College and Scholarship
Application Essays:
A Reader and Teacher’s View
Palmer High School
Molly Wingate, Wingate Consulting LLC
molly@wingate-consulting.com 719-685-4114
Most frequently asked questions
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Can’t I just write one
essay?
How seriously do I
have to take writing
an essay?
How can I put
everything I have to
say into one page?
But they didn’t ask
about “X” – where
can I put that?
Take the writing sections seriously.
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Even when you have the qualifications for the school, program
or scholarship, your essays carry a great deal of weight.
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Expect to write a different essay for each application form.
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Plan to draft and revise at least three times for each
application.
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Plan to do a good job on the short answer questions, too.
• If there is a big difference between the long and short
answers, reviewers assume either that you did not write the
long piece or that you are not careful.
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Set yourself a schedule; get your applications in early.
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This is not just an assignment from “them,” this is part of
reaching your goal, so quit whining.
Rule Number Only
Answer the
questions
directly and
completely.
What do the application essay
questions ask?
Admission Essay Questions
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Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your
transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or
family.
Are there any significant experiences you have had or accomplishments
you have realized that have helped to define you as a person?
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Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect
you, and what lessons did you learn?
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Choose a book, musical piece or artistic piece that is of special interest
and importance to you and explain why.
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Write an essay explaining your primary academic focus and what you see
yourself doing in 5 years.
Scholarship Essay Questions
In 700 words, explain the
importance of milk to
you.
Explain how sportsmanship
and academic
excellence have been
part of your life.
What recent advancement
in neuroscience most
interests you? Why?
Getting the Essays Done Well
Writing as a process
publishing
prewriting
editing
getting feedback
writing
rewriting
Plan, Draft, Revise
Envision your Audience by answering
these questions.
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Who will read your essays?
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What is their point of view?
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What are they looking for?
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What do they need to learn about
applicants to make their decision?
Get clear about your Purpose by
answering these questions.
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What do you want to communicate?
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What is your main message for each essay?
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How do you want to sound?
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Is there anything about your record or
background that you want to explain?
Key your essay to the goals and
interests of your audience.
Scholarships
 Give evidence that you have thought about
how you exemplify what they fund.
Honors Programs
 Prove that you understand their purpose and
show how you will contribute.
Colleges
 Mention majors they have that interest you.
Be aware of special schedules or programs.
Distinguish yourself
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What makes you perfect for this school or
scholarship?
•
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Go back a few years to find the seeds of the match
between you and the school, field of study, or
scholarship granter.
Find a fresh way to talk about your interest in
their school or scholarship.
Leadership is better than membership. SO
MENTION IT
Revise your essay
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Plan to revise your essay several times.
Read it to someone else to see if you have
communicated according to your plan.
Rewrite general or cliché statements to
reflect you, specifically you.
Use concrete, specific examples of when you
have demonstrated the qualities you say you
have: hard working, dedicated to community
service, interested in biology, prepared for a
rigorous course of study, a good citizen.
Edit Your Essays
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Make sure your
essays are without
errors.
Carefully and neatly
fill out the forms that
the school or group
provides.
Send it in on time or
early.
When I reviewed application
essays, I thought about:
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How does this person fit into this
school/program/scholarship?
Is this person ready to do the writing
required at this school?
Has this person thought about what
he/she wants to tell me?
Can I cut this person from the list?
What catches the attention of
readers ?
Bad things readers notice
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General, one-size-fits-all responses
Generalizations and clichés
Too casual in tone, as if the writer isn’t serious
Stuffy tone with a pretentious vocabulary, as if the writer
is trying to sound smarter than he or she is
Discrepancies in the quality of writing between the short
answer and longer essay questions
Applications that demonstrated that the writer had not
read the application materials
Excuses about test scores or grades
Errors: typos as well as grammatical or usage errors.
Good things readers notice
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Fresh approach that was directed to the
school, program or scholarship
Answered the questions directly and in order
Specific, interesting details
Well-crafted essay structure
Authentic voice, solid vocabulary
No excuses, but helpful explanations for
glitches
Carefully edited and proofread throughout
Focus on the good things