English 12 Mr. DiLeo
Task: Write a college-application essay, preferably for a college to which you are applying.
Requirements:
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Typed, size 12, Times New Roman, double-spaced
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Satisfy the essay question required by your prospective college
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Adhere to the word limit set by your college o If selecting from the topics supplied in this packet, your essay must be between
250-650 words ( There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this!
)
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Be written in an engaging style
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Be submitted via Google Docs/Drive and sharable with Mr. DiLeo. You must allow Mr.
DiLeo permission to edit your writing. Access Google Docs through Gmail.
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Be taken through 2 drafts*, each submitted via Google Docs
 Go beyond Mr. DiLeo’s direct edits/suggestions and consciously improve your work
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Optional: Meet one-on-one with Mr. D. to discuss revisions
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Be graded throughout drafting on your use/appreciation of the process—take it seriously.
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Be graded on the final draft on content, narrative technique, resonance, and grammar/conventions
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Adhere to due dates
*NOTE: You may want to take your essay through additional drafts before submitting to your prospective college. Please meet with Mr. DiLeo to discuss.
What to think about before writing:
First:
From the colleges to which you are applying, select one of those colleges’ mandatory essay topics. Be sure you understand what the question is asking, what the expectation is, and what the word limit is.
If you are not going to college or your college does not require an essay, please select one of the topics below:
Note: These are taken from the Common Application:
1.
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

English 12 Mr. DiLeo
2.
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3.
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?
Would you make the same decision again?
4.
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5.
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, which marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Remember what you learned from crafting your narrative essay:
Show, don’t tell .
Give the reader experiences.
Create writing that resonates.
Advice:
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Feel free to cull ideas (and phrasing, even whole paragraphs) from your narrative essay, if the writing is appropriate to the essay topic.
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You must adhere to the word minimum and maximum. Failure to meet either expectation is an automatic failing grade of 50/100.
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Keep in mind that the admissions people are student-centered. They want to help you find the right fit where you can flourish. They are people persons. Let your words speak to them.
 The admissions people may read dozens of essays a day: Don’t waste their time.
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Colleges don’t simply want the brightest students—they want the most interesting people who will make a contribution to the incoming class.
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Let your unique voice shine.
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Get personal: Be vibrant and engaging.
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Tread carefully with topics about death/disease/trauma. o The college wants to know what you will bring to their institution, how you will help round out the incoming class. A traumatic experience that helped you mature might not allow the admissions committee to get a completely dynamic perspective on who you are, and what you might bring to their institution.
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Be detailed: Do not generalize.
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Be unique/interesting/even funny! Let your personality shine through.
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Be honest: They will see through your lies/aggrandizing.

English 12 Mr. DiLeo

Tell a story. Use narration and narrative summary.
 Don’t make grand pronouncements about Man or the world. Stick to you.
 Don’t be dull, but don’t be so ridiculous your readers can’t take you seriously.
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Mind the mechanics. Sloppy work will NOT get you admitted.
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Write something of which you can be proud.
Final Note: None of you is going to mature suddenly into an astonishing writer. That is not expected nor should it be. We only have a brief time together, but we must try our best. It is the process that matters far more than the product . Take pride in crafting and polishing your writing.
Learn to value the writing process and you will become a better writer. You may want to take your essay through numerous drafts, particularly if you are aiming for a specific school.
Due Dates: Title both drafts accordingly: LAST NAME – College Essay – Draft #
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October 13, 2015: 50pts o First Draft, submitted via Google Docs sharable “Can Edit” with christopher.dileo@marlboroschools.org (Draft 1)
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November 12, 2015: 100pts o Second and final draft, submitted via Google Docs . . . (Draft 2) o Graded according to rubric (attached)
Late Penalties:
For every day late, you will lose 10 points on the draft that is due.
Craft writing that works.
It’ll get you into college.