1.
Have I selected a topic that describes something of personal
importance to my life?
Admissions
Officer Says: “Personalize
your essays as much as possible-generic essays are
not only boring to read, they’re a waste of time
because they don’t tell you anything to help you
get to know the applicant any better.”
2.
Am I avoiding a gimmicky topic? You
should be very, very careful of trying to write your
essay in iambic pentameter or with lots of jokes. Almost
always, this is done poorly and is not appreciated
by the admissions committee. Nothing is worse than
not laughing at something that was written to be funny.
Admissions
Officer Says: “Gimmicks
are a big mistake, and a sarcastic or flippant tone
will often offend.”
3.
Does my topic stay away from information listed elsewhere
on my application? Don’t
mention GPAs or standardized test scores in your essay.
That’s what the resume and other parts of the application
are for.
Admissions
Officer Says: “Listings
of anything are dull, no matter how impressive.” “Essays
should be about more than just a running tally of
accomplishments.”
4.
Will I be able to offer vivid supporting paragraphs
to my essay topic? Do
not choose a topic if you cannot provide concrete examples
for the body of the essay.
Admissions
Officer Says: “Details
provide the color, the spice, and the life of the
essays.” “As the saying goes, if you’re going to
talk the talk, you better walk the walk.”
5.
Can I fully answer the question asked of me? Can
you address and elaborate on all points within the
specified word limit, or will you end up writing a
poor summary of something that might be interesting
as a report or research paper? If you plan on writing
something technical for an application, make sure you
can back up your interest in a topic and not merely
throw around big scientific words. Unless you convince
the reader that you actually have the life experiences
to back up your interest in neurobiology, the reader
will assume that you are trying to impress him or her
with shallow tactics. Also, be sure that you can write
to admissions officers and that you are not writing
over their heads.
Admissions
Officer Says: “Actually
answer the question they ask. Many people just list
off their accomplishments and never relate it to
the theme of the question.”
6.
Will my topic keep the reader's interest from the first
word? The
entire essay must be interesting, considering admissions
officers will probably spend only a few minutes reading
each essay.
Admissions
Officer Says: “If
the first paragraph doesn’t fix my attention, like
anyone I’m prone to skimming.”
7.
Is my topic unique? Some
students are so concerned about making the correct
impression that they edit out anything that would help
their essay stand out. They submit a “safe” essay that
is, in reality, sterile, monotonous, and deadly boring.
Most topics are in fact overdone, and this is not necessarily
a bad thing, but a unique and convincing answer to
a classic topic can pay off big. Furthermore, when
applying to a competitive program that might be out
of your reach, taking a risk in the essay may help
your chances by standing out.
Admissions
Officer Says: “Applicants
should not be afraid to go out on a limb and be themselves-even
when that means incorporating humor or being a little
bit controversial.”
8.
Am I being myself?
Admissions officers want to learn about you and your
writing ability. You must develop your own voice and
tell YOUR story, not the story you think the reader
wants to hear. Write about something meaningful and
describe what you did and felt, and your essay will
be unique. Many people travel to foreign countries
or win competitions, but your feelings during these
events are unique to you. Unless a philosophy or societal
problem has interested you intensely for years, stay
away from grand themes that you have little personal
experience with.
Admissions
Officer Says: “It
is through the essay that the admissions officers
reading the application will feel that they have
truly gotten to know you.”
9.
Does my topic avoid hot-button issues that may offend
the reader? If
you write on how everyone should worship your God,
how wrong or right abortion is, or how you think the
Republican Party is evil, you will not get into the
college of your choice. The only thing worse than not
writing a memorable essay is writing an essay that
will be remembered negatively. Stay away from specific
religions, political doctrines, or controversial opinions.
You can still write an essay about Nietzsche's influence
on your life, but express understanding that not all
intelligent people will agree with Nietzsche's claims.
Emphasize instead Nietzsche's influence on YOUR life,
and not why you think he was wrong or right in his
beliefs.
Admissions
Officer Says: “It
is dangerous for a non-professional (especially a
high school student) to attempt writing as though
the essay will be presented at a professional conference.
You may be writing to someone who knows much more
than you and will be irritated by your hackneyed
proclamations.”
10.
Is my essay honest? Unless
you are a truly excellent writer, your best, most passionate
writing will be about events that actually occurred.
While you might be tempted to invent hardship, it is
completely unnecessary. Write an essay about your life
that demonstrates your personality.
Admissions
Officer Says: “After
15 years of reading hundreds of essays a year, you
develop an amazing ability to see straight through
the bull.”
11.
Will an admissions officer remember my topic after
a day of reading hundreds of essays? What
will the officer remember about your topic? What will
the officer remember about you? What will your lasting
impression be?
12.
If you are writing about something unfortunate that
has happened to you, ask: Am I able to highlight my
impressive qualities under difficult circumstances
without sounding pathetic? Unless
you only use the experience as a lens with which to
magnify your own personal characteristics, you will
not write a good essay. Graduate and professional school
applicants should generally steer clear of this topic
altogether unless the experience can arguably help
one become a better businessman, doctor, lawyer, or
scholar.
13.
Does my essay fit in well with the rest of my application? Does
it explain the unexplained and steer clear of what
is already obvious? For example, if you have a 4.0
GPA and a 1500 SAT, no one doubts your ability to do
the academic work; addressing this topic would be ridiculous.
However, if you have an 850 SAT and a 3.9 GPA or a
1450 SAT and a 2.5 GPA, you would be wise to incorporate
into your essay an explanation for the apparent contradiction.
For example, perhaps you were hospitalized or family
concerns prevented your dedication to academics; you
would want to mention this in your essay. However,
do not make your essay one giant excuse. Simply give
a quick, convincing explanation within the framework
of your larger essay.
14.
Does my topic avoid mentioning my weaknesses? You
want to make a positive first impression, and telling
an admissions officer anything about drinking, drugs,
or partying undermines your goal. EssayEdge editors
have read more essays on ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
than we would hope. Why admit to weakness when you
can instead showcase your strengths?
15.
If you think you can add diversity to the school to
which you are applying, ask: Does my essay specifically
demonstrate how my uniqueness will contribute to the
realm of campus opinion, the academic environment,
or the social life? Every
college, professional school, or graduate school wants
to increase diversity. For this reason, so many applicants
are tempted to declare what makes them different. However,
simply saying that you are a black, lesbian female
will not impress admissions officers in the least.
While an essay incorporating this information would
probably be your best topic idea, you must subtly handle
the issue by addressing your own personal qualities
and how you overcame stigma or dealt with social ostracism.
If you are a rich student from Beverly Hills whose
father is an engineer and whose mother is a lawyer,
but you happen to be a minority, an essay about how
you dealt with adversity would be unwise.
