The document provides tips for writing a successful college application essay, including advice from admissions counselors to be concise, genuine, and focus on unique qualities or experiences. It also offers brainstorming techniques for choosing an essay topic and structure, emphasizing writing about something only the applicant could discuss. Sample college application essay questions are presented along with guidance for selecting a question and developing an idea.

1. April 17 and 19, 2012

2. How to Write a
Foolproof College
Application Essay
A few tips…… Watch and enjoy!

3. Why Universities
Require Essays
 Learn more about you
 Understand what unique qualities you will bring to
the campus
 See if you are a good “fit”
 Help them see you more 3-dimensionally
 Assess your writing ability
 Evaluate your ability to communicate

4. What Admissions
People Say About the
Essay
 “Clear and Concise is the best way to go.”
 “Take creative risks with it, but be sure it’s correctly
written.”
 “We like it up close and personal.”
 “Subject must be creative and fresh, not trite.”

5. What Admissions
People Say About the
Essay
 “Looking for signs of life – a sense of
humor, intellectual curiosity, interesting experiences
or perspectives.”
 “It’s not the most critical part of the process, but it’s
often the student’s only connection with the
admissions counselor, so present yourself fully.”

6. What Admissions
People Say About the
Essay
 “We are not looking for students who all think the
same way, believe the same thing, or write the
same essay.”
 “I am advocating essays with a sharp focus that
allows for detail. Detail is what differentiates one
essay from another, one applicant from another.”

7. Essay Writing Tips*
when considering topics
 Write something that only YOU could write.
 Be genuine and personal.
 Focus on one aspect of yourself.
 Don’t ask yourself what are “they” asking for. What
do YOU have to say?
 Answer the question!
* Tip taken from: Bauld, H. (2001). On Writing The College Application Essay. New York:
HarperResource.

8. DON’Ts!
 Flip to page 5

9. Brainstorming Topics
Topic / Question
Topic of choice: A day that altered my
perception of control
Episode, Event, Ex
Elements of ethos
perience
The day I worked Patience, flexibility,
the bike race at HSU ability to adapt
Creative First Line Tone
Sometimes you
Angle just can’t stop
Move from
humorous
descriptive a woman on
to serious
anecdote a horse.

10. Considering Basic Structure
Let’s look at an example!
Turn to Page 6

11. The Common App Questions
1) Evaluate a significant
experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or
ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on
you.
2) Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or
Brainstorm on page 9
international concern and its importance to you.
3) Indicate a person who has had a significant
influence on you, and describe that influence.
4) Describe a character in fiction, an historical
figure, or a creative work (as in
art, music, science, etc...) that has had an
influence on you, and explain that influence.
5) A range of academic interests, personal
perspectives, and life experiences adds much to
the educational mix. Given your personal
background, describe an experience that
illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in
a college community, or an encounter that

12. Choose ONE Question & ONE
Idea
 Review your whole list
 Choose a question for which you had
the most interesting response(s), OR
the question where the answers came
easily!
 Flip to page 10 of your packet
 Complete the Topic/Concept
brainstorm
◦ Even if you don’t use this topic later, going
through this process a few times is
helpful,
◦ Use this for each idea you have, if you

13. Ms. T’s Best Writing Tips
Now, go write your essay! Next fall we will
have another workshop for students with full
drafts, and we will look at these secrets to
success:
Creative Angle
Noun / Verb = Concision
Show Don’t Tell = Imagery
Make CUTS!

14. Thanks for Coming Today!
Word Up & Write On!
If you have questions or need help with
your essay, please be respectful…
◦ Set an appointment with your counselor
or teacher re: your essay
◦ Be on time for that appointment
◦ Bring a copy so you can go through it
together
◦ Don’t email essays or expect editing from
us!