PERSONAL ESSAYS
Considerations in preparing a college
essay
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It is best to write about things,
which genuinely interest you, or about experiences, which you have actually
had. When you choose to write about
what you care about you will be inspired and your enthusiasm will come out
and make a positive impression on the reader. Typically, when applicants write about what they think will
impress the admissions committee, and it’s not a strong commitment, the writing
comes across as stiff, awkward, and artificial. Also, bear in mind that the admissions committee will compare
your essay to the experiences, both academically and extracurricular, which
you indicated on your application. If
there is not relationship to what you write about and what you actually did
the essay will appear conveniently inspired and perhaps insincere. Your essay or
personal statement should discuss things that aren’t described in your
application: don’t tell the committee
what they already know (e.g.: that
you are a 17 year old from Northern California; that you have taken a
demanding course load; that you participated in three varsity sports; that
you are a good student – let them decide that for themselves.) If you write about something indicated on
the application, for example athletics, tell the readers something they don’t
know: (e.g.: the great game and how it pulled you
together as a team and as friends even though you didn’t win; how athletics
has provided you with skills transferable to college success such as team
work, commitment and determination, organizational skills). We do not assume that all applicants have
had profound experiences; so share what is important to you; do not assume we
will view it as trivial. A personal
statement can help explain your academic record: remember, the readers were 17 once and will be able to
identify. Perhaps falling in love for
the first time will explain why you were distracted the first quarter of your
junior year and that’s why your grades dipped; or that a close relative died;
or that your parent lost a job; or that your family moved three times. We can’t give you additional consideration
unless you share
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such information.
However, be careful not to provide hollow excuses for why you weren’t
motivated (like the teachers didn’t appreciate your natural brilliance). Accept responsibility: if you weren’t motivated before but have
now entered your stride, and are now taking demanding courses that
demonstrate your motivation and ability, then point that out. If you choose
to write about an important event then be careful to really believe what you
are writing, don’t just regurgitate what your teachers, priest, or parents
told you: WHY is euthanasia bad,
don’t just say it is. Provide
reasons! Why is the situation in Bosnia
tragic? However, don’t write about
your friend who had a drug problem or a friendship that ended and the affect
it had on you. Admissions
committees like to laugh: after
reading 30 applications in a row it is a delight to read a witty, funny
essay. If you have a great sense of
humor don’t be afraid to show it.
However, if you aren’t naturally witty, this is not the time to try to
begin. Remember to
proof read, and to have someone else proofread. Some people try to be slick with merge mailings. Without proofing this can be risky, while
we really admire Santa Clara if you write us about how much you love Seattle
University and have always wanted to go there and then refer to the beautiful
Santa Clara campus in the middle of your essay this can seem insincere. Also, click on spell check. This is something, which many people
forget. Be careful
how many times you use the personal pronoun “I” and don’t start every
paragraph or successive sentences with it.
Similarly, avoid beginning sentences with prepositional phrases, and
one-sentence “paragraphs” aren’t paragraphs.
An essay with several three-sentence paragraphs and one 20-sentence
paragraph doesn’t convey good writing ability. Additionally, remember that often more is less, so try to say
what you have to say in less than two pages. Be creative;
be self-confident. If you don’t
believe in yourself no one else will. |
Common
Application The Common
Application saves time and cuts duplication.
Seattle University is a member of the Common Application group, an organization of over 200 selective
independent colleges and universities located nationwide. These cooperating schools have developed a
common standard application for undergraduate admission. Member schools agree to give equal
consideration to the Common Application and their own individual application
forms when considering students for admission; some member institutions use
the form exclusively (Seattle University continues to produce its own
application, but welcomes either).
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