3 Tips for College Essays that Demand Acceptance

College admissions essay prompts are notoriously vague and difficult to write. As a writer and a college professor, students often ask me, “What does my response to an obscure quote tell the admissions committee about my abilities?” My answer: Not much! Admissions essays are a necessary evil utilized by colleges to narrow applicants in terms of a few main criteria. Unfortunately, the specific criteria are often a closely guarded secret that varies by institution. Ensuring your essay meets three main guidelines though will exponentially improve your odds for success admission:

1) Be creative but be true to yourself. Students often try too hard to infuse strange twists in their essays. While it’s important to stand out from the crowd, you’ll want to do so because your essay was well written and memorable. Think of a story that others in your life have found interesting. Tell it in much the same way you would share the story with a group of friends or family.

2) Be specific. In an attempt to present a positive image, many students fail to answer all parts of the question. Vague responses that lack specific detail leave doubt in the reader’s mind. Even more concerning, they don’t capture attention in a way that motivates someone to move your application forward to the next process. Make a checklist of each question’s component. Ensure you answered all parts specifically and thoroughly.

3) Edit. Edit. And edit again! Acceptance into the right college for your needs and aspirations is one of the most important milestones of your life. Would you believe that more than 80% of college essays are only lightly edited-if edited at all? Finding support through the editing process is an investment that could pay back in dividends throughout your lifetime. Power Papers has a team of well-respected writers with an excellent record of helping students reach that next step. Let us know if we can help.