College Apps - Essays

[MisterB]

Ok so I went to a local college and commuted and never had to write an essay for a college app. My daughter is in the process of applying and just got her ACT score of 31. So academically I think she is ok. She is looking at University of Maryland, Ohio University, Missouri, West Virginia University & Syracuse for journalism/broadcasting.

Going to ask the braintrust - what are the colleges looking for in the essay?

Here are some of the ????

What are the parts that make up the sum of me?

What ignites your spark and makes you fearless?

How will you shape the future of journalism?

Thanks......

[jcommin]

They are looking for writing and creativity skills. Not all colleges require essays - A 31 is a very respectable score, however there are a lot of smart kids out there. Essays, interviews, extra-curricular activities can give you an edge.

My son needed to write essays for 2 of the colleges he was interested in. I read them and had no input in the subject matter or his thoughts.


BTW, Mizzou is a great school for Journalism. My niece goes there.

My best to your daughter!

[911SauCy]

Being 27 and a Uconn Alum, I've got some experience.

Each University will give its own topic for the essay, like examples given, usually nothing more.

These essays are a serious exercise in reflection, deep thought, and forward thinking. The most important part, it needs to be FROM THE HEART, not what you think they want to hear. It must be honest, true, and not rushed. They universities choose not because of a right or wrong answer, but how they understand the individual and the connection that individuals thoughts compliment the school, its culture, vision etc.

Don't let her procrastinate either, these aren't a night before kind of thing.

Good luck, this is some crazily competitive stuff.

[Aragorn]

I don't think there is a set check-box of keywords that colleges are looking for in an essay. They are looking more for style and feel from what they read. This article kind of sums up what I think they are looking for:

10 Tips for Writing the College Application Essay - Professors' Guide (usnews.com)

As long as she writes in her own voice to her audience she should do well.

[mattdavis11]

Ideas and correct punctuality.

[id10t]

I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently.

Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row. I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.

Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.

I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat 400.

My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me. I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several covert operations with the CIA.

I sleep once a week; when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a small bakery. I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid.

On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven. I breed prize-winning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin.

I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis.

But I have not yet gone to college.

[nzporsche944s2]

Originally Posted by id10t

I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently.

Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row. I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.

Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.

I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat 400.

My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me. I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several covert operations with the CIA.

I sleep once a week; when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a small bakery. I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid.

On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven. I breed prize-winning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin.

I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis.

But I have not yet gone to college.

Too funny! Thanks I enjoyed that!

[URY914]

With an ACT of 31 she shouldn't need to write an essay. Good for her.

[LWJ]

I met a fellow this summer who is a Prof at Harvard. He reads admission essays as part of his job. He said the one thing Harvard looks for is "interesting" people. For what it is worth.

Larry

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Ideas and correct punctuality.

Yes, you need to have good ideas, and make sure you submit the essay on time.

[cashflyer]

What ignites your spark and makes you fearless?
As far as I understand the physics of sparks, a spark is not ignited. A spark is created, and in turn ignites a combustible substance. My spark is best created by a high voltage capacitive discharge system. This spark then ignites a near stoichiometric mixture of fuel and air, located inside of the combustion chamber of a Porsche 911 engine. As I grip the steering wheel and press ever harder on the accelerator pedal, I am fearless for I know all competition is behind me as I advance toward my goal.

[mfiazzo]

My wife works for a University and reviews essays.

She reccomends researching the prospective Universities websites to gain info on what the University is all about. Look at the mission statement, the past history and the traditions. Then weave that into the essay.

Try and use real life examples in the essay, write about the volunteer work you have done. Write about family values.

[JoeFleming86]

Originally Posted by mfiazzo

My wife works for a University and reviews essays.

She reccomends researching the prospective Universities websites to gain info on what the University is all about. Look at the mission statement, the past history and the traditions. Then weave that into the essay.

Try and use real life examples in the essay, write about the volunteer work you have done. Write about family values.

I'll try to do it!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Back there at his place late at night, when the owls congregate
And the snakes sleep, when the trucks hit the spacers in the overpass
And the storm drains cough up dust and cigarette filters
purge like frogs at the side of the road
Back there, down the gravel lane, down the dirt road
Down some dust on the grass, past the pecan tree to the shadow
With some bricks around it
Back there, late at night, back there in the dark
Back there in the dust, back there
The dog burst into flame







That outta get her in....
words by Leo Kottke

[aigel]

There is good advice given here already: Start early, be yourself, make it about yourself, do not make it a paper where you read up on the subject and come up with the same platitudes everyone else will find on wikipedia. I disagree about having to read about the University specifics.

One thing that I cannot stress enough is to have others read the essay. Proof read but also read to make sure a stranger understands 100% what is being conveyed. Sometimes there are family friends that can help here, it is good if they are a bit distant, that way they can give honest feedback and are more of a guinia pig reader than someone knowing the kid well. Look for people that have a journalism background, HR, executives, educators. Also don't forget about the highschool college counselor. They can have good input as well and know what works!

Last but not least, spend the money and effort and have your kid apply for at least half a dozen schools. Regardless of deadlines, do the safety schools / plan B schools first. Get those essays written first and send those applications off. The essays will get better with every iteration and even with different prompts, some material could be re-used and re-applied.

The essay isn't the only thing important in a application but it can make or break it. I recommend focusing on it for several days total, over a span of weeks or better months.

[URY914]

You guys realize this is from 2013?
She's probably got her Phd by now.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by JoeFleming86

I'll try to do it!

Is it just me or is this setting up to SPAM the board. I hand full of short posts that don't really say/mean anything or possibly even fit the thread. Joe's going to "try to do" what exactly considering this thread is really old and Joe had nothing to do with it before he responded to a really old suggestion that wasn't really for him?

[MBAtarga]

^+1 - likely a spammer to be

[Cajundaddy]

Tell a story that is genuine and will engage the reader. Good structure and punctuation helps but the human element is most important here.

Her grades and test scores probably are enough, but an interesting essay helps.

[Bigtoe32067]

Jesus people. Pay attention to the dates.
Tony