What Are Some Do's and Don'ts for College Admissions Essays?

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Whom may concern,
My name is Nadia Clement and I am a student at Nassau Community College. I would like to transfer to Molloy College to get my bachelor degree for the Nursing Program for Fall 2013.
I choose this school because is the one of the best Nursing's school where I can put all my confidence and energy to learn. This is my dream to joint this team at Molloy College. If you give me this opportunity to to learn to joint this team, you will never regret it. I am waiting for your answer with impatient.I hope to get
Thank you for your comprehension.
Sincerely,
Nadia Clement

Nadia Clement of NY 12:16AM March 18, 2013

Very helpful article thanks US News for posting this. :)

Reema of CA 4:35PM November 11, 2012

When writing the college essay, even the most distinguished applicants worry about how to set themselves apart. I suggest the following exercise: start with a general statement about what you want to communicate in your essay, such as “I want to be a doctor because I love studying the human body.” Repeatedly ask yourself “why?” to get deeper and deeper into your own interests and motivations. For example, “Why do I love studying the human body?” Perhaps you are amazed by the human body’s ability to heal or adapt after traumatic injury. Again, ask “why?” This might lead you to reflect on your own experience overcoming a stress fracture from competitive ballroom dancing, your admiration for an athlete such as one-handed pitcher Jim Abbot, or your fascination with the potential of cord blood stem cell treatment to treat cerebral palsy. Every “why” will probably lead you to several answers, so write all of your ideas down and then choose the most personally meaningful ones. Hopefully, this line of questioning will help you understand your own goals and write more introspective and revealing sentences, such as “My interest in orthopedic surgery was inspired by the compassionate care I received from Dr. Steven Andrews after tearing my ACL and the inspiring autobiography of one-handed pitcher Jim Abbot.” If you end up with a sentence that makes me want to read more and that only you could have written, then you’ve succeeded! Check out www.thehonesteditor.com for more help.

Jennifer Millman of NY 9:50PM November 02, 2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-s-schwartz/five-reason-why-common-app_b_1669480.html
This was a really good article in the Huff Post college page. Totally worth reading if you're about to start your common app essay.

Robert of NY 9:46PM July 22, 2012

Awesome post! I like "Answer posts" the most!!! Thank you man!

John Rachet of NC 8:01AM June 15, 2012

Forwarding an excerpt of collegiate intentions may or may not help, huh?
Early this same year I cut and copied Texas Tech into my notes segment of my e-mail provider.
Before that, I wrote as to why Texas Tech would be ideal. Schematics eschewed from Governor Perry either boast or accentuate reform within Texases borders.
Having one parent in Florida and another in Texas haven't sculpted or molded any more than ambition.So to stay hopeful is my key ingrediant.

Danton of WA 12:33PM November 10, 2011

They need to stop caring about the ACT score so much and be just based on GPA

asiyeh of AL 11:54PM November 02, 2011

Great post. We loved this bit of advice:
"Don't search for the topic of which they've never heard. You are the only original topic, so your primary goal is to let colleges know what you care about and why."
As hard as it is for applicants do--and it doesn't seem to get much easier for those applying to MBA programs and residency/fellowship programs--people must learn to first 'just write.' Editing comes much later...after capturing the right experience, language and tone.
In many graduate school applications, questions become more specific and targeted, which demands outright 'positioning' from applicants. The tough thing about the CommonApp main essay is that, on the surface at least, authenticity and self-reflection are valued more. This is GREAT news for high school writers.
You don't need to rebuild a village, save a life or invent an Iphone app. You are more than your experience. "You are the only original topic."
Cheers,
Ivy Eyes Editing

Ivy Eyes Editing of CA 10:16AM November 02, 2011