SESSION X

Writing the Essay: Fundamentals

The Guidance Center has a book on how the better write college essays. Buy and read, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.

 

Generally,...

  • Don’t repeat stuff already covered in other parts of the application.
  • Avoid generalities.  Be specific about something that gives an insight into…you.
  • Watch your tone: Casual, not cute; witty, not silly; informal, not sloppy; touching, not sentimental; etc.

  • Avoid:  Relationship issues;

    Religious beliefs – unless this is a college with strong and primarily important religious orientation;

    Political viewpoints;

    Drugs; drinking; violence; etc.

    Death – unless you can avoid the sentimental absolutely;

    Current events – too predictable;

    Greedy motives (“I want to go to college so I can earn lots of money.”)

     
  • Write about something important to you AND which the admissions office want to read.

 

Successful formats for essays:

  • Write for yourself or your favorite relative – not an unknown admissions officer.
  • Consider telling a story.
  • Read some good writing before writing – it’ll help remind you how to think about good writing.
Subjects followed by the format used in some successful essays:
Subject: On applying to college
  • stream-of-consciousness conversation with the car
  • trial transcript with three-judge tribunal hearing the case of the writer of the college essay full of cliches and generalities
  • extended metaphor comparing the writing of college essays to the times at-bat
  • application writing as part of a TV game show
Subject: Immigrants, on coming to America
  • metaphor of uprooting a tree and re-planting it elsewhere
  • autobiographical account of hard times but no self-pity, finishing with a parable
Subject: Various
  • cartoons with drawings and test
Subject: Family
  • dilemma of changing cultures
  • family legend – but no sentimentality