Apparently, it’s SENIOR YEAR! And guess what time it is? College Application Season!
It’s that season where students are broken down to a point of insanity, treatable forms of mild depression, and pure exhaustion just from filling up FAFSA, scholarship applications, and especially creating the intimidating college application essay!
Everyone is different and unique and has their own personality to show through their essay. Everyone does go through some sort of writer’s block which is either due to procrastination, lack of motivation, lack of inspiration or just plain lethargy (laziness). Some people trick themselves into believing that they they have no piece, no material, no muse for their essay. Some may say their essay “sucks” as I quote several past college applicants. Many even made it a point that they have no material to work with because their life is just plain, boring, and too normal. Most teens think that to get into their college of choice, they need to talk about a sob story, a national achievement, or perk up their essay by using superfluous(unnecessary), elegant, top-notch SAT vocabulary to impress the admissions officers. But the fact of the matter is, these college application essays are not all about these so-called “requirements.”
For the people who have their topic already, good job! You guys are on the right path! But for the many lagging behind, here are a few suggestions:
For the procrastinators, keep in mind that college is drawing near and you don’t want to be waiting up to the last minute doing a low-rate essay and sending it in the next day. Remember that your essay is your voice, this essay could be your ticket to your dream college. So procrastinators, show initiative! Show motivation. Have inspiration!
For the vocabulary inclined and high formal diction writers, guys, circumscribe around the formal words. With the use of very formal language, most of these authors tend to lose their voice in their essay, remember to be yourself and try not to over exaggerate and fill up your essay with “SAT vocabulary.”
Finally, for the material lacking, inspiration seeking, writer’s block bound average John and Jane Does. Do not fear, ‘cause inspiration is here! That sounds corny right? Well you see, according to CollgeBoard’s The College Application Essay, admissions officers actually like and prefer dorky humor! It tends to add a new dimension to the essay, it brings out the character of a person, it normally tends to show a new side of the applicant. If you seem to see yourself lacking dimension, and uniqueness, the truth is you aren’t. If you think your life is completely normal and lack diversity and adversity, you can always look and use the resources around you. Your topics are illimitable, there are no wrong answers, what matters is how it comes across to the readers. If don’t you have any idea what to talk about, you can consider explaining an object’s sentimental value, the neighborhood you live in, your school’s atmosphere, volunteer work, or even your views on life. As far as these topics may seem from one another, what they all have in common is how you reveal your character through these choices. Just never forget to implement your theme and message into your work because if none of these are present in your essay, it will be a big turn off to the Admissions Officers.
So for the topic-less authors, consider a few of these ideas:
• You can use a metaphor and compare yourself with an object.
• You can explain the sentimental value of an object.
• You can reminisce about a childhood memory and differentiate between the past and present.
• You can talk about random objects, games, sports, and activities.
• You can explain your passion.
• You can elaborate on your cultural differences.
• You can get into politics if you are up for the challenge.
• You can talk about the Arts if you are Artistically inclined.
• You can detail your past services for the community.
You get the idea right? So don’t worry! Heck, if a student who wrote about olives can get accepted to college (The Princeton Review, College Essays that Made a Difference, Random House Inc., 2008) then any topic you choose can get you in, just remember to show WHO YOU ARE and reveal your QUALITIES as a person through your piece. Good Luck to all you applicants!
