Writing Your College Admissions
Essay
What is a College Admissions
Essay?
• Also called a Personal Statement
• An essay that helps the college
admissions board better understand who
you are
• Focuses on who you are vs. what you’ve
done
What a College Admissions
Essay is NOT
• A resumé or list of what you’ve done
Top 10 Things Colleges Look
For in a High School Student
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Challenging classes (AP/Honors/College Classes)
Good grades
Good test scores (ACT/SAT)
Demonstration of leadership/initiative
Community service
Work or out-of-school experiences (demonstrates
responsibility, dedication, and maturity)
7. Well written admissions essay
8. Good letters of recommendation
(integrity/skills/character)
9. Supplementary recommendations
10. Things that make you stand out
(honors/awards/talents/experiences)
Follow Directions
• Read and follow directions carefully.
• Answer all parts of the writing prompt.
• Adhere to word count limits.
• UC system = 1,000 words for 2 essays
• Approximately 750 words for one essay
• About 2 typed pages (1 inch margins, doublespaced)
• Approximately 250 words for the other essay
• About ¾ typed page (1 inch margins, doublespaced)
Bloopers From College
Essays
•If there was a single word to describe me,
that word would be “profectionist”
• I was abducted into the national honor
society
•I want to be bilingual in three or more
languages
• I would love to attend a college where the
foundation was built on women
Personal Inventory
College Admissions Essay