YOUR ESSAY

1. Pay particular attention to directions regarding length, style and format.

2. The college application asks one basic thing - - who are you and what makes

you different from all those other qualified applicants. Whatever your answer

to the question - - shed light on your values, opinions and talents.

3. Read and answer what is asked.

Three areas of consideration:

1. Good English, spelling, grammar, syntax and usage
2. Content of your answer - - logic, manner of expression
3. Creativity

Things to consider:

1. Writing the essay is supposed to be difficult.

2. Your strengths and weaknesses should come out if applicable.

3. How am I different from my friends and classmates.

4. There are no right and wrong answers.

5. College readers know when someone else is responsible for the answer.

6. Before you try and start to write, go off by yourself and think. Give yourself a chance to retrieve experiences, memories and/or feelings you may want to write about.

7. Write a first draft - - let it sit for a while. Go back and re-read it. Make corrections. Give it to someone else to read, but don’t let them rewrite it for you.

8. Your writing should be crisp and positive. “Look at me.”

9. A strong first paragraph is important.

10. You probably should avoid issues of a global nature, like World Peace, unless you have interned at the United Nations and can make a personal observation.