Class of 2013 University Applications Handbook - UWC Maastricht
Class of 2013 University Applications Handbook - UWC Maastricht
Class of 2013 University Applications Handbook - UWC Maastricht
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Office <strong>of</strong> Career Guidance & <strong>University</strong> <strong>Applications</strong><br />
Writing the Common App essay: This essay will be sent to ALL colleges you apply to<br />
through the Common App. Make sure you do not name a specific college where you are<br />
applying in this essay!<br />
The college essay is your one chance to tell a school about YOU! The other portions <strong>of</strong> your<br />
college application (grades, recommendations, test scores) show admission <strong>of</strong>ficers what<br />
you have done. Your college essay describes who you are. It sheds light on your personality<br />
and reveals what matters to you. It also illustrates your writing skills.<br />
Steps to Writing the College Essay<br />
Resources: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays<br />
Agnes Scott College Center for Writing and Speaking<br />
http://www.agnesscott.edu/academics/centerforwritingandspeaking<br />
1. Get started by brainstorming Starting the essay can be the hardest part. Brainstorming about<br />
your personality traits and defining your strengths is a good place to begin. Come up with 3 positive<br />
qualities that you have. Look at the essay topics and make a brain map <strong>of</strong> ideas, topics, stories you<br />
might want to tell.<br />
2. Let your first draft flow After you've gathered your notes, create an outline to organize your<br />
essay and decide where you want examples to appear. Now you're ready to write your first draft.<br />
Don't worry about making it perfect. Just get your ideas flowing and your thoughts down on paper.<br />
You'll fix mistakes and improve the writing in later drafts.<br />
How Do I Handle the Questions on the Common App? Which Is the Best Question to Write About?<br />
The truth? It doesn’t matter what you write about as long as you write about it specifically and<br />
compellingly. The question or topic you choose says a lot about your personality and interests. Trust<br />
yourself: You will naturally gravitate toward the “right” question for you.<br />
How Should I Organize My Essay? Because there are many ways you might organize your essay, no<br />
hard and fast rules exist. Some people organize their essay around a theme (such as “learning to<br />
adapt”) and some around an experience. Whatever you choose, make sure your essay contains the<br />
following parts:<br />
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