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Writing Your College Application Essay Part III

Now start writing!

Now that you've got your brainstorming, ideas and topic in check there's a few more things to keep in mind while actually writing the essay. Your key goal here is to make the marker realize that you are more than just words on the page, or a standardized number score. You want to wow them. Here's how:

1. Question is Key.

If you don't answer what was asked of you, you'll never be accepted. Follow the instructions first and foremost.

2. Unique and creative.

You are able to express yourself in this part of the admission guidelines, so do it! Make your language articulate and engaging through action words showing rather than describing what you've been through.


3. Stay true to you.

You are a superstar, now you just have to show that to the rest of the world. Don't fake into something you're not because that's not what this essay, college or life is all about. Be you, be true and write it with feeling and genuine spirit. Personal experience written in is a great way to incorporate this into your writing.

“Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece by thought, choice, courage and determination.”
  - John Luther         

4. Be Weary of Big Words.

If you're going to use a thesaurus to spice up your essay, make sure that you understand the words you use. It's worse to use a word that doesn't fit the context than something that "looks smarter" on the page.

5. Colour your language.

This can really boost your essay by using imagery to support your ideas and experiences. There are 5 senses, use them to your advantage while writing.

6. Introducing...

This is the most important part. It is the first thing they see and do not expect the person reading your essay to spend more than a few minutes tops on it. It must be attention grabbing right from the start. Here's what to do in your introduction...
  • DO NOT Summarize: Your introduction should be new and intriguing
  • Grab the audience. Your first sentence does not necessarily have to give away your topic of choice. Use the first sentence to force them to read on.

7. Intro to Body.

Even when your introduction is creative and seemingly independent, your body paragraphs have to follow suit to what the introduction started. They need to connect like a train, thoughts following each other in as smooth course.

8. That's all folks.

The conclusion is the last instance you have to push your point and persuade them in your favour. Here are some tips provided by QuintCareers.com on how to improve and push your conclusion:
  • Expand upon the broader implications of your discussion.
  • Consider linking your conclusion to your introduction to establish a sense of balance by reiterating introductory phrases.
  • Redefine a term used previously in your body paragraphs.
  • End with a famous quote that is relevant to your argument. Do not try to do this, as this approach is overdone. This should come naturally.
  • Frame your discussion within a larger context or show that your topic has widespread appeal.
  • Remember, your essay need not be so tidy that you can answer why your little sister died or why people starve in Africa; you are not writing a "sit-com," but should forge some attempt at closure.

9. Walk away.

Step away from your draft and come back to it. You may find that you want to add something in that you hadn't thought of before, or that you pick up on more grammatical errors that you didn't see previously.

10. Edit Party!

Okay, so it's not the kind of party that's tons of fun to attend, but gather up your friends that are writing their admission essays and edit each others papers. You can discuss with them what you didn't understand about a paper, where ideas don't really conclude, or what the central message of the essay was. Not only is it fun to get together with others but everyone wins by getting a few more eyes to read it over.

11. Revisions.

Now you can put the final touches onto your essay with the ideas and corrections from yourself and others. Look out for grammar, spelling, where things don't really go with the main argument, or where sentences can be tweaked to sound more flowing.

After that, give it a final read through out loud and you should be ready to send it off! Congratulations! You've written something that will positively affect your educational career and you might have learned something in the process too!



"For me, writing is exploration; and most of the time, I'm surprised where the journey takes me."
                       - Jack Dann                       
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