How to Write a College Entrance Essay
New York is the final destination for millions of high school students around the world seeking entrance to a prestigious college or university. The competition out there is strong Whether you've got your sights on one of NYC's renowned higher education institutions, or you're interested in attending school elsewhere, it's vital that you put your best foot forward in the application process. And that is where your college entrance essay comes in. Any school you're interested in attending will require you to submit an essay representing not just your dreams and goals, but your ability to stand out from other students vying for the same spot. Colleges only have so much space, and they can only accept a limited number of students to fill those spaces. Your academic achievements may impress, but if you don't execute an extraordinary essay, your exceptional background may just fade into the background. College test prep can be an intimidating task, but there's a world of help out there. Here are some tips on utilizing all resources available in order to write an outstanding college entrance essay.
Brainstorming
There was a time when the only topic a college wanted you to talk about in your entrance essay was yourself. They wanted you to discuss your background, your educational goals, your career goals, and why the evaluators should choose you above all other candidates. Today, some schools still choose this traditional method, but many others choose a topic or a specific question for applicants to write about or answer. Whichever method your chosen school uses, your first step in writing a standout essay is brainstorming. This is the fun part of your essay because your pen should flow with every idea that comes from your brain without discrimination. If you've been given the task of writing about yourself, go all the way back through your life, through school, remember your accomplishments, and write down every idea that comes to mind. Later on you'll structure it all and put meaning to it; right now idea is king. If you've been given a topic or question by the college, do whatever research is necessary, and brainstorm ideas as you go. It's important to remember that the judges don't want you merely to spit out facts and statistics. Your essay is not supposed to read like a page from an encyclopedia. It's meant to dazzle the judges with your ability to analyze, articulate, and impress. To that end, if you're writing on a specific topic or answering a specific question they've given you, find an angle that you can be passionate about and don't be afraid to be a little controversial, as individuality is also important. Enlisting help from parents and teachers is advised. A college tutor can provide valuable assistance in every step of writing your essay, from the brainstorming session to the finished product.
Structuring
The next step in writing a brilliant college entrance essay is narrowing down all those brainstormed ideas and structuring it into an outline. You don't have to do an outline, but skipping this step can mean the difference between a concise paper and one that rambles. A tried-and-true essay method for a college essay that is posed as a question or topic is the 5-step technique. In this method, each paragraph has a purpose, including the introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion. In the introductory paragraph, write a thesis sentence that conveys the main idea of your paper and follow it with an overview of each main point. Use each of the next three paragraphs to represent one of those specific ideas you mentioned in your introductory paragraph, answering your thesis. In the final paragraph, summarize your ideas and conclude your point. Your outline of this 5-step method, or any other method that gets your main points down on paper before you write, should contain the best ideas from your brainstorming session that will showcase you and your ability to analyze and articulate in the best possible light.
Writing
Now it's time to write your essay. If you're not a strong writer, you should probably contact a college tutor who can help you compose a concise and eloquent essay that will wow college evaluators and make you stand out from the crowd. New York City is a hub for education, and our area's college tutors are among the most educated and effective writers and teachers available. If you're confident in your writing skills to persuade and impress, there are a few things to remember when writing it. First, keep in mind that you're writing to an institution of higher learning. Using a little humor can work for you ... or against you. Be sure that humor is used appropriately and sparingly, if at all. Next, be coherent and concise. Fluff has no place in a college entrance essay. Additionally, be sure when writing about your achievements never to embellish. Remember that you're applying for college; you're not expected to have been the president of a company or to have climbed Mt. Everest at this stage of your life. Finally, be personable in your writing. Try to remember that the evaluators who are reading your essay are, after all, human beings.
Brainstorming
There was a time when the only topic a college wanted you to talk about in your entrance essay was yourself. They wanted you to discuss your background, your educational goals, your career goals, and why the evaluators should choose you above all other candidates. Today, some schools still choose this traditional method, but many others choose a topic or a specific question for applicants to write about or answer. Whichever method your chosen school uses, your first step in writing a standout essay is brainstorming. This is the fun part of your essay because your pen should flow with every idea that comes from your brain without discrimination. If you've been given the task of writing about yourself, go all the way back through your life, through school, remember your accomplishments, and write down every idea that comes to mind. Later on you'll structure it all and put meaning to it; right now idea is king. If you've been given a topic or question by the college, do whatever research is necessary, and brainstorm ideas as you go. It's important to remember that the judges don't want you merely to spit out facts and statistics. Your essay is not supposed to read like a page from an encyclopedia. It's meant to dazzle the judges with your ability to analyze, articulate, and impress. To that end, if you're writing on a specific topic or answering a specific question they've given you, find an angle that you can be passionate about and don't be afraid to be a little controversial, as individuality is also important. Enlisting help from parents and teachers is advised. A college tutor can provide valuable assistance in every step of writing your essay, from the brainstorming session to the finished product.
Structuring
The next step in writing a brilliant college entrance essay is narrowing down all those brainstormed ideas and structuring it into an outline. You don't have to do an outline, but skipping this step can mean the difference between a concise paper and one that rambles. A tried-and-true essay method for a college essay that is posed as a question or topic is the 5-step technique. In this method, each paragraph has a purpose, including the introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion. In the introductory paragraph, write a thesis sentence that conveys the main idea of your paper and follow it with an overview of each main point. Use each of the next three paragraphs to represent one of those specific ideas you mentioned in your introductory paragraph, answering your thesis. In the final paragraph, summarize your ideas and conclude your point. Your outline of this 5-step method, or any other method that gets your main points down on paper before you write, should contain the best ideas from your brainstorming session that will showcase you and your ability to analyze and articulate in the best possible light.
Writing
Now it's time to write your essay. If you're not a strong writer, you should probably contact a college tutor who can help you compose a concise and eloquent essay that will wow college evaluators and make you stand out from the crowd. New York City is a hub for education, and our area's college tutors are among the most educated and effective writers and teachers available. If you're confident in your writing skills to persuade and impress, there are a few things to remember when writing it. First, keep in mind that you're writing to an institution of higher learning. Using a little humor can work for you ... or against you. Be sure that humor is used appropriately and sparingly, if at all. Next, be coherent and concise. Fluff has no place in a college entrance essay. Additionally, be sure when writing about your achievements never to embellish. Remember that you're applying for college; you're not expected to have been the president of a company or to have climbed Mt. Everest at this stage of your life. Finally, be personable in your writing. Try to remember that the evaluators who are reading your essay are, after all, human beings.