Friday, September 23 college essays

Your senior exit interviews are Wednesday, November 30 in the afternoon. You will hear much more about these. In preparation for the interview- and to get you moving on your college applications- everyone is required to write a college essay, a resume (curriculum vitae) and a cover letter. Below you will find this year's prompts from college board. 

As with most things in life, the longer the time you have to complete a task, the more time you will take. I am giving you three days in class; as well, you have the weekend. That is five days.  NO EXCUSES!

Your essay is due by midnight on Wednesday, September 28.

Grading for the essay.  You will receive a grade based upon the work you send me. This is based upon the following ELA rubric. See below. What you will receive back is an edited version that has been corrected for language convention errors and egregious syntax. Your voice and tale will remain intact. This will take me a couple of weeks.  Be patient. ...and make sure I have access to edit your work.

Begin by reading the following:

Crafting an Unforgettable College Essay

t may sound like a chore, and it will certainly take a substantial amount of work. But it's also a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time. Admissions committees put the most weight on your high school grades and your test scores. However, selective colleges receive applications from many worthy students with similar scores and grades—too many to admit. So they use your essay, along with your letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities, to find out what sets you apart from the other talented candidates.

Telling Your Story

So what does set you apart?

You have a unique background, interests and personality. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). 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.

Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.

You don't need to have started your own business or have spent the summer hiking the Appalachian Trail. Colleges are simply looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add something to the first-year class.

Tips for a Stellar College Application Essay

• Write about something that's important to you.

  It could be an experience, a person, a book—anything that has had an impact on your life.

• Don't just recount—reflect! 

  Anyone can write about how they won the big game or the summer they spent in Rome. When recalling these events, you need to give more than the play-by-play or itinerary. Describe what you learned from the experience and how it changed you.

• Being funny is tough.

  A student who can make an admissions officer laugh never gets lost in the shuffle. But beware. What you think is funny and what an adult working in a college thinks is funny are probably different. We caution against one-liners, limericks and anything off–color.

• Start early 

   Read it and read it again. Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions officer: Is the essay interesting? Do the ideas flow logically? Does it reveal something about the applicant? Is it written in the applicant’s own voice?

• No repeats.

  What you write in your application essay or personal statement should not contradict any other part of your application–nor should it repeat it. This isn't the place to list your awards or discuss your grades or test scores.

• Answer the question being asked.

  Don't reuse an answer to a similar question from another application.

• Have at least one other person edit your essay.

  A teacher or college counselor is your best resource. And before you send it off, check, check again, and then triple check to make sure your essay is free of spelling or grammar errors.

2016-2017 Essay Prompts 

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.