ESSAY WRITING HINTS:
1. You might want to review the following texts:
Hayden, Thomas C. Handbook for College
Admissions
Moll, Richard.
Playing the Private College Admissions Game
Curry and Kasbar. Essays
that Worked
2. Whatever other advice you get, be yourself.
3. Respond to the topic suggested and stay within the length recommended.
Imagine
yourself as the admissions officer.
4. Use the essay to elaborate on something which is not otherwise evident
in
reading your application (i.e.. a talent, interest,
political view, or
achievement).
5. Address your weaknesses by making them implicit strengths.
6. Write a different essay for each school. They are looking for
“M&M”
(Match and Merit)
7. Generally speaking, the admissions office is looking for evidence
of
a) ability b)motivation, c)creativity,
d)self-discipline, and e) growth potential.
8. Don’t procrastinate. Write this essay as though a small part
of your life depended on it.
9. Don’t be too grave.
10. Write it or type it yourself. Don’t end up as a packaged product.
Admissions officers can tell!
11. “The thicker the file, the thicker the candidate.”
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
When you ask teachers for letters of recommendation, consider the following:
1. Ask someone who knows you well and who can communicate that
knowledge.
2. Ask well ahead of time, and ask whether the teacher feels (s)he can
be
positive.
3. Provide an envelope long with the correct forms filled out fully
for your
part of the information.
4. Provide a resume of your accomplishments so that the teacher can
add
background to the letter.
5. Waive your rights. Teachers will write more.
6. Make sure you ask politely if the letter has been completed about
a week
before the deadline. “Mr. X, I want to thank you
for writing my letter to
Skidless U. I’m just checking today to see if my file is
complete. Have you
had a chance to get to the letter?”
7. Give appropriate thanks. Your senior teachers usually spend
hours writing
these letters on your behalf, and a word of thanks (a real note)
or other small,
tangible gift is a simple courtesy. This isn’t crass self
interest-just a reminder
of the “things your mother taught you” about saying thank you.
Adapted from Tim Averill, AP Course Material