Beyond appearing for competitive examinations like the SAT’s, there is the stress of applying to multiple colleges. The final years of high school are grueling because everyone is trying to fit in extracurricular activities, take part in every event, experiment with ideas and events and be as social as possible to make the most memorable memories.
While this is all fun and games, it does come with a fair bit of stress. The competition to get into the best colleges is high, so not only are you required to have outstanding grades, but you must also win over the admissions board with a brilliant statement of purpose of the essay.
Application Essay Tips
- Start Early
- As stated above, there is no end to the amount of work that needs to be done during the last few months of high school.
- There are competitive exams, semester exams, projects, assignments, homework, club activities, sports, socials and everything else one could possibly think of in school.
- Balancing all of this can be very hectic, which is why it is important not to forget about the next step in life, that is, college applications.
- Applications in themselves may be simple with areas that need to be filled out with the appropriate information.
- However, more often than not, you will be required to write a statement of purpose or essay to clearly elucidate why you would be a beneficial candidate to the school and why you’ve chosen that particular college, as well as, degree.
- As an overview, this may seem fairly easy, but it actually requires a lot of hard work and effort.
- Starting at least six months before the date of submission ensures that there is enough time for corrections or redos.
- Remember, that the last date of submitting an article should not be the deadline. Your college application should be ready for submission at least two weeks before submission portals open up.
- This will also give you time to think of the approach you would like to settle for, topics that need to be broached and plan out how you intend to do so.
- It is important to read and write continuously. This ensures that every point is relevant to previous and next one.
- In order to start early, you will need to follow a routine.
- This routine should include at least a half hour a day to work on the applications.
- If an entire application is submitted with finesse within the very first week of the start date, board members will be duly impressed by the due diligence.
- Accept Help
- Help can come in many forms; it is important not to limit yourself with unnecessary restrictions.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help if you’re unsure about how to go about the process.
- Usually, there will be a career counsellor that you can speak to.
- Before visiting the counsellor, make a list of all the questions that you’d like to ask.
- There are no wrong or dumb questions, if there is any doubt whatsoever, it should be clarified. At the end of the day, this is your future in question.
- Ask teachers or professors for help as they’ve been through a similar process.
- When going on college tours, befriend a few students who are studying the same course that you’re interested in.
- If they’re willing, read how their SOP’s were written and what pertinent information was included.
- Join online groups to interact with more people so that all insecurities and doubts can be put to rest.
- It never hurts to be extremely well prepared for any eventualities.
- Keep this in mind when wondering about top tips to help you write a literary essay.
- Be Original
- Board members are probably going through hundreds of applications a day.
- It is easy to write the same thing that has been used throughout the years, but this will only lead to your application being put in the rejection pile.
- You have to ensure that your application stands out from all those hundreds that they receive.
- It has to have the reader hooked from the very beginning to end.
- For any application to be successful, it has to be original and innovative.
- This is not very easy to do which is why starting early will give you an opportunity to experiment with multiple ideas.
- Do not be afraid to take a few risks. It will not only showcase your interest, but it will allow you to stand out from the rest.
- The easiest way to avoid some rookie mistakes is to read your friends essays and have them read yours. This way avoiding overused ideas will be easy, and you will also have a clearer idea of how to go about writing the essay.
- Your aim should be getting into college, and you must have a plan. So, when writing the essay do not lose track of your goal.
- State goals and ambitions clearly and assure the reader of your dedication to a cause.
- Revise and Rewrite
- The first draft is never the easiest or the prettiest.
- There are multiple revisions that need to be done.
- Each revision should include a grammar and spell check.
- Remove any unnecessary sentences that do not add to the weight of your applications.
- Do not exceed the word limits. Try to balance it out between the minimum and maximum word count.
- Write multiple drafts and have it proofread by at least two people.
- Be open to people’s ideas and try to incorporate the good ones into your essay.
- Hard work and efficiency eventually pay
- Many students have had bleak CV’s and grades, but have gotten through their dream universities simply because of their hard-hitting
For many students, depending on the course they’re applying for, their college application essay could be a make or break situation. The trick to writing a convincing essay that wins over the faculty is to be honest and true to yourself.
Allow your best attributes and qualities to shine through. It takes time, effort, thought and determination. With the right mindset, your dream college may only be an essay away.