| As college admissions become more and | | | | question. Give your intro an element of |
| more difficult and applicants become | | | | mystery and intrigue -- really make the |
| more and more qualified, the college | | | | reader want to read more. This could be |
| essay gains clout as a vital part of the | | | | the most important paragraph in the |
| application process. An outstanding | | | | essay, so devote plenty of time to |
| personal essay, no matter how long, is | | | | crafting this well. |
| sometimes the deciding factor for a | | | | REVEAL YOUR PERSONALITY |
| prospective student. But it's not enough | | | | Sure, admissions officials aren't your |
| to show proficiency with the written | | | | best friends and you shouldn't write as |
| word -- at least not anymore. Today's | | | | if they are. But if you get mired in |
| personal essays revolve around the sense | | | | formality, paralyzed by grammar, you |
| of personality and style gleaned from | | | | might exclude the most crucial element |
| each sentence, and it's your | | | | of your essay -- you. Colleges want to |
| responsibility to harness those | | | | know who you are and what traits make |
| elements. The following tips will get | | | | you shine, so don't be afraid to let the |
| you on your way to the acceptance pile. | | | | real you shine through. But never paint |
| BRAINSTORM EARLY | | | | yourself into an image that isn't really |
| The most important part of a college | | | | you; if you have to alter your |
| essay is the actual topic, so you need | | | | personality drastically to gain |
| plenty of time to mull over the choices. | | | | acceptance to a school, chances are good |
| You'll want something interesting, but | | | | that it's not the right school for you. |
| not cliché, significant but not trite. | | | | FORGET THE BIG WORDS...SOMETIMES |
| Consider the following questions during | | | | Showing off your massive vocabulary may |
| your brainstorming process: | | | | seem like an instant ticket to |
| 1. What distinguishes you from others in | | | | acceptance. But if you're using a |
| your age group? Any special skills, | | | | thesaurus for every word or phrase, |
| talents, interests or attributes? | | | | you're probably draining the essay of |
| 2. Have you engaged yourself in a fierce | | | | both personality and readability. Use |
| struggle for something? Did you succeed | | | | only words you'd actually use in |
| or fail? What have you learned? | | | | conversation (or, at least, words of |
| 3. What are your most concrete goals for | | | | which you know the meaning) and be |
| the future? Where do want to be in 20 | | | | sparing; big words are fine, of course, |
| years and how will you get there? | | | | but they need to make sense in context. |
| 4. What or who has been influential in | | | | Wordiness for the sake of wordiness |
| your life? How or why? | | | | doesn't make you seem smarter; it just |
| NARROW THE TOPIC | | | | seems moderately uncreative. To write in |
| Though it's tempting to ramble through | | | | Plain English, use a software program |
| your whole life story in a college | | | | like WhiteSmoke Software ( ) or |
| essay, be careful to keep your topic | | | | StyleWriter ( ). |
| narrowed. Write one sentence (a thesis, | | | | END WITH A BANG |
| in a sentence) that sums up the point of | | | | Since the college essay is usually short |
| your entire essay, and make each | | | | to begin with, concluding with a summary |
| paragraph support that one sentence. Try | | | | paragraph is fairly redundant. Instead, |
| not to get too lofty with your concept; | | | | use this paragraph to create a stunning |
| find the point and stick to it. | | | | last impression. How does your topic fit |
| FINE-TUNE THE OPENING | | | | into a larger issue? What have you |
| The opening paragraph is your first (and | | | | learned from the experience about which |
| sometimes only) chance to grab firmly | | | | you've written? Are there any poignant |
| the attention of admission officials, so | | | | quotes that illuminate your ideas? You |
| don't create a lazy intro that simply | | | | don't need to create a tidy, |
| sums up what you'll discuss. Be vivid, | | | | television-style wrap-up, but you do |
| clear and original; try piquing their | | | | need to end strongly; this is your last |
| interest with an anecdote or poignant | | | | chance to make a vivid impression. |