To Share or Not to Share: how much should college applicants share in their essays and applications? Joe Beltran, University of Southern California Sylvia Juarez-­‐Magana, Juarez Consulting Inc. Share Learn Connect Inland Empire, February 2015 How Important Are the Essays? v  Grades v  Rigor of Coursework, School v  Test Scores v  Activities v  Special skills, talents, awards, passions v  Recommendations-­‐ v  Additional Information v  Essays v  Can be of considerable or moderate importance – NACAC’s 2011’s State of College Admission report. College Admissions Writing = Opportunity v Show unique stories that make applicants jump off the page v Master the highest ranked non-­‐academic aspect of the application v Realize the package of essays counts…not just one v Share their unique voices v Express who they really are v Challenge stereotypes v Reflect on their growth and development, including accomplishments and service v Recognize what the admission officers are looking for Successful Admissions Writing includes: v Introspection ~ Self reflection allows for depth in writing v Complex Thinking ~ Identify & showcase multi-­‐
dimensions v Keep it Simple ~ Addressing the prompt; no tangents v Coherence ~ Arrangement of qualities with examples v Style and Tone (personal) ~ Be true to oneself; “voice” v Syntax and Format (maturity) ~ Multiple drafts are a must Understanding the Purpose… University of California Prompts • 
All applicants must respond to two essay prompts — the general prompt and either the freshman or transfer prompt, depending on your status. • 
Responses to your two prompts must be a maximum of 1,000 words total (allocate at least 250 words for one response). • 
Provide views from two different aspects of your life or background ~ illustrates how well rounded you are. The Prompts • 
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1. Freshman applicant prompt Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. (Influence) 2. Prompt for all applicants Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? (The Facts with Examples) Understand the Essays… v The Common Application: v  One mandatory long prompt v  Writing Supplements—depend on each college The Prompts Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. v Private College Specific Applications v Other Systems (Universal Application, etc.) Essay Workshops v Create a boot camp for your students – even if just for a day! v Work on writing one to two core essays v Drafts, drafts, and more drafts (the average essay takes at least four drafts to have a clear message) v Free-­‐writing v Brainstorming v Organization v Be willing to include unique stories and pivotal messages or a unique take on student interests Try to avoid… • 
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…emphasizing “strength of character.” …sounding “perfect.” …forgetting your passions, curiosity and inspirations. …contrived transitions that don’t connect. …narratives that do not engage the reader. …repeating what is already mentioned in other parts of the application …dull openings that quickly lose interest. …using quotes that don’t connect or add anything to the essay. …forgetting/ignoring the prompt or question being asked. …the expected. …writing what you think admission officers want to read. …too much written in the passive voice. …writing too generally about too many things. …slang or relaxed language. Source: “Writing the Common Application Essay and What to Avoid” by Jeannie Borin, College Connections, LLC Inappropriate Reveals •  Readers are not interested in essays with “shock value.” •  “…too many kids attach such a crazy degree of importance to getting into the most selective schools that they do stagy, desperate, disturbing things to stand out. The essay portion of their applications can be an especially jolting illustration of that.” •  Examples: urinating on self, referencing their genitalia, self-­‐
proclaimed Casanova, vulgar language, symbols instead of words. Source: Naked Confessions of the College-­‐Bound: Oversharing in Admissions Essays op ed by Frank Bruni. The New York Times. Final thoughts Students need to remember that they: v Can create amazing essays and control this process v Cannot use essays to get into unrealistic college choices v Have just a few minutes to grab the attention of an essay reader. v Need weeks, not days, to write effective college essays. v Cannot manufacture essays; essays convey truth, unique stories, and writing skills. v Can tell their story like no one else. v Need not mention anything they are not ready to discuss. Thank you. •  Joe Beltran, University of Southern California, [email protected] •  Sylvia Juarez-­‐Magana, Juarez Consulting Inc. [email protected]