College admission processes can be frustrating for applicants, especially given the strict requirements. Top selective colleges receive thousands of applications from candidates who meet their academic guidelines.
These institutions use application essays to identify the most deserving candidates from the pool of many competent applicants. Given the importance of the college essay for your acceptance prospects, you need to make it a priority. Here are a few insights on acing this vital stage of your application.
- Understand the Requirements
Like any other formal paper, the college essay comes with guidelines the applicant is expected to follow. Make sure to go through the essay prompt, which outlines how the task is to be approached and the length of the task. Reading the instructions also means understanding the essay question.
In terms of length, understand that the college essay is generally short. You will be expected to make a lasting impression using about 650 words. Ignoring the instructions can diminish your acceptance prospects. If you are unsure how to proceed, consider a professional write essay for me services.
- Choose an Interesting Topic
One of the most challenging steps in writing college essays is discovering what to write about. While there will be a set of instructions and questions to guide you, the ultimate topic will be your selection. It would help if you remembered that you are the subject of the college essay. This means that your preferred topic should be something you find intriguing.
Choose a topic that allows the admission officials to get to know you better. Most colleges give students several prompts to choose from for their essays. These prompts are often broad and open-ended. The goal is to provide you with some sense of direction.
As you choose your topic, understand that the college essay is not a biography of your entire life events. Instead, choose a topic that narrows your focus and offers insight into a specific event or experience. The goal is to let the officials know how you think, your values, and your abilities. You can also choose a topic that illustrates your academic or work background.
Understand that you don’t need to write about a life-changing event or achievement in your essay. According to experts, the best essays talk about ordinary topics, offering insight into the candidate’s values and strengths.
Whatever topic you choose, you will be writing an essay about yourself, and that is what matters. Websites like PayforEssay can help with drafting issues for your paper.
- Brainstorm for Ideas and Create an Outline
Some experts recommend freewriting when approaching the college essay. While this may work for some, it can sometimes lead to writer’s block, where one spends hours figuring out how to get started. Most students find it ideal to begin by preparing and creating a plan.
In essay writing, brainstorming means writing down whatever comes to mind on a topic. The ideas you create during the brainstorming session can then be used to form an outline to guide your writing. With a system, your report will be faster and flow more smoothly.
- Create Your First Draft
If you have a topic and have created an outline, you can start working on your first draft. Understand that the process of writing an application essay is unique to the writer. You can choose between freewriting and outlining as long as you end up with an exciting story.
Also, don’t waste your time trying to make your first draft perfect. The best writers create multiple drafts before their work is ready for submission. So, the initial draft should serve as a brain dump, where you jot down your ideas and create your sentence. After that, you can spend some time editing and proofreading your document.
If you find it hard to get started on your essay, focus on the introduction first, and then proceed with writing the subsequent sentences. Your text should commence with a hook, grabbing the reader’s attention and getting them interested in what is to follow. If you are unsure of your writing ability, look for the best essay writing services online and hire specialists.
- Proofread and Edit Your Writing
The final stage of writing a great college essay of proofreading multiple times. Some relatively strong applications are rejected because of typos and grammar mistakes. Remember, selective colleges want students capable of meeting stringent academic requirements. Submitting an essay ridden with errors communicates carelessness and shows that you are not serious about your application.
Always spend time reading what you have written, correcting typos, grammar, and formatting errors. Check whether your writing meets all the requirements provided in the prompt. Most importantly, consider having a professional proofreader comb through your work to make suggestions for improvement.
Ultimately, the college essay is your opportunity to show admissions officials that you have what it takes to thrive at the institution. Create the piece in your voice, avoiding jargon and words you seldom use. Also, avoid repetition or regurgitating information contained elsewhere in your application.
BIO:
Eric Ward – Working full-time as a Senior Marketing Manager for one of the biggest IT companies in the US, I also enjoy helping college students with their homework. Work with me if you need help with an essay, case study, or a term paper. I have an MBA degree and I’m fully committed to helping you with any pending Marketing or Management assignment.