The College Essay (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

The College Essay Page 2

 Some schools may explicitly tell you that you cannot exceed a certain length. If

so, stick to their rules and see your College Counselor or another trusted advisor

to help you meet your goal.

 Be concise! Admission counselors have limited time to spend on the essay; make

every word count.

Proofreading

 Ask someone who knows you well to read your essay. Ask them to tell you what

they think you were hoping to convey.

 Read your essay aloud – even just to yourself. You might find mistakes or

awkward phrases that your eyes have glossed over when reading silently.

 Once you have finished your essay, put it aside for a few days. Come back to it in

a few days. A fresh perspective will bring new energy and new insight to your

words.

 Avoid procrastination; careless mistakes are made when you feel the pressure of a

deadline.

Resources

 Your best resources will be the people in your life whom you trust. Parents,

teachers, friends, and School or College Counselors are all people to consider.

 There are many “college-essay” websites - some that are more legitimate than

others. Please consult your College Counselor before using any on-line help.

Never plagiarize any portion of your essay or let anyone else write it for you.

Colleges investigate suspected plagiarism.

Updated 8/2016

The College Essay Page 2