College admission officers spend so much time rifling through hundreds of applications that after awhile, they all start to look the same. Keep in mind that this essay shouldn’t be repeating anything that is already on your application – this isn’t the place to list your accolades or discuss your GPA – it should be something entirely new. Here are five tips to help set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool:
- Tell them who you are
This essay is the first step in introducing yourself to the admission officers. It is a way to show how your mind works, how you view the world and how you are able to communicate it to people. Don’t tell them outright that you are passionate about community service, show it to them by showcasing personal anecdotes. You should present yourself as a passionate, curious individual. Write about something that matters to you as it shows character. Any friend of yours who reads this essay, should know that it embodies you.
- Use vocabulary that you know
If you use any essay writing service in Canada, there will be a possibility that you will not sound like yourself. This will reflect poorly on you if the college of your choice decides to conduct an interview as part of the application process. We recommend that you write how you would speak, because then your unique “voice” would be present. Using SAT words and tough vocabulary will only make your essay sound stiff and unpersonable; don’t pretend to be someone you are not.
- Write concisely
Less is always more. Succinct sentences are better than long, flowery ones. This is because run-on sentences take longer attention spans – of which people tend to not have. If your writing is concise and engaging, people will not scan or go away, they will pay attention and read. Mini anecdotes naturally grab the reader’s attention and it is an easy way to involve them in the story. An additional tip is to write out what you are thinking and then formatting and summarizing it for the essay.
- Organize your writing
Analyze the prompt thoroughly and follow the instructions. A simple outline will help organize your thoughts and help you decide the flow within paragraphs. It is important that all the paragraphs connect with each other, because then the arguments will make sense. The outline will also help you determine how long the essay will be and this is especially helpful if you have a word limit. It is helpful to start early and write several drafts, because changing real-life experiences may have an impact on what you choose to write and how you write it.
- Read it out loud
The most valuable advice a college professor once gave me was to read my essay out loud to find errors. This method proved better than giving drafts to multiple people to edit, because they will all have clashing opinions. Reading your essay out loud will show which sentences are awkward or too long or just need changing in general. Self awareness is key.
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