There are several factors, including grades and test scores, which are far more important to admissions committees than essays. But, particularly at top tier institutions, essays can make the difference between a student getting a thick or a thin envelope from the admissions office.
In fact, some colleges use essays merely to ensure that applicants can write acceptably. The Harvard's, Yale's, and Princeton's of the world may view essays with far more discerning eyes.
Almost never will an essay, however good, compensate for sub par academic achievement. And, offering excuses for mediocre academic performance is seldom a good idea. As a professor with whom I served on an admissions committee used to say, "Everyone's grandmother dies". Promising to earn a 4.0 GPA, score touchdowns, or become a wealthy and generous alumnus will not help either.
What a good essay can do, however, is give you a chance to talk to an admissions committee. Take advantage of it by:
1. Expressing yourself to the best of your ability. Write, rewrite and edit until you are fully satisfied with the result. Then, ask someone who writes well to critique your work and make a final revision.
2. Talking about yourself honestly. In fact, talking about an instance in which you learned from a mistake or by falling short of a goal may well make you both more likeable and more credible (especially if there is a "happy ending").
3. Taking great care to avoid sounding boastful while outlining any major accomplishments which do not appear on your other application materials.
5. Staying away from the kinds of statements beauty queens make about their love of America, God, and humanity.
It is not necessary to go for the home run. Just remember the tips listed above and a few of the basics; write clearly and thoughtfully, be honest, demonstrate insight, and know your audience.
In fact, some colleges use essays merely to ensure that applicants can write acceptably. The Harvard's, Yale's, and Princeton's of the world may view essays with far more discerning eyes.
Almost never will an essay, however good, compensate for sub par academic achievement. And, offering excuses for mediocre academic performance is seldom a good idea. As a professor with whom I served on an admissions committee used to say, "Everyone's grandmother dies". Promising to earn a 4.0 GPA, score touchdowns, or become a wealthy and generous alumnus will not help either.
What a good essay can do, however, is give you a chance to talk to an admissions committee. Take advantage of it by:
1. Expressing yourself to the best of your ability. Write, rewrite and edit until you are fully satisfied with the result. Then, ask someone who writes well to critique your work and make a final revision.
2. Talking about yourself honestly. In fact, talking about an instance in which you learned from a mistake or by falling short of a goal may well make you both more likeable and more credible (especially if there is a "happy ending").
3. Taking great care to avoid sounding boastful while outlining any major accomplishments which do not appear on your other application materials.
5. Staying away from the kinds of statements beauty queens make about their love of America, God, and humanity.
It is not necessary to go for the home run. Just remember the tips listed above and a few of the basics; write clearly and thoughtfully, be honest, demonstrate insight, and know your audience.
About the Author:
Daniel Kane is an educator who has served on several admissions committees. His websites, designed for traditional students and working adults, deal with topics like online colleges, and online degrees.
0 comments:
Post a Comment