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Jul 16, 2020 · Learn from real college essay examples that worked for top universities. Find tips, prompts, and stories for personal statements, supplemental essays, and more.
- This is a college essay that worked for Harvard University. (Note: Learn about how to get into Harvard undergrad) This past summer, I had the privilege of participating in the University of Notre Dame’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program .
- This student was admitted to Harvard University. I believe that humans will always have the ability to rise above any situation, because life is what you make of it.
- This is a college essay that worked for Duke University. (Note: Learn about how to get into Duke) As soon as the patient room door opened, the worst stench I have ever encountered hit me square in the face.
- This student was admitted to Stanford University. (Note: Learn about how to get into Stanford undergrad) (Note: This is a supplemental essay example)
- Analysis of The Scrapbook Essay (OR) Five Things We Can Steal from This Essay
- Use Objects and Images Instead of Adjectives
- Engage The Reader’s Imagination Using All Five Senses
- The Set-Up Should Be Super Clear
- Show Then Tell
- Provide Insight
- Trim The Fat.
- Split Long Sentences with Complex Ideas Into Two.
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
A great thinker once said “Good artists borrow; great artists steal.” I’m not even going to tell you who said it; I’m stealing it.
Check out the opening paragraph of the Scrapbook essay again. It reads like the opening to a movie. Can you visualize what’s happening? That’s good. Take a look at the particular objects the writer chose: Let’s zoom in on the “faded Levi’s.” What does "faded" suggest? (She keeps clothes for a long time; she likes to be comfortable.) What does "Levi...
This writer did. Did you notice? 1. Fireplace (feel) 2. Brother’s hot cocoa (taste, smell) 3. Pitter patter of rain (sound) 4. Biggest photograph (sight) And there’s something else she did that’s really smart. Did you notice how clearly she set up the idea of the scrapbook at the beginning of the essay? Look at the last sentence of the second parag...
Even a personal statementcan have a thesis. It’s important to remember that, though your ending can be somewhat ambiguous—something we’ll discuss more later—your set-up should give the reader a clear sense of where we’re headed. It doesn’t have to be obvious, and you can delay the thesis for a paragraph or two (as this writer does), but at some poi...
Has your English teacher ever told you “Show, don’t tell?” That’s good advice, but for a college essayI believe it’s actually better to show THEN tell. Why? Two reasons: 1.) Showing before telling gives your reader a chance to interpret the meaning of your images before you do. Why is this good? It provides a little suspense. Also, it engages the r...
What is insight? In simple terms, it’s a deeper intuitive understanding of a person or thing. But here’s a more useful definition for your college essay: Insight is something that you’ve noticed about the world that others may have missed. Insight answers the question: So what? It's proof that you’re a close observer of the world. That you’re sens...
Here’s a 40-word sentence. Can you cut it in half without changing the meaning? Wait, actually try cutting this (in your mind) before scrolling down. See how concise you can get it. (No, really.) Okay, here’s one way to revise it: There. Half the words and retains the meaning.
This may sound contrary to the first point but it ain’t. Why? Sometimes we’re just trying to pack too much into the same sentence. Check this one out: That’s a lot for one sentence, eh? This sentence is what I’d call “top heavy.” It has a lot of important information in the first half–so much, in fact, that I need a break before I can take in the b...
Learn from college admissions officers and essay experts how to write a good college essay. Find out their advice on topics, structure, style, and more.
Jul 24, 2024 · Step 0: choose a structure. By “structure,” we mean what you’ll use to organize your essay’s content in a way that helps your reader understand clearly and easily. We’ll talk through two structural options below: “montage” and “narrative.”. Some quick definitions:
Nov 19, 2021 · Learn how to write a compelling Common App essay by reading seven effective examples and their analysis. Each essay responds to one of the seven prompts and showcases the student's background, identity, interest, talent, challenge, or achievement.
- The Common App essay is your primary writing sample within the Common Application, a college application portal accepted by more than 900 schools....
- When writing your Common App essay , choose a prompt that sparks your interest and that you can connect to a unique personal story. No matter which...
- To decide on a good college essay topic , spend time thoughtfully answering brainstorming questions. If you still have trouble identifying topics,...
- A standout college essay has several key ingredients: A unique, personally meaningful topic A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intri...
Oct 12, 2021 · Learn how to write a strong college essay by reading examples of successful applications from different schools and prompts. See how students use storytelling, humor, reflection, and more to showcase their personality and achievements.
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Learn how to write a great college essay by reading the essays of students who got into top schools. See how they use storytelling, voice, and structure to showcase their personality and achievements.
