Getting A Head Start On College Application Essays: Impact and InitiativeRebecca Joseph
The document provides tips for writing effective college application essays, including focusing on impact, leadership, and initiative when sharing stories. It recommends using an "Into, Through, and Beyond" structure, with active writing to draw the reader in and show qualities through specific examples and details. Students should have others proofread their essays and take time to develop their ideas fully. The goal is to authentically represent oneself and one's accomplishments to stand out from other applicants.
Share, Reflect, Stand Out: Strategies to Write Powerful College Application E...Rebecca Joseph
The document provides strategies for writing powerful college application essays, including brainstorming topics, developing a master chart of all essay prompts, and finding patterns between essays to write the fewest most effective ones. It also offers tips for the four major types of applications and summarizes the importance and role of personal statements in the admissions process.
2014 Communicating Your Story: 10 Tips for Powerful College App EssaysRebecca Joseph
Here are the qualities I see revealed in each short response:
Volunteer response: caring, nurturing, attentive to children's well-being and development, able to form emotional connections.
Work response: dedicated, determined, patient, sees potential in others and wants to help them succeed, cares about public education.
Internship response: observant of community challenges, interested in health disparities and social issues, gained insight from internship experience.
“Activity and Character Driven College Application Essays: Ten Tips”Rebecca Joseph
College application essays matter. Many young people get stuck thinking of topics. This powerpoint provides ten tips to get them started. “Activity and Character Driven College Application Essays: Ten Tips”
Communicating Your Stories: Ten Tips For Writing Powerful College Application...Rebecca Joseph
This document provides tips for writing powerful college application essays. It discusses the importance of essays in the admissions process and emphasizes that essays allow applicants to share their unique stories and qualities. The document recommends developing a strategic essay writing plan that uses core essays across multiple college applications to communicate key aspects of the applicant. It also suggests brainstorming techniques like making a resume, writing about activities, and looking at model essays to help identify topics.
This chapter discusses the importance of organization for writing successful essays. It recommends spending one-fourth of the allotted time on prewriting and organization activities like freewriting, brainstorming, and outlining. These techniques help generate and clarify ideas before writing begins. The chapter also emphasizes that organization benefits both the writer and reader by providing direction and mapping out how different points support the thesis.
Getting A Head Start On College Application Essays: Impact and InitiativeRebecca Joseph
The document provides tips for writing effective college application essays, including focusing on impact, leadership, and initiative when sharing stories. It recommends using an "Into, Through, and Beyond" structure, with active writing to draw the reader in and show qualities through specific examples and details. Students should have others proofread their essays and take time to develop their ideas fully. The goal is to authentically represent oneself and one's accomplishments to stand out from other applicants.
Share, Reflect, Stand Out: Strategies to Write Powerful College Application E...Rebecca Joseph
The document provides strategies for writing powerful college application essays, including brainstorming topics, developing a master chart of all essay prompts, and finding patterns between essays to write the fewest most effective ones. It also offers tips for the four major types of applications and summarizes the importance and role of personal statements in the admissions process.
2014 Communicating Your Story: 10 Tips for Powerful College App EssaysRebecca Joseph
Here are the qualities I see revealed in each short response:
Volunteer response: caring, nurturing, attentive to children's well-being and development, able to form emotional connections.
Work response: dedicated, determined, patient, sees potential in others and wants to help them succeed, cares about public education.
Internship response: observant of community challenges, interested in health disparities and social issues, gained insight from internship experience.
“Activity and Character Driven College Application Essays: Ten Tips”Rebecca Joseph
College application essays matter. Many young people get stuck thinking of topics. This powerpoint provides ten tips to get them started. “Activity and Character Driven College Application Essays: Ten Tips”
Communicating Your Stories: Ten Tips For Writing Powerful College Application...Rebecca Joseph
This document provides tips for writing powerful college application essays. It discusses the importance of essays in the admissions process and emphasizes that essays allow applicants to share their unique stories and qualities. The document recommends developing a strategic essay writing plan that uses core essays across multiple college applications to communicate key aspects of the applicant. It also suggests brainstorming techniques like making a resume, writing about activities, and looking at model essays to help identify topics.
This chapter discusses the importance of organization for writing successful essays. It recommends spending one-fourth of the allotted time on prewriting and organization activities like freewriting, brainstorming, and outlining. These techniques help generate and clarify ideas before writing begins. The chapter also emphasizes that organization benefits both the writer and reader by providing direction and mapping out how different points support the thesis.
Writing Great College Application Essays That Pop!!! Rebecca Joseph
I gave this presentation at the Orange County School of the Arts 2013 College Night. It is essential that students and families see the importance of college application essays and the ways students can use these powerful essays to communicate unique stories and qualities.
Communicating Their Stories: Strategies to Help Students Write Powerful Colle...Rebecca Joseph
This document provides a 10-day curriculum to help high school students write powerful college application and scholarship essays. The objectives are to help students identify their unique stories and qualities, brainstorm counter-narrative essay topics, and develop autobiographical narratives using effective techniques. The curriculum includes activities like preparing a strong resume, reviewing essay examples, identifying core qualities and stories, and writing draft essays. It is designed to help students convey who they are and how they have empowered themselves in a way that will stand out to admissions officers.
“Telling Your Story: Ten Tips For Writing Powerful College EssaysRebecca Joseph
This is my powerpoint from my College Greenlight presentation about college application essays. It's short and sweet. You need to tell stories that show your leadership and initiative. Jump off the page.
2014 NACAC 2014: Make Your Stories Pop: Strategies to Help Students Share The...Rebecca Joseph
2014 NACAC: Make Your Stories Pop: Strategies to Help Students Share Their Own Unique Voices in College Application Essays: This is the presentation from Rebecca Joseph, Margit Dahl, Valerie Gregory, and Anya Good with tips towards the end of the ppt.
2013 Atwater Village Branch of Los Angeles Public LibrariesRebecca Joseph
This document provides 10 tips for writing powerful college application essays. It discusses the importance of essays in the admissions process and encourages students to view each essay as an opportunity to share their authentic selves. The tips include developing an overall essay writing plan, keeping a chart of all required essays, looking for ways to reuse essays, sharing one's core qualities and stories through an "into, through, and beyond" structure, and getting feedback on drafts. The document also provides examples of effective essay topics and structures to help students generate ideas for their own compelling application essays.
What Did You Do Last Summer? 2015 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars...Rebecca Joseph
College application essays make or break many college admissions decisions. Here is my presentation to amazing rising seniors at the 2015 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation weekend.
The document provides guidance for writing a graduate school statement of purpose. It discusses the different types of essays that graduate programs may require, including general statements of purpose and essays that answer specific questions. The document offers tips for developing ideas, examples to support points, and outlines what to include in the essay like background, goals, and interest in the program/university. It also provides sample essay questions, worksheets, and a sample statement of purpose to help students structure their own strong essays.
How to write a winner essay for college and scholarship applications.The Free School
This document provides guidance on writing effective college and scholarship application essays. It discusses different types of essay questions and formats that are commonly required. Key tips include researching the specific institution's requirements, distinguishing yourself through originality and passion, and ensuring excellent spelling and grammar. Examples of strong essays from past applicants are sometimes available on college websites for inspiration. The overall message is to write honestly about something meaningful and let your unique qualities shine through.
How to write cv, sop and email to professorismail khan
This document provides guidance on how to write a research CV without previous research experience. It recommends including details of semester projects from your undergraduate degree and treating them as research experience. The key sections to include are: contact information, education history with university links, a final year project abstract, abstracts for semester projects focusing on those most relevant to the target professor's interests, any internships or seminars, technical skills, and awards. Listing semester projects demonstrates work done in the past and helps professors think the applicant has research experience. The CV can be up to 4 pages long for fresh graduates. Writing it in this way and including semester project details can help applicants get acceptance letters from professors even with lower GPAs.
The document provides guidance on writing effective personal statements for graduate school applications. It discusses two main types of personal statements - general statements and responses to specific questions. It then lists numerous questions for applicants to consider answering in their statements to demonstrate why they are a strong candidate. The document emphasizes answering the specific questions asked, telling a story with concrete examples, being specific, finding an angle, concentrating on the opening paragraph, detailing relevant experience and knowledge, avoiding certain subjects, doing research on the school, writing well, and avoiding cliches. It also provides two examples of successful personal statements that incorporate these recommendations.
This document provides information and tips about creating an effective curriculum vitae (CV). It discusses the typical sections of a CV including contact information, personal statement, employment history, education, and references. Key points emphasized include tailoring the CV and cover letter to each job application, using concise bullet points, and focusing on measurable achievements and skills relevant to the job. Common errors like spelling mistakes, lack of specifics, and irrelevant details are also outlined.
This document provides an agenda for a network meeting in 2013. The agenda includes opening Symbaloo and NYSED PPTs, various housekeeping items like bullying, professional development, and website changes. It also discusses weekly news, copyright, advocacy, and Overdrive. There is discussion of a character education program for preteens and teens that addresses bullying, self-confidence, and other issues. Rigor, evaluations, and depth of knowledge are discussed in planning lessons. The use of mentor texts and close reading are also covered.
SOC 463/663 (Social Psych of Education) - Spring 2015 SyllabusMelanie Tannenbaum
This document provides information about a Social Psychology of Education course. It outlines the course details including the instructor's contact information, required materials, course objectives, assignments, grading criteria, exam dates, reading schedule, and policies. The course will use a social-psychological approach to examine questions related to academic success and the role of schools. Undergraduate students must complete 3 essays and graduate students' essays require more sources. Students will also write weekly reading responses and take a midterm and final exam. Topics will include socialization, ability grouping, stratification, and diversity.
This document outlines the syllabus for an online English 102 course titled "Writing About Place & Identity" taught during the summer of 2019. The course focuses on applying principles of expository and argumentative essay writing through exploring how one's environment shapes their life and identity. Major assignments include a personal narrative essay, annotated bibliography, exploratory research essay, and op-ed essay. The course aims to help students develop composition and research skills to communicate effectively for different audiences and contexts. It provides learning outcomes, assignment requirements and deadlines, grading policies, textbook information, and instructor contact details.
De vry engl 147 all assignments latest 2016 novemberlenasour
This document provides instructions for an annotated bibliography assignment for an English
composition course. It asks the student to write an introductory paragraph about their research topic
and thesis statement. It then instructs them to include five annotated references in APA format with
summaries of the source material, main points, and relevance to their research as well as comments on
credibility, reliability, and timeliness. The annotations should follow the introductory paragraph with
references in alphabetical order and a hanging indent format.
Two weeks ago, you learned about global dimensions of education. lraju957290
This document provides guidance for conducting a multicultural interview as an assignment in an educational research course. It discusses different types of interviews (structured, semi-structured, unstructured) and recommends choosing a type based on personal skills and preferences. Guidelines are given for contacting the interview subject, preparing questions, conducting the interview respectfully and within 30 minutes, and submitting the recording or transcript. Students are instructed to ask questions about the subject's cultural identities and perspectives. The goal is for students to learn about other cultures through meaningful conversations and to practice qualitative research techniques.
This document provides information about a curriculum called CAHSEE on Target designed to help students prepare for the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). It discusses the content covered on the English Language Arts section of the CAHSEE and describes the five types of reading comprehension questions tested. For each question type, it provides the corresponding reading strategy students should use, such as skimming and scanning the text for specific details or considering the overall theme or main ideas. The document aims to equip students with effective techniques for answering different kinds of reading questions on the CAHSEE.
The document summarizes strategies for improving reading comprehension. It discusses connecting students to texts before, during, and after reading through building background knowledge, understanding text structure, establishing a purpose, and writing about or discussing what was read. It also addresses assessing whether students can comprehend textbook passages independently and providing support through pre-reading activities and simplified materials when needed. Formative assessment techniques are recommended to identify students struggling with reading speed, comprehension, or vocabulary.
This document provides the syllabus for an English graduate seminar on teaching young adult literature in times of upheaval. The course will explore award-winning young adult novels to develop critical literacy and an awareness of interconnectedness. Students will read one theory text, six novels, and submit three response posts and a final 15-20 page project. Class sessions held on Zoom will include close readings and discussions to elucidate key concepts. Academic integrity and respect for diversity are emphasized. The schedule outlines readings and assignments for each class session.
A short story focuses on one main incident or plot within a limited timeframe and set of characters. It can typically be read in one sitting due to its shorter length, which is usually between 1,000 to 20,000 words. A short story contains the basic narrative elements of a lead, main character introduction, setting, problem introduction, plot development towards a climax, character change, and resolution.
This document provides instructions on how to write an example/illustration essay. It explains that the goal is to provide examples that support a thesis statement, rather than analysis. It cautions that examples should have a clear point and be limited in number. A thesis statement giving examples purpose is needed. The structure involves an introduction stating the thesis, a body with 2-4 examples supporting the thesis, and a conclusion restating the thesis and drawing conclusions from the examples.
Writing Great College Application Essays That Pop!!! Rebecca Joseph
I gave this presentation at the Orange County School of the Arts 2013 College Night. It is essential that students and families see the importance of college application essays and the ways students can use these powerful essays to communicate unique stories and qualities.
Communicating Their Stories: Strategies to Help Students Write Powerful Colle...Rebecca Joseph
This document provides a 10-day curriculum to help high school students write powerful college application and scholarship essays. The objectives are to help students identify their unique stories and qualities, brainstorm counter-narrative essay topics, and develop autobiographical narratives using effective techniques. The curriculum includes activities like preparing a strong resume, reviewing essay examples, identifying core qualities and stories, and writing draft essays. It is designed to help students convey who they are and how they have empowered themselves in a way that will stand out to admissions officers.
“Telling Your Story: Ten Tips For Writing Powerful College EssaysRebecca Joseph
This is my powerpoint from my College Greenlight presentation about college application essays. It's short and sweet. You need to tell stories that show your leadership and initiative. Jump off the page.
2014 NACAC 2014: Make Your Stories Pop: Strategies to Help Students Share The...Rebecca Joseph
2014 NACAC: Make Your Stories Pop: Strategies to Help Students Share Their Own Unique Voices in College Application Essays: This is the presentation from Rebecca Joseph, Margit Dahl, Valerie Gregory, and Anya Good with tips towards the end of the ppt.
2013 Atwater Village Branch of Los Angeles Public LibrariesRebecca Joseph
This document provides 10 tips for writing powerful college application essays. It discusses the importance of essays in the admissions process and encourages students to view each essay as an opportunity to share their authentic selves. The tips include developing an overall essay writing plan, keeping a chart of all required essays, looking for ways to reuse essays, sharing one's core qualities and stories through an "into, through, and beyond" structure, and getting feedback on drafts. The document also provides examples of effective essay topics and structures to help students generate ideas for their own compelling application essays.
What Did You Do Last Summer? 2015 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars...Rebecca Joseph
College application essays make or break many college admissions decisions. Here is my presentation to amazing rising seniors at the 2015 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation weekend.
The document provides guidance for writing a graduate school statement of purpose. It discusses the different types of essays that graduate programs may require, including general statements of purpose and essays that answer specific questions. The document offers tips for developing ideas, examples to support points, and outlines what to include in the essay like background, goals, and interest in the program/university. It also provides sample essay questions, worksheets, and a sample statement of purpose to help students structure their own strong essays.
How to write a winner essay for college and scholarship applications.The Free School
This document provides guidance on writing effective college and scholarship application essays. It discusses different types of essay questions and formats that are commonly required. Key tips include researching the specific institution's requirements, distinguishing yourself through originality and passion, and ensuring excellent spelling and grammar. Examples of strong essays from past applicants are sometimes available on college websites for inspiration. The overall message is to write honestly about something meaningful and let your unique qualities shine through.
How to write cv, sop and email to professorismail khan
This document provides guidance on how to write a research CV without previous research experience. It recommends including details of semester projects from your undergraduate degree and treating them as research experience. The key sections to include are: contact information, education history with university links, a final year project abstract, abstracts for semester projects focusing on those most relevant to the target professor's interests, any internships or seminars, technical skills, and awards. Listing semester projects demonstrates work done in the past and helps professors think the applicant has research experience. The CV can be up to 4 pages long for fresh graduates. Writing it in this way and including semester project details can help applicants get acceptance letters from professors even with lower GPAs.
The document provides guidance on writing effective personal statements for graduate school applications. It discusses two main types of personal statements - general statements and responses to specific questions. It then lists numerous questions for applicants to consider answering in their statements to demonstrate why they are a strong candidate. The document emphasizes answering the specific questions asked, telling a story with concrete examples, being specific, finding an angle, concentrating on the opening paragraph, detailing relevant experience and knowledge, avoiding certain subjects, doing research on the school, writing well, and avoiding cliches. It also provides two examples of successful personal statements that incorporate these recommendations.
This document provides information and tips about creating an effective curriculum vitae (CV). It discusses the typical sections of a CV including contact information, personal statement, employment history, education, and references. Key points emphasized include tailoring the CV and cover letter to each job application, using concise bullet points, and focusing on measurable achievements and skills relevant to the job. Common errors like spelling mistakes, lack of specifics, and irrelevant details are also outlined.
This document provides an agenda for a network meeting in 2013. The agenda includes opening Symbaloo and NYSED PPTs, various housekeeping items like bullying, professional development, and website changes. It also discusses weekly news, copyright, advocacy, and Overdrive. There is discussion of a character education program for preteens and teens that addresses bullying, self-confidence, and other issues. Rigor, evaluations, and depth of knowledge are discussed in planning lessons. The use of mentor texts and close reading are also covered.
SOC 463/663 (Social Psych of Education) - Spring 2015 SyllabusMelanie Tannenbaum
This document provides information about a Social Psychology of Education course. It outlines the course details including the instructor's contact information, required materials, course objectives, assignments, grading criteria, exam dates, reading schedule, and policies. The course will use a social-psychological approach to examine questions related to academic success and the role of schools. Undergraduate students must complete 3 essays and graduate students' essays require more sources. Students will also write weekly reading responses and take a midterm and final exam. Topics will include socialization, ability grouping, stratification, and diversity.
This document outlines the syllabus for an online English 102 course titled "Writing About Place & Identity" taught during the summer of 2019. The course focuses on applying principles of expository and argumentative essay writing through exploring how one's environment shapes their life and identity. Major assignments include a personal narrative essay, annotated bibliography, exploratory research essay, and op-ed essay. The course aims to help students develop composition and research skills to communicate effectively for different audiences and contexts. It provides learning outcomes, assignment requirements and deadlines, grading policies, textbook information, and instructor contact details.
De vry engl 147 all assignments latest 2016 novemberlenasour
This document provides instructions for an annotated bibliography assignment for an English
composition course. It asks the student to write an introductory paragraph about their research topic
and thesis statement. It then instructs them to include five annotated references in APA format with
summaries of the source material, main points, and relevance to their research as well as comments on
credibility, reliability, and timeliness. The annotations should follow the introductory paragraph with
references in alphabetical order and a hanging indent format.
Two weeks ago, you learned about global dimensions of education. lraju957290
This document provides guidance for conducting a multicultural interview as an assignment in an educational research course. It discusses different types of interviews (structured, semi-structured, unstructured) and recommends choosing a type based on personal skills and preferences. Guidelines are given for contacting the interview subject, preparing questions, conducting the interview respectfully and within 30 minutes, and submitting the recording or transcript. Students are instructed to ask questions about the subject's cultural identities and perspectives. The goal is for students to learn about other cultures through meaningful conversations and to practice qualitative research techniques.
This document provides information about a curriculum called CAHSEE on Target designed to help students prepare for the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). It discusses the content covered on the English Language Arts section of the CAHSEE and describes the five types of reading comprehension questions tested. For each question type, it provides the corresponding reading strategy students should use, such as skimming and scanning the text for specific details or considering the overall theme or main ideas. The document aims to equip students with effective techniques for answering different kinds of reading questions on the CAHSEE.
The document summarizes strategies for improving reading comprehension. It discusses connecting students to texts before, during, and after reading through building background knowledge, understanding text structure, establishing a purpose, and writing about or discussing what was read. It also addresses assessing whether students can comprehend textbook passages independently and providing support through pre-reading activities and simplified materials when needed. Formative assessment techniques are recommended to identify students struggling with reading speed, comprehension, or vocabulary.
This document provides the syllabus for an English graduate seminar on teaching young adult literature in times of upheaval. The course will explore award-winning young adult novels to develop critical literacy and an awareness of interconnectedness. Students will read one theory text, six novels, and submit three response posts and a final 15-20 page project. Class sessions held on Zoom will include close readings and discussions to elucidate key concepts. Academic integrity and respect for diversity are emphasized. The schedule outlines readings and assignments for each class session.
A short story focuses on one main incident or plot within a limited timeframe and set of characters. It can typically be read in one sitting due to its shorter length, which is usually between 1,000 to 20,000 words. A short story contains the basic narrative elements of a lead, main character introduction, setting, problem introduction, plot development towards a climax, character change, and resolution.
This document provides instructions on how to write an example/illustration essay. It explains that the goal is to provide examples that support a thesis statement, rather than analysis. It cautions that examples should have a clear point and be limited in number. A thesis statement giving examples purpose is needed. The structure involves an introduction stating the thesis, a body with 2-4 examples supporting the thesis, and a conclusion restating the thesis and drawing conclusions from the examples.
This document provides information and examples about business letters and application letters. It includes the meaning and formats of business letters and application letters, as well as examples of different types of business letters like request, inquiry, and complaint letters. The formats describe the structure of the letters, including addressing the recipient, writing the body, making requests, and closing the letter. The examples demonstrate filled-out letters of application and business letters.
An Introduction to Essay: Its Parts and KindsCecilia Manago
An essay is a short non-fiction work about a subject that can be formal or informal in tone and style. It has an introduction that introduces the topic and thesis, body paragraphs that provide evidence and support the thesis, and a conclusion that restates the main idea without introducing new information. There are different types of essays including descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive essays. Effective essays have clearly defined elements like audience, purpose, subject, point of view, theme, mood, tone, and style.
This document provides tips for writing a successful essay. It recommends choosing an interesting topic you are passionate about and sticking to the scope. The essay should be planned with a clear structure and flow of ideas. The introduction should capture the reader's interest and indicate the overall purpose and structure. The body should develop the main ideas in a logical, persuasive manner using facts and examples. The conclusion should summarize the main points without introducing new ideas and leave the reader with a clear takeaway. Proper reviewing and proofreading is important to create a cohesive, well-written final draft.
The document provides guidance on writing a successful college application essay. It discusses selecting an engaging topic that reflects who you are, establishing an authentic tone, and using examples and stories to show rather than tell about your characteristics. The essay writing process should start early and involve multiple drafts. Students are advised to have teachers, counselors, and writing tools review their essays to catch errors before submitting their final draft. The goal is to craft a compelling narrative that gives admissions officers insights beyond just grades and scores.
2016 Palisades Charter High School College FairRebecca Joseph
This is my 2016 Communicating Your Stories: Ten Tips For Writing Powerful College Application Essays Presentation. Please share and give me any feedback.
Communicating Your Story: Ten Tips For Writing Powerful College Application E...Rebecca Joseph
This is my presentation at Arcadia High School on October 5, 2016. We need to help all students see how to share unique powerful stories in their application essays.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing personal statements for college application essays. It discusses choosing options and goals, and how universities use the statements. The purpose is to provide clarity, depth, and context beyond other application materials. Students are advised to brainstorm qualities, experiences, and accomplishments before writing, and to address the two prompts within the word limit. The document then provides sample prompts, outlines, and advice to help students avoid common mistakes in their writing.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing personal statements for college application essays. It discusses choosing options and goals, and how universities use the statements. The purpose is to provide clarity, depth, and context beyond other application materials. Students are advised to brainstorm qualities, experiences, and accomplishments before drafting their essays in response to prompts about intended major, personal qualities, and reasons for transferring schools. The document cautions against common mistakes and introduces faculty leading a workshop on revising statements.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing personal statements for college application essays. It discusses choosing options and goals, and how universities use the statements. The purpose is to provide clarity, depth, and context beyond other application materials. Students are advised to brainstorm qualities, experiences, and accomplishments before drafting their essays in response to prompts about intended major, personal qualities, and reasons for transferring schools. The document cautions against common mistakes and introduces faculty leading a workshop on revising statements.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing personal statements for college application essays. It discusses choosing options and goals, and how universities use the statements. The purpose is to provide clarity, depth, and context beyond other application materials. Students are advised to brainstorm qualities, experiences, and accomplishments before drafting responses to two prompts for the University of California application. The document also covers the Common Application transfer student prompt. It provides outlines and warns against common mistakes in personal statements.
The document provides information about writing college application essays. It discusses the purpose of the college essay, which is to showcase writing ability and share something personal about the applicant. It reviews common application essay prompts and gives tips for choosing a topic, drafting, revising, and polishing the essay. Supplemental essays for individual colleges are also addressed. A timeline is included that recommends starting the essay process early.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing application essays. It discusses the purpose and goals of personal statements, outlines the UC application prompts, and provides samples and exercises to help students generate content for their essays. Key points covered include addressing both UC prompts in under 1,000 words, focusing on qualities, experiences, and goals rather than pride, and avoiding common mistakes like multiple topics or stretching the truth. Small group work is also offered for brainstorming, revising, and editing essays.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing personal statements for college applications. It discusses choosing options and goals, how admissions committees use the statements, and the purpose of adding clarity, depth and context. It then outlines prompts for two required essays for University of California applications and exercises for generating content. Finally, it introduces faculty who will provide small group and individual support for brainstorming, revising and editing application essays.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing personal statements for college applications. It discusses the purpose and goals of personal statements, including providing context and depth beyond academic records. Students are guided through brainstorming exercises to generate content for two required prompts from the University of California application and one transfer student prompt. The document reviews common application mistakes to avoid and introduces faculty who will provide small group and individual assistance with essay writing.
This document provides an agenda and guidance for writing personal statements for college applications. It discusses the purpose and prompts for UC application essays, including addressing two prompts within a 1000 word limit. Students are guided through brainstorming exercises to generate content for the essays, focusing on qualities, talents, accomplishments, contributions, experiences, and intended major. Common mistakes to avoid are also outlined, such as being too general, repetitive, or stretching the truth. The document introduces workshop faculty who will provide small group and individual help with essay writing.
Making Your College Applications Stand OutRebecca Joseph
2018 College Fair Extraordinaire. Here are 10 tips to help you make your college application stand out. There is no time like the present to prepare outstanding college applications.
This document provides an overview and agenda for a workshop on writing application essays. It discusses how to choose options and goals, and outlines the prompts and requirements for UC personal statements. It emphasizes starting early, avoiding pride, focusing on insights rather than accomplishments, and provides examples to help generate content for the essays. Common application mistakes are highlighted such as being too specific, using inappropriate humor, and including multiple topics. Faculty bios are introduced to familiarize participants with workshop leaders.
The document provides guidance on writing a strong personal statement for university applications. It begins by explaining the purpose of the personal statement and how it will be reviewed. It then offers tips on structure, content, and style. Examples of both strong and weak personal statements are provided for different subject areas. The document concludes by answering common questions and providing references for additional help.
The document discusses what happens to a person at death from a philosophical perspective. Students are instructed to write an essay of 800-1000 words addressing their personal worldview on seven questions, including what happens to a person at death. They are to discuss concepts like spirituality, pluralism, and postmodernism. The essay must follow APA guidelines and address the fundamental questions from a philosophical standpoint.
This document provides guidance and instructions for students preparing to apply to college. It discusses resume guidelines, interview preparation tips, sample interview questions, characteristics to look for in colleges, the importance of practicing writing college essays, common essay prompts, and timelines for high school freshman through junior years to stay on track for the college application process. Students are encouraged to visit schools, research academics and extracurricular opportunities, and get help from mentors throughout their high school years.
Statement of Purpose Guidelines for Study Abroad - msmbasop.pdfTeammsmbasop
The document provides guidance on writing an effective Statement of Purpose (SOP) for graduate school applications. It discusses key points to address in the SOP, including discussing formative experiences that sparked your interest in the field and how you can contribute. The SOP should demonstrate your fit for and enthusiasm about the specific university and program. It also outlines common mistakes to avoid, such as exceeding the word limit, using negative language, or focusing too much on past failures. Proofreading is emphasized as important to catch any errors.
Similar to Telling Your Story: Two Hour Presentation (19)
Getting to Know You: Tips for Writing Power College Application EssaysRebecca Joseph
This document provides information about writing college application essays for the University of California (UC) system. It outlines the different sections of the UC application, including activities and awards, education preparation programs, extracurricular activities, honors received, and personal insight questions. It provides examples of prompts for each section and sample student responses. The key pieces of information the UC looks at in applications are academic history, test scores, activities, awards, and personal insight questions. Students have the opportunity to describe up to 20 activities across 6 categories and must respond to 4 out of 8 personal insight questions.
This document provides an overview of the four systems of higher education in California - community colleges, California State Universities, Universities of California, and private universities. It discusses admissions requirements, degrees offered, costs, and examples of students who attended each system. Tips are provided for students on creating a high school plan to meet admissions requirements and scholarships are advertised.
Fall 2020 Making Your College Application Stand OutRebecca Joseph
This document provides advice to students on how to make their college applications stand out. It discusses the various factors colleges consider like grades, test scores, course rigor, applications, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest. It emphasizes the importance of a strong senior year and maintaining good grades. Specific tips are provided for each application component like having recommendation letters submitted on time and keeping track of application statuses and deadlines. Students are encouraged to visit colleges, participate in online events, and demonstrate continued interest in their top schools. The overall message is that with preparation and effort, students can successfully complete their applications.
Summer 2019 College Application Essay WorkshopRebecca Joseph
The document describes running in a rainy marathon with middle school students the author had been training for eight months. Though the rain and wind made conditions difficult, the author and one student she was running with persevered and completed the marathon course together, with the author providing encouragement during the challenging final miles. The experience of overcoming the weather obstacles and supporting the student through the race highlighted the rewards of mentoring and motivation.
"Tips for Writing Powerful College Application Essays: Dr. Rebecca Joseph, Associate Professor at California State
University and college essay and admission expert, will present information to assist you with writing your UC personal insight questions as well as essays for a variety of college
applications. Parents are welcome." Presentation in spring 2019.
This document provides information about getting ready for college. It introduces six students who are the first in their families to attend college and are utilizing various scholarships and financial aid programs. It also summarizes the California State University and University of California systems, including admissions requirements, costs, and majors. Community colleges and their transfer pathways are discussed. Private colleges of various types and sizes are also briefly outlined. The document encourages exploring college options and developing a transfer plan from community college.
2019 Matchmaker, Matchmaker Make Me A College MatchRebecca Joseph
Our 2019 WACAC Share Learn Connect Powerpoint. Tips from two regional college counselors and one college access expert about ways to help students find match colleges.
This document discusses strategies for well-rounded college applicants, including maintaining strong grades, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and application materials. It emphasizes the importance of extracurricular involvement in multiple activities throughout high school, including leadership roles in junior and senior year. Students are encouraged to gain experiences such as jobs, internships, volunteering, and courses during the summer. Counselors are identified as important allies who can write recommendation letters and provide advice.
Mastering the College Application LandscapeRebecca Joseph
We all can help our students for college access, readiness, and success. This presentation provides an update to current college readiness trends in California.
This document provides information about different college options including the California State University (CSU) system, University of California (UC) system, private colleges, and community colleges. It introduces six students who have attended different colleges and discusses their paths. It also summarizes programs like the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), costs for CSU, UC, and private colleges, and pathways to transfer from community college to a four-year institution. The document aims to help students develop a plan to attend the college that best fits their needs and qualifications.
High school students can build powerful college lists. Here are some tips to help. I recommend a 4x4 approach. Four Cal States, Four UCs, Four Privates, Four Scholarship.s You can adapt this approach to your students.
This document discusses how to afford college, including calculating costs and financial aid options. It explains that the total cost of attendance has direct costs like tuition and fees as well as indirect expenses. Financial need is determined by subtracting the estimated family contribution from the cost of attendance. There are three main types of financial aid - need-based aid like grants and subsidized loans, merit-based sources like scholarships, and non-need-based loans. The document provides tips for funding college such as completing the FAFSA early, saving money, applying for scholarships, and only taking out low-interest student loans if needed.
College applications can help seniors stand out in the complex application process. We provide tips and samples to help applicants make their essays stand out.
College Transforms Your Goals Into Reality: How To Find The Right Goal and Th...Rebecca Joseph
This document discusses supporting students in accessing and succeeding in college. It outlines the need for college-educated workers in California and various types of college preparation support available to students in high school and college. It also describes different types of colleges, what colleges look for in applications, and resources to help students explore options, apply, afford college, and ensure success. The goal is to help all students "go and thrive" in their college pursuits.
They Can Go and Thrive: Supporting Students in College Access and SuccessRebecca Joseph
This document provides guidance to students on accessing and succeeding in college. It outlines the key factors colleges consider in applications like academic performance, test scores, activities and passions. It also details support programs available to students and strategies for finding match colleges. Students are encouraged to take advantage of college fairs, visits and scholarships to make their best case for admission to universities. Counselors are urged to guide students to the many college options and supports available.
True Insight: Using UC and UT Essays for College Readiness, Admissions & SuccessRebecca Joseph
The presenters demonstrated how to use college application prompts to help high school students prepare for college. They discussed three UT Austin and four UC prompts in detail, providing examples of how students could respond and strategies for using the prompts. The goals were to help students understand themselves, stay on track academically, and guide the college application process. Students could brainstorm activities, interests, and leadership experiences to discuss. Drafting prompt responses early allows time for refinement and reuse in other essays.
True Insight: Using UC and UT Essays for College Readiness, Admissions & Success
Telling Your Story: Two Hour Presentation
1. “Telling Your Story: Writing
Powerful College Essays: Ten Tips”
Rebecca Joseph, PhD
rjoseph@calstatela.edu
facebook/twitter/instagram:
getmetocollege
Iphone/Google App: All College
ApplicationEssays
2. To get us started
1. Please write down three reasons why personal
statements can help you get admitted to college and to
receive huge amounts of free money.
2. Please tell me why admissions officers may get
sooooooooooooo bored reading many personal
statements?
3. What unique stories do you think you can tell an
admissions office about you to help you get into your
dream college and/or receive a merit scholarship?
3. How Important Are Essays?
What do American colleges look for?
1. Grades
2. Rigor of Coursework, School
3. Test Scores
4. Essays*
5. Recommendations-Teacher and/or Counselor
6. Activities-Consistency, development, leadership,
and initiative
7. Special skills, culture, connections, talents, and
passions
4. How Much Do College Admissions Essays Matter?
“How Much Do College Admissions Essays Matter”, USA Today.
"It's not a substitute for a rigorous curriculum, good grades and evidence that you're
going to do well," Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American
Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers said.
Still, the essay can make a difference.
The 10% rule: "If you have 18- or 20,000 applicants, for some of those students, the
essay makes a huge difference, both positively and negatively," says admissions dean at
the University of Virginia, where admissions counselors read every essay looking for
the student's voice.
Even the University of Texas which receives more than 250,000 applications per year
reads two essays per students as well as an optional resume.
The first challenge for the writer: picking a topic.
Any topic can work — or fail.
"It shouldn't be an essay about community service. It should be about a moment of
time," a college admissions officer said. "Start writing an essay about John who you met
at a homeless shelter who talked to you about his life. Like any piece of good writing,
then you're going to make that come alive.
The biggest problem for students, he said, is starting with too wide a focus. "By the time
they get to the details, they run out of space," he said. "I'm all for cutting to the chase."
5. So….Tip 1
Tip 1. College essays are fourth in importance
behind grades, test scores, and the rigor of
completed coursework in many admissions office
decisions. Don’t waste this powerful opportunity to
share your voice and express who you really are to
colleges. Great life stories make you jump off the
page and into your match colleges.
6. A New Paradigm
Tip 2. Develop an overall strategic essay writing
plan. College essays should work together to help
you communicate key qualities and stories not
available anywhere else in your application.
Remember:
The package of essays counts…not just one.
It’s the message that you communicate along with the power of your stories and
your writing
It’s your ability to take the reader into, through, and beyond your stories quickly
and memorably
Tell stories that belong just to you. That’s why a narrow and powerfully, personal
focus is key.
7. Essays = opportunity
Take control over the highest ranked non-academic aspect of
the application
Realize the package of essays counts…not just one
Share their voice
Empower students to take ownership of their stories
Express who they really are
Show (not tell) stories that belong only to them and help
them jump off the page
Challenge stereotypes
Reflect on their growth and development, including
accomplishments and service
Seek to understand what the admission officer is looking for
8. Four Major Application Types:
1. The Common Application
Many private and some public American use the centralized
Common Application with their own supplements
It will go live August 1.
www.commonapp.org
More than 550 colleges on this application
Most top colleges have supplements with additional essay
requirements. Don’t start writing any essays until you see all the
essays required for your top schools.
9. 1. Common Application Essays
One Long
250-650 words –actual limit as you upload it.
One Long:
Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please
share your story.
Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what
lessons did you learn?
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would
you make the same decision again?
Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or
experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from
childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Activities
The Common Application leaves room for 10 activities with 150 characters to describe your leadership
and initiative
Additional Information
The Common Application allows you to add additional information. Accepts up to 650 words.
Supplemental Essays
They range from one line to 500 words. Some schools have one, while other have three. They can overlap.
If it says optional, view it as mandatory.
12. Four Major Application Types:
2. Large Public Universities
Many large and most prominent public universities
have their own applications.
Universities of Arizona, California, Indiana, Maryland, Oregon,
Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin—to name just some
They each have different essay requirements.
They each have your report activities in a different way.
But there are ways to use your other essays here as well.
They have their own essays. You should gather their topics
and look for ways to use your common application essay as one
of your essays for the public colleges, and visa-versa.
13. UC California
Application Will Open August 1
Two essays
Respond to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000 words total.
You may allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one
prompt at greater length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less than 250
words.
Prompt #1 (freshman applicants)-[Outside-In]
Describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community or
school – and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Prompt #2 (all applicants) [Inside-Out]
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or
experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment
makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are
14.
15. University of Texas Essay Tips
Don’t tell us what you think we want to hear. The university’s essay readers don’t have a perfect essay in mind –
as a matter of fact essays that sound like all the rest of them – the essay that is expected – is more likely to be
overlooked.
Be yourself. Show us what makes you unique, how you’ve dealt with issues and problems, what you think about the
topic at hand. Good writing teachers tell their students to write about what they know. That’s good advice for college
essays, too.
Use a natural voice and style. Although it’s always important to use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation,
diction, etc., don’t write to try to impress anyone. Use words and a style that are appropriate for the topic you’re writing
about, for someone your age, and for someone who’s trying to communicate clearly and logically.
Don’t be overly informal either. Your essay will be read by an adult professional. In almost all cases, you should
avoid using words or phrases that you might use when texting someone or on a social networking site.
Develop your ideas. Although the length of your essay alone technically doesn’t matter, developing your ideas
completely does matter. If you can do that in a single page of text, that’s good; but if it takes you three pages or so, that’s
alright, too (as long as you’re not just adding words to make your essay longer). It’s not realistic to assume that you can
clearly communicate your unique perspective about anything in a short paragraph or two.
Organize your thoughts. All good writing has a beginning, a middle, and an end. That doesn’t mean you should be
formulaic in your writing (this isn’t a high school exit exam), but you should introduce your idea, provide interesting
examples and details in support of your idea, and come to some sort of conclusion at the end.
Don’t respond to the prompt as though you’re answering a question. Again, we don’t have a perfect essay in
mind. The prompt is supposed to get your mind churning, to make you want to tell us what you think about something
that’s important to you. Your essay is your opportunity to do that.
16. Four Major Application Types:
3. Private college specific applications
Fewer and fewer major private universities are not on the
common application
But there are still holdouts.
Georgetown and MIT to name a view.
Make sure you don’t write unnecessary essays as
Georgetown essays are like The Common Application.
17. Four Major Application Types:
4. Other systems
Some large public systems have their own
applications which do not require long, if any essays.
Yet their applications for financial aid or academic
support programs add in those requirements.
Washington State, for example, several short essays
which they share with other state systems.
The Universal Application is another system. It has
fewer colleges on it than The Common Application.
18. Develop A Master Chart
Tip 3. Keep a chart of all essays required by each
college, including short responses and optional
essays. View each essay or short response as a chance
to tell a new story and to share your core qualities.
I recommend three sheets.
1. Major deadlines and needs. Break it down by the four
application types
2. Core essays-Color code all the similar or overlapping essays.
3. Supplemental essays. Each college has extra requirements
on the common application. Again color code similar types:
Why are you a good match for us? How will you add to the
diversity of our campus?
19. Write the Fewest
Yet Most Effective Essays…
Tip 4. Look for patterns between colleges essay
requirements so that you can find ways to use essays
more than once. This holds true for scholarship
essays.
Be prepared to move essays around.
Sherlyn used her first Common App essay when schools
allowed her Guacamole essay as another long. They
became her two UT essays.
With Stanford-She used Guacamole to Common App long
and used other shorter topics for their shorts
20. Where to Begin: Brainstorm
Tip 5. Plan to share positive messages and powerful outcomes. You can start with
life or family challenges. You can describe obstacles you have overcome. You
can reflect on your growth and development, including accomplishments and
service. College admissions officers do not read minds, so tell them your
powerful life stories. Some states can use only socio-economic status, but not
race, in admissions, but in your essays, your voice and background can emerge.
Look or think about your resume…
Next to three of your listings, provide the traits you believe this activity helps
you show explicitly or implicitly to a college. Examples…empathetic, resilient,
determined, collaborative, creative, insightful, analytic, etc.
Add a story or key example to help us understand your leadership and initiative
with one listing.
If you don’t have a resume, look at Florisel’s and star the items you want to
know more about. Now add three items you would add to your resume and
follow the steps above.
21. Three Shorts- What Qualities Does Each Reveal?
Read the three sample shorts. What qualities do they reveal about each writer?
Work
I spent the year tutoring 45 students whose test scores did not meet the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) standards set by the state. Throughout
the year, I spent the time playing word games and math games with the kids, while secretly trying to find the secret to winning those games.
My time spent at Hoffman-Boston was such an amazing experience, but it was anything but easy. There were days when the students were
frustrated, and even days when I was discouraged. But I never gave up on them. I always came back the next Tuesday, ready to show them
addition and subtraction tricks I had up my sleeve. When they took their tests in May, 43 of the 45 students met the standards that they did
not meet the year before. Upon being recognized by the county for my volunteer work, I realized how much we were helping these kids. On a
larger scale, I realized how much I cared about the well-being of the students in the public school system. My work with these kids paralleled
my desire to excel at the hidden pictures. Those pictures, hidden within the contour of the portrait, mirrored the potential of these kids, many
of whom lived in single parent families, to push themselves and succeed.
Volunteer
A long line of little ducklings dawdles behind me. I begin singing Five Little Ducklings and they all follow with their own individual adorable
dances. The two year old children then toss pieces of bread into the pond, and I watch in awe as real baby ducks come trailing along towards
the kids. One duck is a little too friendly to one child, so being the mother goose I shoo away the duck and comfort my anxious duckling. The
kids I work with at the Westside Children’s Center for children coming from low income backgrounds are my heart and soul. Their well-being is
linked into mine and I can’t help but grow attached to each group of children I work with each summer. Their ability to grow emotionally and
mentally amazes me, and I love to watch their daily and weekly and even yearly individual and community transitions. As much as I wish I
could help out year round, I know my little ducklings go off on their own separate paths, but they will always leave an imprint in my heart.
Internship
Fast food restaurants have become a part of my memory of East L.A. I never noticed that every block I walked by had at least one liquor store.
Moms buying chips for their children as prizes for good grades or as a way to quiet them so they wouldn’t annoy people with their cries are a
common sight of my community. These liquor stores represent the many obstacles Latino families have in order to achieve a better life. The
irony behind their arduous struggle to cross borders and give their families a better life is hampered when the indecent and poor availability of
fresh food damages their health and leads to the generalization that Latinos are vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases. My internship last
summer with UCLA Center for Population Health and Health Disparities this past summer gave me the chance to change those statistics. The
internship consisted of being outdoors and indoors. In the morning I would plan promotion and use social marketing skills. In the afternoons, I
along with other students broke concrete on the hottest days of July and August, sweating and getting sored from using hand tools. I was
transforming one of the beer invaded stores into a store that would offer fresh fruits and vegetables and now is also offering exotic fruits and
spices. None the less the renewable energy class I took the previous summer influenced my perception of the ecological issues my world faced.
22. Reading A Set: Sherlynn’s Yale Essays
As we read each one-tell me the different qualities the
essays share with Yale
23. More Brainstorming
1. Think of three traits or experiences or stories you didn’t list that could
lead to a great long essay. I always believe something you do should be
embedded in it somehow. Living in two worlds---urban neighborhood
and elite private school. Growing up on a cattle farm yet being a
vegetarian committed to public health and healthy living.
2. Which activities or experiences can connect to them?
1
2
3
24. Stuck…here some tips to get you pick possible topics
1. Read through Dr. Joseph’s tips for
brainstorming. They include
1. Starting by writing three short activity statements
2. Reading model essays from actual college websites
3. Looking at other college’s essay prompts-U Chicago, Tufts
4. Writing a “Where I’m From” piece
5. Creating a letter to future roommate or an amazing list of
what makes you you.
6. Looking at 5 top FB and Instagram Pictures
7. Reading models from other scholars
25. 1st
person only.
Tip 6. Always write in the first person. Remember,
these are autobiographical essays, even when you
talk about other people. Remember the colleges are
looking to accept you, not your relatives. So use the
one third and two thirds rule. If you choose to write
about someone or something else, you must show
how it affected you for the majority of the essay. Your
essays show colleges why you belong on college
campuses and share how you will enrich diverse
communities.
26. Into, Through, and Beyond Essay Approach
Tip 7. Follow Dr. Joseph’s Into, Through, and Beyond approach.
Lead the reader INTO your story with a powerful beginning—a
story, an experience. Take them THROUGH your story with the
context and keys parts of your story. Make sure the reader
understands your initiative, leadership, development, and
continuity. End with the BEYOND message about how this
story has affected who you are now and who you want to be in
college and potentially after college. The beyond can be implied
in many pieces that are so strong that moralizing at the end if
not necessary.
It is not just the story that counts.
It’s the choice of qualities a student wants the college to know
about herself
27. Into
It’s the way the reader can lead the reader into the piece—images, examples, context.
The 1,200-degree scorching coals surprisingly left no imprint upon my soles. There were just the
hundreds of tiny embers glowing on the ground and the fire department on alert at the opposite end. I
had just walked on fire.
I was weak and exhausted. During the day we would protest across from the Armenian Embassy in
Glendale. We would hold up signs, posters, and banners. We passed out fliers to oncoming traffic.
Twenty seven fellow protesters and I chained ourselves together and put tape over our mouths to
symbolize our hunger, our deep hunger for change, and yes, for food. We slept outside on wet grass
having sprinklers turn on us every night at 2:30 a.m. Every morning, we cleaned up in a restaurant,
and the smell and sight of the food tested me. But when I felt doubts arise, I would remember my
great-grandfather who barely survived the Armenian genocide. For months, he had little food or water
and had to go on a death march which few survived. If he could make it through those conditions, I
knew I could make it through this week. And I did.
“We have great crack.” Four short words that forever changed the way I viewed public speaking.
28. Through
What happened…quickly…yet clearly with weaving of story and personal analysis
Make sure we see your leadership, initiative, development, and initiative
Specific focus on the student
Great summarizing, details, and images at same time
Last year, I volunteered as a Confirmation leader at St. Raphael’s Church in South Los Angeles . St. Raphael’s is like a
home to me and I basically grew up in those old, moldy pews. Brian proved to be the biggest challenge I faced that year.
We had a long history together. We were in the same class at grade school until sixth grade when he was held back. I
hadn’t seen him since I graduated 8th grade and went to an all girls’ school, and now here we are sitting in class every
Sunday morning, me as a teacher and him as my favorite student. Throughout the year, dare after dare, he tried
everything he could to push my buttons. He sought out fights, cursed, and even called me a n****r but I didn’t give up. I
quietly disregarded his statements and moved on. I would not let Brian and his derogatory comments break me. His
dreadful behavior lasted until after our retreat.
As a child, I viewed my lack of understanding of the English language as temporary obstacle; as an adult, my mom’s
grasp of the English language was a limitation—impaired communication was knowing what you wanted to say but
being unable to articulate it. As my grasp of the English language grew to surpass my mom’s, I would often receive
phone calls from her at work in which she would ask me the meaning of an English word or ask me to translate a word
from Spanish to English so she could use it. My mom taught me not only to appreciate and take advantage of every
opportunity presented, but also to use my skills to help others. At the time a seemingly insignificant moment, when a
non-English-speaking man at Barnes and Noble wanted to put a book on hold but did not know how to tell the cashier, I
translated for him; it is because of my mom that I discovered the joy of helping others.
29. Beyond
Ending that evokes key characteristics
Conveys moral
If the friendships found in mixed cultures can be so strong, so influencing as to,
say, bring success in a most challenging class, or make memorable nights with a
best friend, why not overlook the differences in details and embrace them?
There is great power in bringing people together; I’d like to make it happen
and, from there, see it blossom into something powerful.
All five of us completed the 2011 Los Angeles Marathon on the rainiest and
coldest day we ever experienced. My greatest accomplishment was to help
students achieve the goals they thought impossible to complete. I learned that I
have the strength and character to accomplish and succeed, and that though the
road may not be easy, it is possible.
30. Take the Time With These Essays
Tip 8. Use active writing: avoid passive sentences and
incorporate power verbs. Show when possible; tell
when summarizing.
Tip 9. Have trusted inside and impartial outside
readers read your essays. Make sure you have no
spelling or grammatical errors.
31. Free Write
Looking at Makshya’s Letter to a Roommate:
Write down a list of at least five unique things that you’d
want a roommate to know about you
32. Edit Using Probing Questions
Does your essay start with a story that hooks us in from the first
paragraph?
If you start in the past, do you get to the present very quickly?
Colleges want to know about the recent you. Great essays can start
more recently and weave in past events.
Do you write only in the first person and not spend too much time
describing anyone or anything else? Use my one-third-two-third
rule. You may not spend more than 1/3 of the essay describing
anything other than your own activities and goals.
If you are writing about your community or family, do you get to the
present and your life and life works quickly? Can this description
only connect to you and your story of who are you and how you are
making a difference?
Do you only tell one story and not try to tell your entire life story?
33. More Questions
If you are writing about an obstacle or challenge overcome, do you get to how you
have responded and made a difference in the life of your community by the second
or third paragraph of the essay? Admissions officers want to know who are you and
how you make an impact drawing upon your obstacles or challenges.
Do you have a metaphor that goes through the entire piece…does this metaphor
reveal who you are and what you offer to potential colleges? You can embed this
metaphor throughout out your piece.
Can I close my eyes and picture your story? Does it make you sound unique and not
like anyone else applying? Can I see your leadership and initiative and the power of
what you will offer a college campus?
Do you tell new stories and qualities in each separate essay your write? Do you
make sure to reveal powerful information and core messages that colleges will need
to know to admit you and give you money to attend?
Endings-Do you end with a bang? Do you make it clear by the end you have goals
and aspirations that drive you. Your endings must be specific for some prompts like
the University of California and University of Texas, but can be more oblique and
implied in Common Application and many supplementary essays. Do you end
leaving the reader with the desire to get to know you more, to see you on his or her
campus, and to share your essay with someone else?
34. Brainstorming and Drafting Time
Take the next 15-30 minutes to
a. to work on the beginning of a long essay
b. list 3 new out of the box essay topics
c. meet briefly with Dr. J
d. create a dropbox and share it with Dr. J at
rjoseph@calstatela.edu
35. Final Thoughts
Tip 10. Most importantly, make yourself come alive
throughout this process. Write about yourself as
passionately and powerfully as possible. Be proud of your
life and accomplishments. Sell yourself!!!
Students often need weeks not days to write effective essays. You need to push
beyond stereotypes.
You must ultimately submit what pleases you.
Essays cannot be manufactured. They convey truth, unique stories, and writing
skills.
Admissions officers can smell “enhanced” essays.
Students have two to five minutes to grab the attention of a essay reader.
You can find many great websites and examples but each student is different.
Admissions officers often say essays make or break an ultimate decision for
students applying to “match colleges.”
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37. You Can Make Your College Dreams Come True
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