18 Effective Tips in Writing College Admission Essays

1. The first three sentences will make the admission officer read the rest of the essay.

2. Make the first paragraph the best because admission officers spend only a few minutes per essay.
3. Open the essay with something unexpected and unique.

4. Never, ever beg for admission. You will look desperate.

5. Be proud, but don’t boast.  You are making an essay, not a resume.

6. Be honest, be yourself.

7. Don’t write about your skills; make writing your skill.

8. Always include something you learned from one particular experience.

9. Your topic can be as shallow as baking a cookie for as long as you can reach an important point.

10. Make sure the admission officer will understand your philosophy.

11. Be witty rather than technical.

12. Play on the admission officer’s emotion.

13. Getting the admission officer to agree or disagree with your point works equally beneficial. It means you are showing conviction.

14. Don’t include so many anecdotes. That will make your essay an autobiography.

15. It’s fine to ask a question. Making the admission officer think has a lasting appeal.

16. Never, ever write about your grade. It has a separate slot in the admission form.

17. Your last paragraph (conclusion) is your final chance to convince. Don’t waste it.

18. Have an honest friend read your essay before sending it.