Essay Writing Workshop | Career Readiness Hub

The college essay is a vital component of the admissions process, used by selective universities to differentiate students with similar grades and extracurricular activities. Unlike standard academic reports, these essays provide a deeper understanding of your identity, goals, and personal fit for a specific campus community.

1. Preparation and Brainstorming

The most effective essays begin long before you start writing. Experts recommend starting the process in the summer before your senior year to allow ample time for multiple drafts.

Identifying Your Core: Use exercises like the "Essence Objects" task to find items that represent your fundamental qualities. For example, a well-worn basketball might represent a deep connection with a family member or years of dedication.
Value Mapping: Determine which of your top values—such as curiosity, social change, or autonomy—you want to showcase to the admissions committee.
Targeted Research: For school-specific essays, go beyond the website's front page. Look for specific course syllabi, professors, and clubs that align with your interests to prove you have done your homework.

2. Structuring Your Narrative

There are two primary ways to structure your essay depending on the story you want to tell:

The Narrative Approach: Ideal for essays about overcoming challenges. Identify a problem, raise the stakes, describe your solution, and share lessons learned.
The Montage Approach: Works best when you are not writing about a specific challenge. Build a "montage" of experiences linked by uncommon connections.

3. Mastering the Tone: Show vs. Tell

Instead of saying you are compassionate, describe a moment volunteering at a shelter. While reflection essays can be casual, formal assignments require an academic tone:

Avoid conversational phrases like "kind of" or "literally".
Eliminate public speaking language like "Let me explain".
Use precise wording instead of vague value judgments.

4. Editing and Final Polish

The Reverse Outline: List your thesis and paragraph arguments to check logic and support.
Clarity Tweaks: Start sentences with subject and verb to avoid passive voice. Keep sentences under three lines.
The Content Checklist: Ensure you answer the prompt and include a clear introduction with thesis.

5. Ethical Considerations and AI

Some institutions, like Caltech, have strict ethical guidelines. Unethical AI uses include drafting or translating essays, but it is ethical to review grammar, spelling, or brainstorm ideas.

Analogy: Editing a college essay is like assembling a flat-pack bookshelf. Tighten gradually to ensure a strong final product.

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