The College Application Essay
What to do… and what not to do
Emma Ingram
Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission
Bentley University
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
How do colleges use the essay?
Assess your writing ability
Learn something interesting about you.
Learn something important about you.
Make your application memorable.
Assess your “fit” for the college.
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
College Essay – The “Do’s”
1.
2.
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Know your audience
Choose a topic about which you are passionate
Keep the reader engaged
Use correct spelling and grammar
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The “Do’s” – Know Your
Audience
Your college essay will be read by a committee of
admission professionals (not your peers, your
parents, or your teachers)
Be smart about controversial essay topics
Stay away from writing a persuasive essay
Be smart about how much personal information you
divulge.
It is OK to write an essay about a very personal topic as long
as it is done tastefully and purposefully.
Examples of personal essay topics that work.
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The “Do’s” – Choose a topic about
which you are passionate
Passion comes through in an essay
Writing about what colleges “want to hear” does an
injustice to the student
Example of a “passionate” essay
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The “Do’s” – Keep the reader
engaged
Admission counselors read hundreds of essays
The first sentence or paragraph should engage the
reader
Examples of engaging openings
Essay length should be 1-2 double-spaced pages.
Be creative or be particularly informative
Example of an informative essay
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The “Do’s” – Use correct spelling and
grammar
Generally, keep the college name out of the essay.
But, if it’s appropriate to include it remember:
Use the correct college name
Spell the college’s name correctly
Spell-check does not catch everything
Have your essay proofread by others
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The Don’t’s
Any ideas?
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The college essay – The “Don’ts”
1. Inappropriate or controversial topics
2. Persuasive essays
3. Plagiarism
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The “Don’ts” – Inappropriate and
controversial topics
Inappropriate essay topics:
sexual experiences
underage drug or alcohol use
bodily functions
Controversial topics:
Can be done well if written intelligently and in good
taste
Stay away from personal diatribes about divisive issues
Always get a second opinion
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The “Don’ts” – Persuasive essays
Stay away from trying to convert the reader
Be careful of coming off as overly biased
When sharing your thoughts, opinions, and/or
recommendations provide supporting
evidence and address opposing views
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The “Don’ts” – Plagiarism
Sounds obvious, but happens more frequently
than one would expect
Always cite sources!
Use English teacher as a resource
If the essay is not your voice, we will know
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
The final “Don’t” – Do not stress too
much about the essay
Some of the best essays are about some of
the most mundane topics – you do not need
to have a life-changing event
Solicit help from friends and family
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
Engaging Opening
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
Creative
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
A Typical Event made Engaging
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
Supplemental Essay
Why is our college the right fit for you?
Don’t copy/paste from the website
Really think about what you will add to the
community
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
Demonstrated Interest
Large part of the application process
Track interest
Shows you know what this college has to offer
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014
Questions?
Bentley University Undergraduate Admission- 2014