A blank page can be intimidating. Knowing what you want to write about and beginning the essay can be the most challenging step. Write about what you know, what resonates with you and your life experiences, and not what you think colleges want to see. Your college essay is about showcasing who you are. Being authentic is more important than anything else.
Before drafting the essay, it is important to work on preliminary steps to formulate your storyline. One suggestion is to follow Team Tutor’s “first steps” to begin the process. Once you have finished the pre-writing steps and have generated some thoughts and ideas, it is time to select your prompt or your topic. Using your prompt or topic as your guide, plug in the results of your “first steps” to develop an outline and organize your thoughts.
Here is a detailed list of how to begin the essay:
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- Understand the Prompt: Read the prompt carefully, making sure you understand the question. Select a prompt that allows you to showcase your character and unique experiences.
- Demonstrate You Can Write: Colleges want to see that you have a command of the basics of good writing, which is a key component of success in college.
- Open Strong: Write an attention-grabbing opening or “hook” to immediately capture the reader’s imagination, creating interest and curiosity. These are some ideas for openers:
- A vivid scene: Describe a moment that encapsulates your story or serves as a turning point.
- A personal anecdote: a compelling story or a moment of action.
- A bold statement or provocative question: Start with something intriguing that makes the reader think.
- Focus on You: Write about a subject that is personal and particular to you. Your essay will be easier to write-and more exciting to read-if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Admissions counselors want to learn something about you that they would never know from reading the rest of the application.
- Answer the Prompt: Provide a direct answer to the prompt while staying with your narrative. Maintain a clear theme throughout, ensuring your opening leads into the rest of the narrative. Answer the prompt by presenting who you are, showcasing your personality, interests, goals, and achievements. Demonstrate your qualities and what you’ve learned, rather than simply stating them.
- Stay True to Your Voice: Write in your natural voice, using genuine thoughts and feelings to connect with the reader. Use vocabulary that is comfortable and familiar.
- Be Specific and Factual: Describe real-life experiences. Explain why a particular achievement meant so much to you. Try not to exaggerate or embellish.
- Proofread, Edit, & Refine: First, read your essay aloud. Make sure it makes sense and it is what you want to say. Proofread several times. Correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling errors. Ask a teacher or parent to read the essay.
- Keep Track of Length: Admissions officers value succinctness. Avoid repetition. Remember to pay attention to the recommended essay length or word count of 450 to 650 words.
- Reference future goals: Reflect on how your experiences have shaped you and influenced your future goals, showing admissions officers where you’re headed.
Team Tutor’s team of experts understand the process and will assist students in composing a well-written, unique essay. Team Tutor offers a comprehensive, step-by-step program to assist students in writing their college application essays.
Team Tutor offers a full range of academic tutoring, test prep, and study skills services, including executive functioning support, for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Call us today at 215-657-1981 or visit www.teamtutor.com.