Assignment: Write an essay of at least 500 words that responds to one of
the prompts from the Common Application (listed below).
Saltz's Advisory: due Friday, 1/4
McCartney's Advisory: due Tuesday, 1/8
Requirements:
- Your final essay should be double-spaced in size 12 Times New Roman font.
- Include a header with your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of each page.
- Type the question to which you are responding at the top of the essay.
- Email you essay to mccartneychs@gmail.com as a .doc or .docx file. The name of the file should be your last name and personal statement. (Minaj Personal Statement.docx)
- You will be graded on format, writing conventions, focus, content and organization.
Common Application Personal Essay Prompt (www.commonapp.org)
Personal Essay:
Please write an essay on a topic of your choice or on one of the options
listed below, and attach it to your application before submission. Please
indicate your topic by checking the appropriate box. This personal essay helps
us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses,
grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your
ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.
- Evaluate a
significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical
dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
- Discuss some
issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its
importance to you.
- Indicate a
person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that
influence.
- Describe a character
in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music,
science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
- A range of
academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much
to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an
experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a
college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of
diversity to you.
- Topic of
your choice.
Tips and Ideas for Writing a College Essay
The personal essay is a
“journey of thought” essay more than an essay with a thesis statement. Using your anecdotes (small moments)
will show the reader what kind of person you are. The reader should be able to “hear” you thinking.
A.
Structure #1 for your essay could be:
·
Introduction/context/pondering
on theme
·
Anecdote (your
small moment)
·
Reflection/insight
B.
Structure #2
for your essay could be the same as the one above but you would add an
additional anecdote that has a slight difference to it.
·
Introduction/context/pondering
on theme
·
Anecdote
·
Small reflection
or insight
·
Anecdote
·
Added insight
and new reflection
C.
Structure #3
for the essay could be where you bring the reader right into the story then
come out and reflect.
·
Anecdote
·
Reflection and
insight
Be specific – Don’t just say you are
hardworking, provide an example that demonstrates your effort.
Concentrate on your opening paragraph – The lead or opening
paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the
reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the
rest of the statement.
Don't include some subjects – There are certain things
best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or
accomplishments earlier than high school are generally not a good idea. Don't
mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial
religious or political issues).
Write well and correctly – Be meticulous and
fastidious. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions
officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language
are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly
and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.
Avoid clichés – A medical school applicant
who writes that he is good at science and wants to help other people is not
exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from often-repeated or banal statements.
