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Scholarship and College Application Essays. Purpose of the Essay. Opportunity to provide information that supports and augments other parts of the application Adds clarity, depth and meaning to information collected in other parts of the application
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Purpose of the Essay • Opportunity to provide information that supports and augments other parts of the application • Adds clarity, depth and meaning to information collected in other parts of the application • Helps readers know and understand applicants
Purpose of the Essay • The essay helps readers determine if you have the qualities that they are looking for in their applicants. • Readers receive and read thousands of essays from well rounded students with high GPA’s and numerous extra and co-curricular activities. Your job is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants.
How do I Write the Essay? • Follow the directions in the application • Get started early • Write a well crafted and error free essay • Be sincere • Ask parents, friends, relatives, teachers etc. for suggestions
How do I Write the Essay? • Avoid clichés • Show don’t tell • Avoid controversial subjects • Try not to repeat too much information from application • Avoid overused expressions such as rewarding, invaluable, beautiful etc. • Avoid the negative
REMINDER • While it is acceptable to receive feedback or helpful suggestions, applicants’ essays should reflect their own ideas andbe written by them alone.
Steps to Writing an Effective Essay Draft, Get Feedback, Revise Develop Topic and Thesis Read Critically Gather Information
Think Like a Reader • All readers have expectations of writers, revealed in readers’ questions, observations and interpretations of the application. • Writers fulfill readers’ expectations by addressing these questions, observations and interpretations in the personal statement. • Writers can anticipate readers’ expectations by completing and critically readingtheir applications prior to writing a personal statement.