It’s October now and many of you are in the process of applying to college. One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of the application is the essay portion. But it shouldn’t be. This is your opportunity to include some personality to the dry reading that includes transcripts and financial aid forms. Use your essay to tell the admissions counselor who you are. In order to help you think of topics, let me tell you about my admissions essay:
I wrote my college admissions essay in the early fall of my senior year. I don’t remember the question verbatim, but it was basically “Describe a favorite work of art and tell us how it influenced your life.” (Note: This is only one possible question topic on the application. You are free to answer the question that is best for you.) Since I am an avid reader, I chose to talk about my favorite book: Jonathan Tropper’s This Is Where I Leave You.
I talked about how that hilarious book inspired me to become a writer. The way the author used humor and black comedy in such a sad situation (the novel takes place while the main character is sitting Shiva for his father) was incredible. It made me want to write in a humorous way. So, I did. In the college essay. I joked around and was as sarcastic in that paper as I am in real life.
At this point, some of you are wondering Is that appropriate? It is. No matter which essay topic you choose, you need to ensure you make it your own. Make it personal. My “personal” meant being funny, joking and using a colloquial tone. Another person might choose to be serious. Someone else might go for nostalgic. In any case, be sure to make your essay stand out by having fun with it and by putting yourself into every word you write.
And, of course, proofread.
Written by Rachel Montpelier. Rachel is a senior at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. and is the editorial assistant at NextStepU.
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