| The personal college essay is often | | | | actively participating in community outreach |
| difficult. What can you say about yourself | | | | or fundraising organizations and efforts? By |
| that will take up 500 or 1,000 words? Does | | | | keeping focus on events rather than |
| the idea of such writing make you anxious? | | | | characteristics, you are giving the |
| Fear not, the personal essay process may not | | | | admissions personnel key insights into you, |
| be as arduous as you think! | | | | as a person. You can always interview others |
| | | | for ideas on what your strengths are. It's |
| An admissions advisor or committee will pay | | | | also good during this phase to outline these |
| careful attention to your personal essay. | | | | strengths and offer some accomplishments. |
| This will give them a good idea of you as a | | | | |
| person. It will indicate what your | | | | When you've finished the pre-write, you can |
| personality is like, what your goals are, and | | | | start organizing your material. Do you notice |
| any interests you currently have. | | | | any patterns or connecting subjects through |
| | | | the piece? |
| You should check on the essay requirements | | | | |
| even before you plan to write. Some schools | | | | The second stage is drafting. This is where |
| may require 500 words while others may want a | | | | you hone and refine your work. You take all |
| different length. Some facilities may want a | | | | the "pieces," from your prewriting and |
| double-spaced essay with 1-inch margins while | | | | reformat your essay. It works just like a |
| others may not be as concerned with detail. | | | | puzzle. You move your sentences and |
| | | | paragraphs around to find more suitable and |
| When you've found what is required, it's time | | | | logical placement. |
| to start writing. Don't feel pressured as | | | | |
| most essays, like all other forms of writing, | | | | After the process of drafting, you will have |
| will be completed in drafts. This allows you | | | | written the essay. It should be solid, |
| the optimum flexibility and opportunity to | | | | straightforward, and should have a sense of |
| change any detail or sentence you don't like. | | | | "flow." Your paragraphs should be organized |
| | | | and shouldn't "jump," to other sections of |
| The best method of authoring your essay will | | | | the essay without reason. |
| be on a computer. This invention has done | | | | |
| more to help with writing, general or | | | | Lastly, you will edit your essay. This is |
| professional, than any other. Be sure your | | | | where you will need to watch your grammar and |
| computer has some form of Word Processing | | | | structure. Every sentence is a support for |
| software. This may be Microsoft's Word or | | | | the paragraph. Every paragraph should support |
| Works; it might be the Sun publishing suite, | | | | your overall essay. |
| or any other. | | | | |
| | | | Avoid the general mistakes in grammar such as |
| The personal essay doesn't differ from other | | | | run-on sentences and attempting to combine |
| high school writing in that there are still | | | | passive and active voice in a single |
| three steps for the easiest result. First, | | | | sentence. Spelling is an imperative area to |
| pre-write. This is where you get your words | | | | watch. Many "spell check" functions will |
| flowing. You are free to skip, jump | | | | catch the wrong spelling, but not the wrong |
| paragraphs, and just write whatever you want. | | | | word. For example, "eye like two dense," is |
| You shouldn't be concerned with anything | | | | spelled correctly according to a word |
| during this phase of the essay process. | | | | processor, even though you might be |
| | | | attempting to say, "I like to dance." |
| The first stage is all about brainstorming | | | | |
| and experimenting. This is the best place to | | | | If you prepare yourself for the process and |
| really discover yourself and your life. What | | | | don't push, you can have the greatest essay |
| have been your greatest achievements? Have | | | | possible. All you need to do is to realize |
| you experienced disappointments or hardships | | | | the commitment involved, be ready for it, and |
| that made you a stronger person? | | | | give full attention to all details. You can |
| | | | complete your personal college essay without |
| Have you traveled extensively? Are you | | | | anxiety. |