The college essay is
the one part of the application process that gives students the opportunity
to inform admissions officials about their special abilities, interests,
and qualities, or about any significant factor might set them apart
from a large number of qualified applicants. As some colleges begin
to doubt the usefulness of standardized test scores, college essays
are being given more weight than ever in the admissions process. While
a superb essay will not cancel out a poor high school record, a well-written
essay can make a student with decent grades stand out from the other
applicants.
Colleges that ask students to write essays really do want to know
the person behind the numbers. The essay helps the admissions officer
reading the application know the student in a way that four years
of statistics, scores and grades will not. A good essay can present
the student as an interesting and valuable person, one who is worth
knowing, who is genuine, thoughtful, engaging and capable. An essay
can also reflect any setbacks the student has suffered or explain
any gaps in the academic record. |
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| Essays are evaluated
on three basic criteria: |
| • |
The student’s ability
to use standard written English that is correctly written, punctuated,
and contains correct grammar, usage and syntax. |
| • |
The content, substance,
and depth of insight which reflects the student’s ability to
think about himself or herself and to convey authentic feelings or
opinions about a topic. |
| • |
Creativity and originality
which reflects an individual who would bring qualities such as intellect,
initiative, energy and a fresh viewpoint to the college community |
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| Students writing college
essays would do well to avoid the following: |
| • |
Inflating experiences,
trying too hard to impress, or adopting a pompous or intellectual
tone. |
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Expressing feelings of
anger or hostility toward others. |
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Repeating information
that is already available elsewhere in the application. For example,
an essay on being a soccer captain should go beyond a repetition of
a fact that is already outlined on the student’s list of activities. |
| • |
Relying on parents or
other adults in the writing of the essay. The voice of an adult can
easily come through an essay and drown out the authentic voice of
the student writer. |
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Making general statements
and clichés that make the essay unremarkable from hundreds
of similar essays which are read by admissions officials. Telling
details and specifics makes the essay lively. |
| • |
Being overcautious or
too eager to please the admissions committee. A mediocre essay won't
hurt the applicant much, but a truly good one can help immensely. |
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