[Ivana]

Hey everyone!
I'm not exactly sure if there has been a topic about this, or if I posted this on the right forum .

Anyway, I just thought of asking for tips & advices regarding my college admission essay. So basically the question is somewhat about a significant experience that helped me as a person...

And the only significant experience I could think of now is the summer class I took just last May. And I thought it'd be suicide to write about that since that would mean I would have to write about my failure(s) and such. But it was really significant for me since I learned a lot from people there and changed some of my point of view(s) regarding certain matters.

I'm not sure whether I'll stick with that experience or choose another.

Any suggestions? Shall I just stick with the summer class experience?

Thanks in advance!

[Avex]

I'd look up some videos on youtube about this, lol.
For example:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IGPXW3RfC2c

But really, the video does speak true. What do people around you find special about you that sets you apart from others? Ask others that - even if it's weird. If you get the same answers for a while, it might be a possible topic.

But if you decide to stick with your college class experience, I'd have to read it. You can almost write about anything.. it's how you write it and how you answer the prompt well enough that makes it good.

[pekkles]

If you learned a lot, and it's not only a significant amount but a significant part of your life as well, then go for it. Colleges want to see that you're grown up and can handle things, and they want to see how you grew up and learned to handle things. Progress is good! If you have any other experiences that you're considering, just think about if they're striking, if they've affected YOU a lot, if they are experiences that everyone else has, if your reaction or lesson from this experience is typical or unique, etc.

Admission officers read a lot of essays, but most people BS them, or make them elaborate and fluffed up just to impress, or completely make them up, so if you have a meaningful essay, it will be noticed. Make sure your essay is written genuinely, and has a very sincere voice- it doesn't hurt to be humble, either. Not suck-up humble, but don't be arrogant or too conceited, because you are basically begging these people to let you into their school, and this essay is part of the offer you're making.

As far as the essay after it's written, give it to a ton of people to edit. Not only counselors, teachers, and tutors, but your classmates and former upperclassmen who have finished the process. I wouldn't really suggest having your parents look at anything but the final draft- let them know that you're working on it and not slacking off, but they're probably not going to be able to read it subjectively, and will either over praise you or overly criticize you. Your counselors, teachers, and tutors will be able to read it from the officer's point of view, but they may make editing suggestions that will change the entire point or feel of your essay. Your friends, however, KNOW you- they will be able to point out, "this doesn't sound like you", "you usually write with a lot of vivid description, let yourself loose here so it'll be more interesting", "I remember that, didn't this happen also?", and so on. Hunt down friends who are good at English too!

But remember, this is YOUR essay, so don't feel pressured to take any edits that will make it otherwise. Always take edits that are purely grammar though You don't want grammar mistakes!

Good luck~

[Xingda]

i got a book called 50 essays that got into harvard or something along those lines
none of the essays were like extreme experiences (except a few who had parents who died of cancer... but i thought those were too cliche anyways)

In the first one the guy said he went to costa rica, ate too many beans, and couldnt find the mens bathroom, went to the ladies, clogged the toilet, and had to fix the toilet

ehhh.. it was interesting though

im considering writing about talking to someone on a subway

im sure you have little experiences like that that dont come to mind now

[HT2791]

i got a book called 50 essays that got into harvard or something along those lines
none of the essays were like extreme experiences (except a few who had parents who died of cancer... but i thought those were too cliche anyways)

In the first one the guy said he went to costa rica, ate too many beans, and couldnt find the mens bathroom, went to the ladies, clogged the toilet, and had to fix the toilet

ehhh.. it was interesting though

im considering writing about talking to someone on a subway

im sure you have little experiences like that that dont come to mind now

yeah i have this book
most of these essays were about small everyday situations and they just expounded upon them to show how they affected their lives
and some of the essays were big experiences too. but what i noticed was the everyday normality of some of the essays
yeah i have to start working on an essay of mine for those early decision/action schools.
bah
i'm getting help from a tutor and a friend/acquaintance of his who is an English teacher
but it's not going to go anywhere if i dont write something first

[LUX.]

I'd say to write about something seemingly mundane, and do a very good job at explaining how it's affected you and exactly how it is something so average could have such a significant impact on you.

Hmm, also, I read an article written by an admissions officer and he said the point of the essays was really to get to know the applicant. It's supposed to act as a way to prove yourself to be more than just a piece of paper. He said "I want to know if you have a brother, your mother's name" blahblahblah. He didn't mean it literally, but yeah, just connect on a personal level.

[silentxtears]

If it significantly affected you and changed the way you think, I'd say go for it. It's important to you, and as long as you SHOW how much it means to you, then the admissions officers will see that.

[「Sachiko」]

I'm also in the process of writing my college app essays... They're so frustrating to do! T_T So far, I finished two essays for the UCs.

If you're writing about a summer class, don't just state what you learned from the class, colleges want to know that you have grown up/matured and the process of it. I'm not really sure how to explain.. ):

Here's some tips/advice that come to mind. Some of them are kind of repeats from what pekkles said above.

Many colleges do not have time to interview you, they want to know who you, the applicant, are on a personal level. Since they already seen your application, they want to "get to know" the applicant.
They want applicants to view the essay as an opportunity to express the applicants' personalities and qualities beyond the grades and test scores.

A lot of essay prompts are vague/universal, so don't be afraid to "modify/improvise" your essays, meaning that you can use one essay and revise them to fit the requirements of another essay... saves a lot of time/effort if you have a lot of essays to write.

Also, write in your own tone/voice. Be sincere and yourself. It's not a research paper, so you can be creative or humorous if that is your style. However, don't forget the grammar/spelling mistakes.
Be descriptive, yet concise and don't forget that it should reflect your personality.

Don't worry about what the colleges want to hear. Focus on what you want them to know about you that will make you stand out from the other hundreds of thousands of applicants.

Also, don't forget to have a variety of people proofread them- your peers, teachers, counselors, etc~! They may offer some valuable suggestion/insight on improving your essays.

Good luck on your essay(s)!

[Ivana]

Don't write about suicide or anything like that, definitely too cliche, and the admissions officer will think you're vying for pity points.

I'd say to write about something seemingly mundane, and do a very good job at explaining how it's affected you and exactly how it is something so average could have such a significant impact on you.

Hmm, also, I read an article written by an admissions officer and he said the point of the essays was really to get to know the applicant. It's supposed to act as a way to prove yourself to be more than just a piece of paper. He said "I want to know if you have a brother, your mother's name" blahblahblah. He didn't mean it literally, but yeah, just connect on a personal level.

LOL I didn't intend to write anything about suicide. What I meant was would it be such a risk to write about summer classes since it means that I failed a subject or two

THANKS everyone for your replies. I just really hope I could make it!

[LUX.]

LOL I didn't intend to write anything about suicide. What I meant was would it be such a risk to write about summer classes since it means that I failed a subject or two

THANKS everyone for your replies. I just really hope I could make it!

aiiyahh! I'm embarrassed; I sort of just scanned your post, sorry!