Every student who wants to study at a top university knows how important it is to have good school reports and test scores in order to get accepted.
However, some of them underestimate how influential an admission essay is, even though it can really make or break their enrollment.
Granted, some colleges don’t require students to submit this paper, but those that do usually give a lot of weight to it.
Typically, they sort applicants into three groups based on their grades and test results: “yes,” “no,” and “maybe.”
If you end up in the latter category, your admission essay should be good enough to convince everyone that you deserve to study at your college of choice.
Basically, you can’t just write whatever and hope for the best if you really care about your application.
Here are some tips that will help you craft a compelling admission essay that will hopefully get you a place at your dream university.
Know your audience
First things first, get as much information as you can about the application process at the institution you’re writing for.
In the USA, your admission essay will be read by members of a special committee that selects aspiring college students.
Meanwhile, in the UK, you have to write a similar paper, except they call it a personal statement.
It’s more subject-focused and is usually read by an expert in your field of study.
So, remember to check whom you’re writing to.
Pay close attention to the instructions
There’s a reason why you can find this tip in almost every writing guide: if you don’t meet the requirements, no one will read your paper, and your application will be dismissed.
When you go to college, you’ll see that this rule works for every a.
Therefore, read the instructions very carefully.
Usually, you’ll have several prompts to choose from, so take time to think about which one you can execute the best.
It’s also a good idea to come back to the instructions from time to time as you work on your paper.
Start with an outline
This tip will also prove useful throughout your entire academic career.
You’ll have to write a ton of English essays, research papers, literature reviews, and so on.
But regardless of the type of assignment, it’s always important to start with a plan.
So, think of how you will answer the prompt in the instructions and write down some raw ideas.
Then, organize them in a logical manner so that you have an introduction, the main body with several paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Each body paragraph should contain one concise idea or concept.
Write an attention-grabbing introduction
It’s more than likely that the admissions officer reading your essay will probably have read a dozen papers by the time they get to yours.
That’s why your goal is to leave a lasting positive impression on them, and what better way to capture the reader’s interest than a good introduction?
Don’t be afraid to get creative with hooks.
The first sentence can be a question or a statement.
It can also be packed with facts or lead into your main point.
And remember, once you have your reader’s attention, it’s important to sustain it throughout the entire paper.
Avoid clichés at all costs
Once again, put yourself in the shoes of the admissions officer.
Having read thousands of application essays in their life, they already know every trick in a student’s arsenal, no matter how cheap or elaborate it is.
Talking about your role model, moaning about the hardships in your life, or sharing your aspirations of running your own sustainable company won’t do you any service.
With this in mind, you should distinguish yourself from other applicants and make your paper as personalized as possible without straying away from the topic.
Don’t be afraid to open up
The purpose of application essays is to help the admissions committee get a sense of who you are as a person.
Therefore, there’s no need to brainstorm original ideas on how to solve climate change or anything like that.
So, feel free to open up and show them why you’re a worthy candidate.
You can talk about your achievements, the challenges you’ve faced, or your priorities and values.
However, don’t reveal too much and know where to draw the line.
After all, no one wants to read your personal diary.
Re-read and edit your first draft
You know how they say that good writing is rewriting?
Well, there’s a lot of truth to it.
When you read your first draft, you’ll notice repetitions, grammar and stylistic mistakes, inconsistencies, passages that add nothing to the main topic, and many other errors that impact the quality of your essay.
Thus, it’s essential to correct them and rewrite the paper for a better result.
Get a second opinion
Ask someone to review your paper and give you honest feedback.
It would be even better if you could get advice from a professional writer or at least an expert with a background in literature or journalism.
But if you don’t know anyone who can help with your college application papers, you can hire a professional service like CustomWritings – admission essay writing service.
This website is one of many companies that offer all sorts of academic assistance: writing custom papers from scratch, editing, proofreading, and of course, reviewing.
They tailor their services to each customer, so you can simply send them your instructions, and they’ll give you one of their writers to complete the task.
The paper is ready, now what?
After you’ve written, proofread, and polished your admission essay to perfection, you should immediately start applying to the university of your choice.
Don’t loiter around because it will be impossible to buy time later.
The sooner you submit your application, the better because in doing so, you’ll let the admissions committee know that you’re proactive and punctual.
Therefore, make sure to check your college’s admission plan before you even begin working on your paper.
Then, start writing it in advance so that you can send the finished result at least a week before the deadline.
Remember the tips we’ve given you, and you’ll be set up for success!