TAKING RISKS
Common Application Essay
9/17
• Anecdote: a short story about an interesting
or funny event or occurrence.
– Synonyms: story, tale, narrative, or incident
• This essay is a personal narrative called
“Taking Risks.”
What is the big deal?
• Why is the essay such an important part of the
application?
• How can it help you?
• How can it hurt you?
Option 1
• Some students have a background or story
that is so central to their identity that they
believe their application would be incomplete
without it. If this sounds like you, then please
share your story.
Option 2
• Recount an incident or time when you
experienced failure. How did it affect you, and
what lessons did you learn?
Option 3
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal
or informal, that marked your transition from
childhood to adulthood within your culture,
community, or family.
Common Application
• 500+ schools
• www.commonapp.org
• Check to see if your schools are on the list.
Your Schools
• Compare the school’s essay to the three
options.
• PITT
• In 7,000 characters or less, describe a
situation where things were working against
you. What did you handle well and what
would you change if you had to do it over?
Your Schools
• Compare the school’s essay to the three options.
• PENN STATE
• Personal Statement – Please tell us something
about yourself, your experiences, or activities that
you believe would reflect positively on your ability
to succeed at Penn State. This statement is your
opportunity to tell us something about yourself that
is not already reflected in your application or
academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words
or fewer.
Your Schools
• Compare the school’s essay to the three options.
• CAL U
• Describe the world you come from — for
example, your family, community or school —
and tell us how your world has shaped your
dreams and aspirations.
Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
1. All three of the essay options ask you to
express personal growth.
2. Focus on one risk/challenge to develop
an anecdote.
3. Select your story wisely. If you don’t
care, no one else will!
Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
4. Parts of an essay = parts of a story
–A. Introduction = exposition
–B. Body = rising action, climax, and
falling action( details or examples)
–C. Conclusion= resolution
• All writing should have a beginning,
middle, and end.
Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
5. Use first person (I) as if you are actually
speaking. Do no use second person (you);
do not command the reader.
6. Keep the tense consistent! Present/past
will depend on essay itself.
7. Use natural but descriptive language.
– Paint a picture of yourself with words.
– Show not tell
– Avoid Clichés
Exercise in Revision
• 8.Emphasize action verbs and active voice.
– Action Verbs:
• The student is hard working.
• The student works hard.
– Active Voice:
• The essay was written by a student.
• The student wrote the essay.
Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
9. Revise carefully. Lack of effort and ability look
the same on paper.
10. Essay is due Wednesday, October 1.
– A. MLA format
• Times New Roman, 12 point font, double space
• Heading: Student, Teacher, Class, Date
– B. 250-650 words/1-3 pages
– C. Email or paper copy
– D. THERE IS NO LETTER d. 
• See Wiki for template and emailing instructions.
Where to begin…
• Prewriting:
– Graphic Organizers
– Outline
– Free writing
Reflection
•
•
•
•
Drafting
Editing/Revising
Polishing
Completing 
Result
Risk
Reaction
Action
Options
• Begin essay….
– Check for your schools on the website
– Www.commonapp.org
– Compare the essays to the prompts of your
potential schools
• Read “Blackheart” in the Close Reader
– Page 99
– Questions 1-12 including short response