The Common App has announced that the prompts for this year will be similar to the previous years. In this article, we'll provide tips on handling these prompts, organizing your thoughts, and producing a compelling, relevant response that will catch the eyes of the admissions officers.
The Significance of the Common App Essay
While the admissions committee focuses on grades, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities, there are always five applicants with exemplary qualifications. That's why you need an admissions counselor who will highly recommend you and choose you over all other applicants.
Of all essays, Common App essays are the most significant since they are read by the majority of institutions to which you apply. Because this is your longest essay, you will have more space to tell a story and express your emotions and perspective. One sure way to increase your chances of getting into college as a senior is to craft a great Common App essay.
How Do You Write a Compelling Common App Essay?
First and foremost, a compelling Common App essay must be deeply personal. Your admissions committee is more likely to choose you if they have a personal connection to you. It would help if you shared your feelings, thoughts, and decisions concerning a given event or problem.
It would also help if you also steer clear of cliché topics. The most overused themes include injuries, immigrant journeys, and sports accomplishments. Many students don't stand out as much because they majorly focus on these themes. Writing a unique essay around these themes is possible, but it's hard to make the cut. You're better off focusing on more distinct aspects of your personality.
What's the Best Way to Edit Your Common Application Essay?
Before submitting your college essays, you should get them checked by a professional. Getting a second opinion on your essay can significantly impact your chances of admission acceptance.
Organizing a response to the 650-word Common App essay might seem difficult. Fortunately, we've developed three straightforward strategies to generate great responses.
Brainstorm
Brainstorming will come in handy when formulating solid responses. One effective way to develop high-level ideas is to think of what makes you delve into your passion daily.
Focusing on how you relate to a specific topic or activity is an effective strategy for developing a high-level idea. An example of a high-level idea is creative writing. You can discuss how real-life experiences inspired you to write.
Organize
The second approach is to organize your thoughts. You are not expected to adhere to the traditional five-paragraph essays on the Common App. You can use dialogue, visual descriptions, and dialogue in your writing. However, ensure that your essay has a clear structure and logical flow. Your thoughts should flow logically from one paragraph to the other and from sentence to sentence.
Write
The final process is writing the Common App essay. Remember, your Common App essay's syntax and sentence structure must be impeccable. The essay does not need to be a Charles Dickens masterpiece, but it should be engaging and well-written.
Here are a few tips to help you write a great essay:
- Avoid using cliches
- Be specific
- Use active voice
- Use imagery
Before You Go...
Common App essays should demonstrate your personality, interests, character, and values. All Common App essays should leave a lasting impression about your identity to the reader. When you hit a mental block when writing your essay, read this article once again to ascertain whether your essay accurately matches the personal qualities you hope to portray.