1. Have I selected a
topic that describes something of personal importance to my life?
Admissions Officer Says:
"Personalize your essays as much as possible-generic essays are not only
boring to read, they're a waste of time because they don't tell you anything
to help you get to know the applicant any better."
2. Am I avoiding a gimmicky
topic? You should be very, very careful of trying to write your essay in iambic
pentameter or with lots of jokes. Almost always, this is done poorly and is not
appreciated by the admissions committee. Nothing is worse than not laughing at
something that was written to be funny.
Admissions Officer Says:
"Gimmicks are a big mistake, and a sarcastic or flippant tone will often
offend."
3. Does my topic stay
away from information listed elsewhere on my application? Don't mention
GPAs or standardized test scores in your essay. That's what the resume and
other parts of the application are for.
Admissions Officer Says:
"Listings of anything are dull, no matter how impressive." "Essays should
be about more than just a running tally of accomplishments."
4. Will I be able to
offer vivid supporting paragraphs to my essay topic? Do not choose a topic
if you cannot provide concrete examples for the body of the essay.
Admissions Officer Says:
"Details provide the color, the spice, and the life of the essays." "As
the saying goes, if you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk."
5. Can I fully answer
the question asked of me? Can you address and elaborate on all points within
the specified word limit, or will you end up writing a poor summary of something
that might be interesting as a report or research paper? If you plan on writing
something technical for an application, make sure you can back up your interest
in a topic and not merely throw around big scientific words. Unless you convince
the reader that you actually have the life experiences to back up your interest
in neurobiology, the reader will assume that you are trying to impress him or
her with shallow tactics. Also, be sure that you can write to admissions officers
and that you are not writing over their heads.
Admissions Officer Says:
"Actually answer the question they ask. Many people just list off their
accomplishments and never relate it to the theme of the question."
6. Will my topic keep
the reader's interest from the first word? The entire essay must be interesting,
considering admissions officers will probably spend only a few minutes reading
each essay.
Admissions Officer Says:
"If the first paragraph doesn't fix my attention, like anyone I'm
prone to skimming."
7. Is my topic unique?
Some students are so concerned about making the correct impression that they edit
out anything that would help their essay stand out. They submit a "safe" essay
that is, in reality, sterile, monotonous, and deadly boring. Most topics are in
fact overdone, and this is not necessarily a bad thing, but a unique and convincing
answer to a classic topic can pay off big. Furthermore, when applying to a competitive
program that might be out of your reach, taking a risk in the essay may help your
chances by standing out.
Admissions Officer Says:
"Applicants should not be afraid to go out on a limb and be themselves-even
when that means incorporating humor or being a little bit controversial."
8. Am I being myself?
Admissions officers want to learn about you and your writing ability. You must
develop your own voice and tell YOUR story, not the story you think the reader
wants to hear. Write about something meaningful and describe what you did and
felt, and your essay will be unique. Many people travel to foreign countries or
win competitions, but your feelings during these events are unique to you. Unless
a philosophy or societal problem has interested you intensely for years, stay
away from grand themes that you have little personal experience with.
Admissions Officer Says:
"It is through the essay that the admissions officers reading the application
will feel that they have truly gotten to know you."
9. Does my topic avoid
hot-button issues that may offend the reader? If you write on how everyone
should worship your God, how wrong or right abortion is, or how you think the
Republican Party is evil, you will not get into the college of your choice. The
only thing worse than not writing a memorable essay is writing an essay that will
be remembered negatively. Stay away from specific religions, political doctrines,
or controversial opinions. You can still write an essay about Nietzsche's influence
on your life, but express understanding that not all intelligent people will agree
with Nietzsche's claims. Emphasize instead Nietzsche's influence on YOUR life,
and not why you think he was wrong or right in his beliefs.
Admissions Officer Says:
"It is dangerous for a non-professional (especially a high school student)
to attempt writing as though the essay will be presented at a professional conference.
You may be writing to someone who knows much more than you and will be irritated
by your hackneyed proclamations."
10. Is my essay honest?
Unless you are a truly excellent writer, your best, most passionate writing will
be about events that actually occurred. While you might be tempted to invent hardship,
it is completely unnecessary. Write an essay about your life that demonstrates
your personality.
Admissions Officer Says:
"After 15 years of reading hundreds of essays a year, you develop an amazing
ability to see straight through the bull."
11. Will an admissions
officer remember my topic after a day of reading hundreds of essays? What
will the officer remember about your topic? What will the officer remember about
you? What will your lasting impression be?
12. If you are writing
about something unfortunate that has happened to you, ask: Am I able to highlight
my impressive qualities under difficult circumstances without sounding pathetic?
Unless you only use the experience as a lens with which to magnify your own personal
characteristics, you will not write a good essay. Graduate and professional school
applicants should generally steer clear of this topic altogether unless the experience
can arguably help one become a better businessman, doctor, lawyer, or scholar.
13. Does my essay fit
in well with the rest of my application? Does it explain the unexplained and
steer clear of what is already obvious? For example, if you have a 4.0 GPA and
a 1500 SAT, no one doubts your ability to do the academic work; addressing this
topic would be ridiculous. However, if you have an 850 SAT and a 3.9 GPA or a
1450 SAT and a 2.5 GPA, you would be wise to incorporate into your essay an explanation
for the apparent contradiction. For example, perhaps you were hospitalized or
family concerns prevented your dedication to academics; you would want to mention
this in your essay. However, do not make your essay one giant excuse. Simply give
a quick, convincing explanation within the framework of your larger essay.
14. Does my topic avoid
mentioning my weaknesses? You want to make a positive first impression, and
telling an admissions officer anything about drinking, drugs, or partying undermines
your goal. EssayEdge editors have read more essays on ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
than we would hope. Why admit to weakness when you can instead showcase your strengths?
15. If you think you
can add diversity to the school to which you are applying, ask: Does my essay
specifically demonstrate how my uniqueness will contribute to the realm of campus
opinion, the academic environment, or the social life? Every college, professional
school, or graduate school wants to increase diversity. For this reason, so many
applicants are tempted to declare what makes them different. However, simply saying
that you are a black, lesbian female will not impress admissions officers in the
least. While an essay incorporating this information would probably be your best
topic idea, you must subtly handle the issue by addressing your own personal qualities
and how you overcame stigma or dealt with social ostracism. If you are a rich
student from Beverly Hills whose father is an engineer and whose mother is a lawyer,
but you happen to be a minority, an essay about how you dealt with adversity would
be unwise.
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