College Essay Assignment

 Part I: College Application Essay Research

Read and take notes (paper or digital) on the college application information from the College Board.  Your notes may be lists, sentences, paragraphs, or whatever format you wish.  I will not grade these for grammar, neatness, or formatting--just for completion.  You need at least 20 separate notes for completion.  Focus your attention on application essay writing advice.
 


  • Khan Academy: Here is advice from Stanford, Berkeley, Georgetown, Yale, University of Virginia, Dartmouth, and Brown admissions officers.

    • Next: Write a brief paragraph about the voice and personality that you think should honestly come out of your application writing (you're quiet and introspective, outgoing and loud, sloppy and funny, careful and cynical, in love with nature, a board-game lover, a caring friend, a driven goal-setter, an ardent Christian).  
    • Finally: Write about one or two of the most life-changing experiences you can recall.  Provide imagery (sights, sounds, smells, feelings, tastes) and description (one paragraph).  
Part II: College Application Essay Composition
  • Write one (or more) college essays employing the advice you have garnered in your "Journal: College Application Essay Notes."  Respond to prompts from the colleges you actually intend to apply to (go to the college website to find out what you need).
    • Show the essay to someone who knows you well and someone who can assist with revision (perhaps the same person, perhaps not).
      • Ask the friend/family member if your personality comes through the writing piece.   If it's lacking at all, ask the friend/family member how you might bring more of your personality into the piece.  Revise.
      • Correct the grammar.  Revise again.
  • Print the prompt and final draft.  Also submit your work to turnitin.com (unless you're doing this in the summer). 
  • Parameters:

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