Essays

Some colleges and universities request essays, others do not. You need to check with individual institutions. When you have created your short-list of colleges you can find out what the essay topics will be by contacting individual institutions and asking them, or reviewing the topics on the Common Application group website.

The topics always present an opportunity for you to say more about your qualities through your writing. The essay should also reflect your capabilities and you should therefore ensure that it is the best you can do. Colleges usually state a word limit.

Guidance on writing your essay is provided by the college counselor. Some colleges and universities also request a piece of academic work, complete with your teacher’s grade and comments. If this is the case, you are expected to write to the teachers concerned and request this additional material.

Guidance for Writing your College Essay

The college essay is a vital part of your application. It allows the admissions officer to gain a good picture of how you write and think as well as providing further information about what motivates you, your aspirations, and who you are. It is sometimes called the ‘Personal Statement’.

Sample essay questions appear on college websites and on the Common Application group website. Some sample questions are presented below.

As this is such an important part of your application, you must give yourself enough time to complete it to the best of your ability. The counselor, principal and your English teachers are happy to proof read your essay and to give advice at each stage.

The vast majority of essay titles provide an ideal opportunity for you to express something positive about yourself. It is not a chance to explain poor grades or failures. (If you feel that this is necessary, speak to the college counselor.) Remember that as an international student you have a wealth of experience and knowledge that sets you apart from many applicants. Do not try to fit the mould of the typical applicant, rather use this opportunity to express what sets you apart from the rest. This is what admissions officers are looking for.

Keep your audience’s needs in mind. Your audience is the admissions officer. The needs of the officer include being able to form a picture of who you are, who you want to become, and what influences you. Using examples from your personal experience, literature, history, or role models can enhance your essay so long as they are relevant.

Also be aware that the officer wants to read an essay that employs good writing skills, is coherent, logically planned and interesting, a little like a good short story.

Sample Essay Questions

The essay questions presented have appeared on past application forms. Check individual websites and the Common Application group website for up-to-date titles.

Brown University

• We ask you to take this opportunity to tell us something about yourself that would help us get a sense of who you are, how you think, and what issues and ideas are interest you most. Your statement should be done in your own handwriting.

Common Application

• Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you and describe that influence.
  
• Evaluate a significant experience or achievement that has a special meaning to you.
  
• Discuss some issue of personal, local, national or international concern and its importance to you.

Cornell University

• “A stone, a leaf, an unfound door”, Look homeward, Angel, Thomas Wolf. Write about three objects that would give the admissions selection committee insight into who you are.

Stanford University

• Sharing intellectual interests is an important aspect of university life. Describe an experience or idea that you find intellectually exciting and explain why.

University of Pennsylvania

• If you were given the opportunity to spend an evening with any one person, living or deceased, or fictional, whom would you choose and why?

University of Virginia

• Look out of any window in your house. Given the opportunity, what would you change about what you see?
  

Guidance for Writing Your Personal Statement

Many universities worldwide require you to write a personal statement. This is especially true of UK for which you write one personal statement that is sent, through UCAS, to your six choice universities. In your personal statement, you should address the following:

• Why you have chosen the course, what is it that interests you about the subject?
  
• Jobs, work experience or placements you have had in your chosen field. If these inspired you to choose this degree, say why.
  
• Any non-accredited qualifications e.g., Young Enterprise or Duke of Edinburgh. They want to know about it, and what you learnt from it.
  
• Anything else you have achieved, such as, MYP, IB Awards
  
• Anything you're proud of that shows you can knuckle down and apply yourself, like running the triathlon or raising money for charity.
  
• Anything that shows you have initiative.
  
• Statements about your future. What are you planning to do with your degree?
  
• Why, if you're taking one, you are having a year out.
  
• Anything interesting from your progress file or record of achievement.
  
• Your social, sports and leisure interests, they want well-rounded people after all.