How To Complete A Successful Admission Essay And Reach Your Goal

Getting into a college or university of your choice is one of the toughest challenges you will face during your high school career. The process of application involves several parts but no one part causes more sleepless nights than writing the admission essay. Your admission essay, though, shouldn’t be looked at as an insurmountable challenge, but rather as an opportunity to set yourself apart from the hundreds of other students trying to get into the same program. Here are some things you need to know about writing a successful admission essay that will help you reach your goal:

• Plan Ahead, Write Early

Don’t wait until the last minute to get started writing your college admission essay. The committee can usually spot which papers were well thought out over those that were written the night before submission. Give yourself a few weeks to draft and revise content. Plan to work on your paper anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour each night for at least two weeks to increase your chances of success.



• Be Yourself, Don’t Write You Think the Committee Wants to Read

Too often students find a one or two successful admission essays online and attempt to mimic the voice and style of writing exactly. This is a terrible approach that could decrease your chances of success, especially if you come off sounding unnatural and even a little confused in your writing. Write naturally but accurately. Write as though you were telling this story aloud to a friend. Start with a quick and fluid first draft then make corrections in later drafts. But always start with your own personal voice.



• Be Sure You Answer the Right Question

One of the reasons you should plan ahead is so that you can reread your essay and make sure that you are answering the essay prompt you have been presented. If a question asks you to describe a life-changing incident and to list reasons why you chose the incident, then make sure you answer both parts of the question.



• Proofread and Edit

All great writing goes through at least a couple of drafts before it ever sees print. This should be true about your essay writing as well. Be sure to give yourself enough time to proofread and edit thoroughly at least a few days before your deadline. You’ll also be best served to give yourself a couple of days between each draft so that you approach your review with fresh but critical eyes.