[mp.ARK]

I have to admit... I've never had such a hard time writing an essay. It's like a double-edged sword; either it's going to get you in or it's going to get you rejected. Some colleges ask you write specific stuff like the UCs, which for the most part is pretty simple and straightforward. But other colleges like to give you a riddle which takes weeks to think over. For example:

Convey to the reader a sense of who you are. (Columbia University)


So which topics are killing you right now? I'm pretty sure you guys got them memorized.

[Voltage]

An essay won't ever be the sole factor for determining your decision. It, in many ways, can only hurt you. While there are those that have brilliant creativity and write up an essay that deserves more attention than most, the personal statement is an opportunity to show that you have coherent thoughts that can be expressed on paper. Don't pick apart every word you put down; instead, just write as you would normally for any english class.

[TOPstatus]

College applications are t3h sux0rs. The one I'm having problems with is Princeton's:

"Choose a quote and write about it.." and then you have to pick quotes about Princeton or by people who came from Princeton.

[KIM_SAYS:]

But other colleges like to give you a riddle which takes weeks to think over. For example:

Convey to the reader a sense of who you are. (Columbia University)

Ohh, most of my apps are like that. Haha thank goodness because I don't have trouble writing about it. I think with a topic like that you can write about anything you want. They make it broad and general for a reason. Write about something you've experienced, something you're passionate about, blah, blah, blah where you can just show your voice and personality. That's all they want.

Haha the hardest topics I've found are the ones that do ask a specific question. I don't like the ones that are like "How are you going to bring and demonstrate diversity?" or something along those lines.

But the MOST trouble I'm having with is sticking to the word limit. I tend to write too much.

[josebiwasabi]

don't actually try and sound smarter than you really are. try and write like you normally would for a standard paper. if you try and fit in random high-level vocab, it's really obvious that you don't really know what you're doing.

for the OP:
maybe think of a situation you were in that required you to act quickly without thinking, or conversely a situation that required you to really think things through. maybe if you talked about your decision making process and how your mind works you could effectively convey to the reader the type of person you are? idk, just a suggestion.

[angelzstar]

read "Accepted! 50 Successful College Admission Essays".....that book helped me get a sense of just WHAT colleges want......and helped me choose what to write for the Columbia essay =D

[Omphie]

Personally, I find the essays that ask "Why do you want to go to my school? What does it offer you specifically?" type of questions to be the most difficult. I don't know if I'm just saying what everyone else is saying.

[starrysmile]

definitely...YES! i'm having like MAJOR writer's block right now...it's like to me, nothing sounds good enough.

[aikomidori]

Ditto with everyone who's having problems with the college essay I. Just. Can't. Write. It.

[yerathy]

AHH!!! My head hurts. haha I'm on like my third draft... still editing A LOT. ~~~~ I'll be so glad when it's over.

[chdairkld]

I have so many supplement essay's to go...oh lord...and I hope that a teacher will be willing to edit in a short time frame. *Dies*

[AiLing]

College applications are t3h sux0rs. The one I'm having problems with is Princeton's:

"Choose a quote and write about it.." and then you have to pick quotes about Princeton or by people who came from Princeton.

I can't remember which quote I picked for my application (I think that my year, we might have been able to pick our own quote), but the advice I'd give is to think about the quotes broadly - "Princeton in the nation's service.." may make you think about your ideas on community service and Einstein's "curiosity" quote is a good time to try to express a love of learning, which admissions people like looking for - people who like learning for the sake of learning.

[ronmexico]

I have so many supplement essay's to go...oh lord...and I hope that a teacher will be willing to edit in a short time frame. *Dies*

If you need somebody to get it back to you pretty quickly, you can always PM/IM (IM is better since I can't get onto the board from my apartment) me and I'll take a look at it. I don't have a lot to do right now.

[Tamago86]

You should consider getting an editor or an experienced English tutor to look over your essay, or someone who's familiar with the admission standards of the university you're looking to apply to

Most people's essays are not that great, so it really helps to find someone who knows the ins and outs of what colleges look for

[umademesmyle]

essays are definitely the worst part of the college application process for me..

[litoxshortaii]

all of my supplemental essays are killing me right now..

tufts:
Self-identity and personal expression take many forms. Music, food, art and clothing can make a statement. Politics, religion, nationality and ethnicity often act as defining attributes. Colored wristbands and blogs express opinions and viewpoints while the minutia that adorns a refrigerator or a notebook can be clues to someone’s passions. Are you an oldest child? Do you surf? Are you a vegetarian? Did you wear flip flops to the prom? Do you have a tattoo? Who are you?

[c a t h e r s]

can u guys help me...? lol. my prompt is:

is there anythin gyou would like us to know about you or your academic record that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in this application?

-this question seeks to give students the opportunity to share important aspects of their schooling or their lives-such as personal circumstances, family experiences, and opportunites that were or were not available at their school-which may not have been sufficeintly addressed elsewhere in the application-

i know some of you guys have harder ones, but this one its like...i have to choose my own topic u know? and i have noo idea wat to write about

[astronomic]

Aishh yes, i'm really starting to panic that I won't be able to be satisfied with all my essays by the time their due. I loathe writing about myself, so this whole experience is just ughhh. The prompt I'm having most trouble is "Tell us about a talent, experience, contribution or personal quality you wil bring to the UC." Akdjfas. I DON'T KNOW. D: && It's so frustrating to have a teacher edit it, and they just tear it down `cause it doesn't work.

@ c a t h e r s; I found that topic to be the easiest to write. ^^;;

[swtamy83]

Babson's question is to write a letter to your future roommate! What am I supposed to do?

[Yoshi.]

So which topics are killing you right now?

I have three essay for one college to finished. -.-;; and I only have one done. x(