by Erin Carr

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: September 10, 2009

As a writing tutor, I read hundreds of college application essays each year. The following tips will help you create an essay that you can feel confident about sending off to the college or university of your choice.

SLOW YOUR ROLL: So many students think that their admissions essay is going to make or break their chances of getting in to the college they want. This simply isn't the case. While it is most definitely important to create a well-crafted, well-written essay that's been carefully thought out and edited, this is just one part of a much larger whole. College admissions counselors will look at the total picture, the overall package you present. They will consider your high school academic record, your extracurricular and volunteer activities, your letters of recommendation, and your application essay. A great essay will not grant you automatic admission nor will a less than stellar essay ruin your chances, so relax and let go of some of that pressure you're feeling. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to write an effective essay once you take a deep breath!

ANSWER THE QUESTION: I review dozens of essays every week and the biggest pitfall I see is that students are so eager to present themselves in a positive light that they ignore the essay prompt altogether. It's understandable that you'd want to write about how you spent your spring break saving endangered mosquitoes in the Amazon or how your clothing drive collected enough skinny jeans and trucker hats for every last refugee in Darfur, but if the essay is asking you to write about why you want to pursue a career in accounting these noble pursuits won't have any relevance. You can't make a square peg fit in a round hole, no matter how good that square peg makes you look. One of the main reasons colleges want applicants to write essays is to see if they have the ability to follow direction and think critically. Be sure you have read and fully understand the essay prompt before you begin writing. This will ensure that you are demonstrating your ability to answer a question thoughtfully, completely, and with a clear writing style, which is what colleges are looking for. The rest of your application will speak for itself.

SHORTCUTS SUCK: Unless you're using the common app (a single admissions application that is accepted by several different colleges), you should write an original essay for each application you fill out. Yes, it's a pain to have a stack of five or six applications in front of you

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>