E
ven though it’s summer, instead of spending your days watching Netflix and lounging by the pool, your time would be best spent by taking some time to prepare for upcoming college application essays.
Don’t wait until September or October when you are stressed out with homework, sports, and other extra-curricular activities. Now is the time to write your essays so you have more time to think of topics and important achievements, edit and proofread your drafts, work with a mentor on writing, and get all your ideas out on paper. The common application essay questions are already available on admissions websites, which means you have more time to draft an essay.
Here’s how to take advantage of this and make your summer really count:
Create your list of schools & find out their essay requirements
Before you start your essay, create a list of the schools to which you want to apply. Not every school has the common application essay prompt, so be sure to separate the ones that don’t have it on your list – you don’t want to do the wrong essay!
Jot down your accomplishments & achievements
Write a list of your biggest accomplishments and achievements. This is your time to brag so don’t be shy!
Did you win the state championship this year? Did you get a perfect score on your hardest test? Did you solve a problem that had been bothering you for quite some time? Finding out what you’re most proud of can be helpful when figuring out which prompt to write about.
Determine what best topics might be
Have your surroundings or situation at home strongly influenced your beliefs or a path you have taken? Each of us has our own unique set of circumstances and surroundings that often have a profound influence in shaping our lives. Determine what is important to you, share a failure, or talk about a time you challenged an idea. Find more topics on our “The College Admissions Essay: Coming Up With a Topic” blog post.
Find a mentor to guide you through the revising & editing process
Ask someone to proofread your essay and work with you on revising your essay. Some teachers may be available in the summer to help out.
Tutors are also available to help you organize your thoughts into a clear and cohesive essay. If Educational Connections can be of assistance in this process, give us a call today and we can work on finding the right tutor match for you.
Check out these resources on writing your best essay:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/8-tips-for-crafting-your-best-college-essay
https://www.petersons.com/college-search/college-application-head-start.aspx
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