How to Write the Perfect College Admissions Essay

VSTUDENT ERSION

Let’s Get Started!

Exercise #1

THINK BACK TO YOUR FAVORITE TRIPS.

CAN YOU REMEMBER THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE WITH YOU?

CAN YOU REMEMBER THE MEALS YOU ATE?

CAN YOU REMEMBER WHERE YOU SLEPT?

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR FAVORITE TRIP?

Exercise #1

Exercise #2

Learn to tell it as only you can tell it! The most interesting stories don't come from books... they come from your life!

You might have told your story to someone before, or you may have never told it to anyone. Either way, it is a valuable story, and you are the only person who can tell it!

Take your reader into your moment and help them see, feel, hear, taste, and feel the details of your journey!

Be a storyteller: make your story come to life with details, emphasis, enthusiasm, and color!

Your life is the canvas, your words are the brushes, and the paint is the pizazz you add to your painting!

Find a quiet place!

Get all current thoughts out of your mind to clear up space to clearly remember your specific stories.

You can do this by setting a timer and writing down every thought that comes to mind. After 5 minutes, leave the thoughts on the paper to allow yourself to think more clearly about your story.

No distractions!

Exercise #2

Just like your thumbprint, no one shares your story!

Get out a sheet of paper. Look at your thumbprint. See the unique shape?

Now, using your pencil, draw a full page thumbprint. Use the lines of the thumbprint to begin your unique story…. Here are some ideas to get you started…..

Your name

Something that no one knows about you

Your talent, your best friend, your favorite color, if you were an animal, what animal would you want to be? Your favorite food, what scares you? Dreams? Hopes? Regrets? Things you are proud of….

Keep going with personal items about only you until you have filled your thumbprint.

Your Story

Today, right now, you are creating your story to somewhere!

You are taking your past and making a credible case (A Bridge) from your past to your future!

Where is your somewhere? How does your past help you get to where you’re headed?

Your Story

College Applications are your chance to show colleges who you will be in their communities and schools. You can do this by revealing parts of your character that do not show up in the application!

Great essays reveal who you are today, how you got to this place, and where you are committed to going in the future!

Your Story

Your essay offers a unique glimpse into who you are beyond your grades and test scores your personality!

It's a chance for admissions officers to understand your individuality and appreciate your writing abilities. Check out these tips to help you craft a standout essay.

Your essay is a chance to showcase your personality and unique qualities beyond grades and test scores. Use these tips to impress admissions officers and write a standout essay.

Who is your role model, and why? What are you most proud of?

Have you faced a situation that spurred personal growth?

What experiences didn't turn out as expected, and what did you learn?

What are you passionate about?

Essay Bridge

The Essay Bridge concept involves linking your past experiences and accomplishments to your future aspirations in college and beyond. You'll craft a narrative that not only reflects on what you've achieved but also outlines the unique contributions you plan to make moving forward. By drawing from both your academic and personal life, you'll paint a detailed picture of your future goals, replacing broad strokes with clear, specific visions of the path you intend to take.

Essay Bridge

Let's build a bridge between the past and future...

COMMITMENTS - What difference do you want to make in the world?

AMBITIONS - What do you plan to study? What else will you do in college? What are your plans after college?

ASPIRATIONS - What is the purpose of your life?

ACTIVITIES - What activities do you enjoy?

ATTRIBUTES - What words would you use to describe yourself?

INFLUENCES - Which people have shaped who you are today? Which works of art, literature, or science have shaped you as a person?

YOURESSAYISYOUR YOURESSAYISYOUR

PERSONALMASTERPIECE

PERSONALMASTERPIECE

Creating an essay to paint an honest and favorable picture is a combination of art and science.

Mixing the paints, setting up the frame and bringing the canvas to life is the challenge.

Questions to Ask

Parting Words

AVOID DIVISIVE TOPICS LIKE POLITICS AND RELIGION IN YOUR ESSAY.

STAY AWAY FROM THE 5 D’SDIVORCE, DEPRESSION, DETENTION, DRUGS AND DEATH

KEEP IT POSITIVE BUT DON’T STRAY AWAY FROM TOUGH TOPICS

OFTEN YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE INTENSE GROWTH OUT OF EXTREME FAILURE AND PAIN.

UALITY UANTITY

THOUGHTFUL

UNTHOUGHTFUL

WELLDEVELOPED EXAMPLE OVER SIMPLIFIED EXAMPLES

Parting Words

Usetheanswerstothequestionstobuildyouressay. PayparticularattentiontohavingaWOW beginning.Wecallthisamagnet.Somethingthat instantlyattractsyourreadertoyourstory.

Personalessaysaremostpowerfulwhenthereader isdrawnintoyourworld.Readersseethatworld fromyouruniqueperspectiveandexperiencea criticalmomentthathelpedshapewhoyouare.

Usingaquotebysomeonefamousorareferenceto agreatpieceofliteraturecansupportyourstory.

Hey, You Did It!

Let’s Imagine