Counseling Ten College Essay Tips
 

1. Don't "recycle" essays

An essay that sounds like it has been used before will blend with everyone else's.

2. Captivate your audience

Make your essay engaging and memorable. Include a quick, enticing intro; give a reason to finish reading it.

3. Be yourself

Choose a topic that is meaningful to you. Use your own voice. show off a side of yourself that your application does not; don't simply write what you think an admissions office wants to hear.

4. Accentuate the positive

When writing a personal experience, emphasize how the experience changed you for the better.

5. Write in the active voice

Doing so will make for a clearer, more concise essay.

6. Don't overextend

Your essay isn't a term paper. Stay focused on your topic.

7. Ask people for input

 Whether it's a teacher, counselor, friend or parent, ask someone you respect for some candid feedback. Is it confusing? Boring?

8. Leave time for rewriting

Look for weak or dull spots and spelling and grammatical errors. Never let your first draft be your final draft.

9. Revise, reword

Improve on your first draft through various rewrites. Read the essay aloud to find awkward sentences or problems.

10. Pursue perfection

Have someone else look it over. Quadruple-check the spelling. Type your essay carefully.

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