The Best Way to Start & End a College Essay! | Tips for Common App and Supplementals

Summary

In this video, Kevin Zen, co-founder of Elevated School, shares valuable tips on improving college essays, focusing on the importance of strong hooks and conclusions. He explains how hooks should grab attention, with conflict being a key element. Kevin provides examples and advice on how to raise stakes and add originality to hooks. He also emphasizes the need for a compelling conclusion that addresses the 'so what' and 'what can I contribute to campus' questions. By avoiding clichés and offering meaningful reflections, students can improve their chances of standing out in college applications.

Takeaways

• 😀 Strong hooks and effective conclusions are crucial in college essays and are often the weakest aspects.
• 😀 A poorly crafted hook or conclusion can severely impact your chances of college admission.
• 😀 Conflict is an effective tool for creating engaging hooks, especially when it involves high stakes or original scenarios.
• 😀 Using sensory details in hooks can help readers visualize and engage with the story more deeply.
• 😀 There are three types of conflict to consider in essays: character vs. self, character vs. character, and character vs. environment.
• 😀 Beginning an essay with a question can draw the reader in and create intrigue.
• 😀 A good hook either presents a question or offers a mystery that will be answered later in the essay.
• 😀 College admission officers typically spend very little time on each application, so capturing their attention early is vital.
• 😀 In your conclusion, avoid repeating what's already been said; instead, reflect on what you can contribute to campus.
• 😀 The 'so what?' question in your conclusion should address how your experiences reflect your values and what you'll bring to the college community.

Q & A

Why are weak hooks and poor conclusions significant problems in college essays?

Weak hooks and poor conclusions are significant because they can drastically hurt the chances of getting admitted to a college. These two issues often result in essays that fail to capture the attention of college admission officers, who spend only a limited amount of time reviewing each application.

How much time do college admission officers spend on each application?

College admission officers spend no more than 15 minutes on an entire application, which translates to just five or six minutes reviewing all the essays.

What is a good strategy for writing an effective hook for a college essay?

A good strategy is to begin with conflict. Conflict naturally grabs attention because it introduces tension, stakes, and an engaging scenario. This could be a personal challenge or an unusual situation that the writer faced.

Why is conflict an effective hook in a college essay?

Conflict is effective because it presents an immediate problem or challenge that piques the reader's curiosity. It also helps set the tone for the rest of the essay and can quickly immerse the reader in the story.

What are some types of conflict that can be used in college essay hooks?

There are three main types of conflict that can be used: character versus self (internal struggles), character versus character (interpersonal or social conflict), and character versus environment (physical, social, or economic challenges).

What is the importance of posing a question at the beginning of a college essay?

Posing a question at the beginning creates mystery and engages the reader's curiosity. It encourages them to read further to find the answer, which can be a very effective way to hook the reader.

Can you give examples of questions used as hooks in college essays?

Examples of questions used as hooks include: 'The best teacher I ever had couldn't even speak,' 'Want to know the secret to perfect fried rice?' and 'My pet turtle is the reason I flunked my AP Physics Exam.' These questions generate curiosity and lead the reader to want to know more.

What is a common issue with conclusions in college essays?

A common issue with conclusions is that they tend to be clichéd or simply repeat points made earlier in the essay. This results in a weak ending that doesn't provide a sense of closure or depth.

How can you improve the conclusion of a college essay?

To improve the conclusion, focus on answering two key questions: 'So what?' and 'What can I contribute to campus?' This allows the writer to reflect on their essay's theme and show how they will contribute to the college community.

Why is the concept of contribution to campus important in college essays?

The concept of contribution to campus is important because it demonstrates that the applicant has thought about their role in the college community. It shows the college how the applicant will bring value, whether through tangible skills or personal qualities like curiosity or creativity.