How Do You Nail A College Essay?

1. Tell the story that grades and test scores can't capture. …
2. Always be yourself in your application, not the candidate you think admissions committees want to see. …
3. Remember to reflect. …
4. Start early, and write several drafts.

Is 400 words good for a college essay?

Limit your response to 300 to

400 words

.” … The shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 200 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 600 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 200 and 650 words.

What should you not do in a college essay?

• Never rehash your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
• Never write about a “topic”
• Never start with a preamble.
• Never end with a “happily ever after” conclusion.
• Never pontificate.
• Never retreat into your thoughts.
• Never hold back.
• Never give TMI.

How should a college essay be laid out?

1. There's no need for a title; it takes up unnecessary space and eats into your word count.
2. Stay within the word count as much as possible (+/- 10% of the upper limit). …
3. Indent or double space to separate paragraphs clearly.

What does a good college essay look like?

The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you.

Be honest and genuine

, and your unique qualities will shine through. … Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.

What are the best college essay topics?

• Prompt #1: Share your story.
• Prompt #2: Learning from obstacles.
• Prompt #3: Challenging a belief.
• Prompt #4: Solving a problem.
• Prompt #5: Personal growth.
• Prompt #6: What captivates you?
• Prompt #7: Topic of your choice.
• Describe a person you admire.

Can you name people in college essays?

No

. God knows why a student would wish to present as well-rounded but it will not guarantee that student's rejection. It will only significantly increase the likelihood of rejection. Name dropping in college essays is one of the items on our checklist of things that will make rejection exceedingly likely.

Do college essays need titles?

Every college essay needs a title because it's a piece of creative writing

, but by no means does it have to be something you spend days stressing out about. … In most cases, we suggest writing your essay before you lock in a title.

What format should a college essay be in?

While

single-spaced essays

are usually acceptable, your essay will be easier to read if it's 1.5 or double-spaced. Clearly delineate your paragraphs. A single tab at the beginning is fine. Use a font that's easy to read, like Times, Arial, Calibri, Cambria, etc.

How many paragraphs should a college essay be?

For your standard 1.5 page college application essay or personal statement, it's important to use an effective organizational structure. The 5-paragraph essay structure serves this purpose well.

Do colleges care if you have a job?

Colleges value work experience

because it shows you've learned responsibility as well as skills with time management and teamwork. Colleges won't expect students with significant work obligations to have the same level of extracurricular involvement as students who don't work.

How do you start a college essay example?

• Try starting with a question.
• Begin with a bold statement.
• Use an interesting quote.
• Put the reader in medias res, that is, in the middle of things. …
• Challenge the reader by speaking directly to him/her.
• Tell the reader what you do NOT want to do in your writing.

What is the best topic for students?

• Bids. The Crow. The Parrot. The Peacock. …
• Animals. The Cow. The Horse. The Elephant. …
• Visits. A Visit to a Zoo. A Visit to a Circus. A Visit to a Museum. …
• Sports and Games. A Cricket Match. A Football Match. …
• Science. Science – Boon or Bane? Radio. …
• General Essays. Our School. National Flag.

What are good topics to write about?

• A cozy spot at home.
• A day at the beach.
• A day in the desert.
• A funny time in my family.
• A great day with a friend.
• A great place to go.
• A great treehouse.
• A helpful person I have met.

What are good topics to write an essay about?

• Civil War and its significance in American history.
• History of slavery in the United States.
• The civil rights movement.
• The causes and long-term consequences of stress.
• Why we procrastinate and how to avoid it.
• Racism in the US.
• Child obesity.
• Cybercrime and how not to be its victim.