Writing An Admission Essay

Starting Your Essay

• Make certain you understand the question or the topic. Your essay should answer the question or speak directly to the given topic.
• List all ideas. Be creative. Brainstorm without censoring.
• Sort through ideas and prioritize. You cannot tell them everything, Be selective.
• Choose information and ideas which are not reflected in other parts of your application. This is your chance to supplement your application with information you want them to know.
• Be persuasive in showing the reader you are deserving of admission. Remember your audience.

• Develop paragraphs, one idea at a time, with topic sentences, using examples or giving convincing reasons.
• Make transitions between paragraphs.
• Select action verbs and avoid the passive voice.
• Use concrete examples. Often examples of behavior demonstrate an idea better than an adjective.
• Develop exact, concrete language. Avoid vague references, wordy usage or clichés.

1. Does your introduction capture the reader's attention?
2. Are you consistent in your verb tense?
3. Are you clear and coherent?
4. Are you concise enough to adhere to the limits in length?
5. Have you checked for grammatical and spelling errors?
6. Does the essay present you as you wish to be seen?
7. Did another person review your essay for possible mistakes?
8. Would you remember your essay if you read one hundred others?
9. Does your closing paragraph present you as you wish to be remembered?

• Some applications list a preference for typed or handwritten work. Regardless of the preference, the application should be neat and legible.
• Retain a copy for your records.