I, like State University, constantly work to explore the limits of nature by exceeding expectations. Long an amateur scientist, it was this drive that brought me to the University of Texas for its Student Science Training Program in 2013. Mom survived, but I would never forget visiting her at the ward or the complete confusion I felt about her attempt to end her life. Today I realize that this experience greatly influenced my professional ambition as well as my personal identity. While early on my professional ambitions were aimed towards the mental health field, later experiences have redirected me towards a career in academia. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of science. Where others see the engineering, experimentation, and presentation of science as a chore, I only see excitement. Thus vindicated, my desire to further formalize my love of science brings me to State University. Thanks to this experience, I know now better than ever that State University is my future, because through it I seek another, permanent, opportunity to follow my passion for science and engineering. Please submit a one-page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen State University and your particular major, department or program.

Our Tips On Writing Your College Essay

Our Tips On Writing Your College Essay Based on my experience, we read every essay at the institutions were I served. Typically, applications received two reads and a third if the decisions were split. In some courses, university students must complete one or more essays over several weeks or months. In addition, in fields such as the humanities and social sciences, mid-term and end of term examinations often require students to write a short essay in two or three hours. Most, if not all, high school and college standardized tests include a writing portion. Students are provided a writing prompt and must then write an essay on the topic. Writing for standardized tests can strike fear in the hearts and minds of students of all ages, but it doesn’t have to. If you know what to expect and understand how to write a five paragraph essay, you will be prepared to tackle any essay writing prompt. Prompt’s Essay Specialists reviewed 13,000 admissions essays in 2018, helping thousands of students submit their applications with confidence. when admissions season started, it is not easy to read hundreds of essay during a short period of time. in the mean time, between 5-10 min is actually reasonable for a good read. At a smaller school, it is more likely that the admissions officers will have the time to look at each essay, whereas at huge universities it would seem less likely. In terms of how many officers read each essay, that also varies from school to school. Some read regionally which means that one officer reads all the applications from all the high schools in a certain geographic region. Often they are read in committee where several officers might look at one essay. If you want to know how you will be assessed at any given school, you should feel free to ask the admissions office. there are different stages for the admissions process. normally essay does not read more than one person unless the vote must proceed and admission counselors decided to work hard for the students they like the most. This is a tough question to answer as there is no way to know for sure. And yet another student staged a sit-in in an admissions office lobby, refusing to leave until she was able to speak to a few admissions people. Needless to say, this tactic proved as ineffective as the pies and the blow-up person attached to balloons. Similarly, one topic you should never write about in your college essay is romantic relationships. Check out these five tips for choosing an essay topic to help get you started. Aside from mistakes on the essays, college admissions counselors discuss in “The Daily Beast” how one student sent pies, claiming she wasn’t a good athlete but she was a good baker. The admissions counselors thought the pies were quite tasty but this did not lead to an acceptance. Another student sent a life-size blowup of herself attached to balloons. It was supposed to fly…but alas the balloons didn’t work. Too many words had been added that just did not reflect the student’s vocabulary or mode of writing. College admissions readers are bright and intuitive and can tell when an essay has been “helped” too much. It’s hard not to be cliché when writing about young love, and a relationship shouldn’t be the main aspect of your life that you want to showcase for college admissions officers. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, essays have become a major part of a formal education in the form of free response questions. Secondary students in these countries are taught structured essay formats to improve their writing skills, and essays are often used by universities in these countries in selecting applicants . In both secondary and tertiary education, essays are used to judge the mastery and comprehension of the material. Students are asked to explain, comment on, or assess a topic of study in the form of an essay. I see no problem with parents doing a grammar/spelling check as well as offering suggestions on how an essay could be improved. Just be sure that it still reads like it was written by a 17 year old and it shares the story that is important to them and not just an important sounding topic that a parent thinks would be more impressive . Coming up with a good topic for your college admission essays can feel like the ultimate form of writer’s block. After all, what could you possibly write about that will represent you in 500 words or fewer? The creative process definitely isn’t easy, but these tips and tricks from students who have been through the process should help you get your thoughts flowing and ideas moving.

120 College Essay Examples For 14 Schools + Expert Analysis

120 College Essay Examples For 14 Schools + Expert Analysis Their goal is to pull together a certain mix of people. They don’t want a collection of copycats all doing the same thing in their respective high schools. Your essay should show something that is unique; a demonstration of a distinctive quality that no other student may choose to offer. Using words in your essay that you don't typically use in your daily conversations can sound awkward and forced. Words have nuance to them, and simply inserting a word from the thesaurus is a great way to destroy that nuance. The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through. Sample essay 2 with admissions feedback This is the currently selected item. Two summers ago, I travelled to Ecuador to live with a friend’s family and teach Spanish theater to third graders. This is the same approach you need to use in your essay. Line up your scenes in chronological order so that the story is easy to follow. Not only does this show colleges that you’ve have done your homework, but it also demonstrates your interest in the college â€" and colleges want to admit students who are likely to enroll. Show your knowledge of the college by mentioning specific courses, professors, places of interest, and more. Show how you fit into the campus culture and how you will impact the community through specific examples. DON’T use the personal statement essay to repeat your resume. This final step will likely take much longer than writing the entire essay. You know what you meant to say, but is it clear to someone else reading your work? Have these people review your application essay to make sure your message is on target and clear to any audience. Start with your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Claiming that you have good study habits is another empty claim. Detailing the exact study habits that have helped you succeed in school, backed up with the GPA on your application, carries much more weight. Thesaurus abuse is a lazy and easily spotted trick, and seasoned admissions officers will see right through it. If you feel that you're overusing a particular word, think of alternatives on your own without consulting a thesaurus; using words that you're familiar with will help you avoid misusing them. When tailoring responses to individual college prompts, it’s important to use specific details you’ve learned through visiting and research. These three facts give us the first clues as to what should be included in your essay. Universities are not just looking for students that hope to acquire good skills; they are looking for those who have a promising future. Your future success makes them look good and encourages more students to want to study with them. Your essay should reflect a powerful sense of commitment to your goals and your future success. Have another person (or several!) read your essay, whether it’s a teacher, guidance counselor, parent, or trusted friend. Believe it or not, the brainstorming stage may be more tedious than writing the actual application essay. The purpose is to flesh out all of your possible ideas so when you begin writing, you know and understand where you're going with the topic. Now forget all that, because a successful college application essay is totally different. How well do you understand the college admissions process? You have a unique background, interests and personality. You may have to revise several times before your essay delivers your message perfectly. As you go through your revision keep these basic guidelines in mind. It’s time for you to narrow down your options for an essay topic and begin to build your story. At this point you already have all the information you need to create a powerful essay but now you need to start building it. Remember, that every story has a main plot, a few characters that the reader can connect with, and a slow build up to the climax.