how to write a college essay

Summary

In this video, Gohar, an MIT senior, shares valuable insights on crafting a memorable college essay. She emphasizes the importance of 'showing, not telling' to engage readers, using vivid imagery and storytelling. Gohar advises running a 'pick-up test' to ensure the essay's uniqueness and authenticity, avoiding generic statements and maintaining a genuine voice. She also recommends avoiding cliché topics and common grammar mistakes, suggesting a review by a trusted individual. Her personal essay on volcanoes exemplifies how even unconventional topics can succeed with compelling writing.

Takeaways

• 📝 Show, don't tell: Engage the reader by painting a vivid picture rather than just stating facts.
• 🧩 Personalize your essay: Include specific details that make your essay unique and identifiable as yours.
• 🚫 Avoid generic statements: Refrain from using grandiose truisms that weaken your writing and come across as trying too hard.
• 🎙️ Use your real voice: Write in a conversational tone that reflects your natural speaking style, avoiding fancy words and complex sentences.
• 📚 Be original: Steer clear of cliché topics and strive for a unique narrative that stands out.
• 🌋 Embrace unique topics: Even unconventional subjects can work if you can craft a compelling story around them.
• ✍️ Proofread for grammar: Watch out for common grammar mistakes, especially dangling modifiers.
• 👀 Get feedback: Have someone review your essay to ensure it sounds like you and is free of errors.
• 🔗 Utilize resources: Consider using services like NextAdmit.com for professional essay reviews by students from top universities.
• 💡 Creativity encouraged: Feel free to be creative with essay structure and style, as it's not a typical five-paragraph English essay.
• 👍 Make an impact: The goal is to provide admissions officers with a glimpse of who you are, ensuring your essay leaves a lasting impression.

Q & A

What was the speaker's experience with writing their college essay?

The speaker, Gohar, an MIT senior, described the process as stressful, staying up late on numerous nights to perfect their essay and only feeling proud of their work towards the end of the admission season.

What is the first piece of advice given by the speaker for writing a college essay?

The first piece of advice is to show and not tell. This means engaging the reader by painting a picture and telling a story rather than just stating facts.

Why is it important to avoid generic details in a college essay?

Generic details can cause an essay to blend in with others, making it less memorable for admissions officers. Specific details help make the essay personal and unique to the applicant.

What is the 'pickup test' mentioned in the script?

The 'pickup test' is a method to ensure the essay is personal and unique. It involves imagining if a friend could pick up the essay from a pile and recognize it as the writer's own based on the specific details included.

Why should college essays avoid grandiose truisms?

Grandiose truisms, such as 'live life to the fullest,' can weaken the writing if overused. They may come across as trying too hard to impress the reader rather than conveying genuine thoughts.

What is the significance of using one's real voice in a college essay?

Using one's real voice allows the admissions officers to get a glimpse of the applicant's personality. It makes the essay conversational and authentic, as if the applicant is speaking directly to the reader.

What are some common grammar mistakes to watch out for in college essays?

The script mentions dangling modifiers as a common grammar mistake. It suggests having someone review the essay to ensure it sounds like the writer and to catch any grammatical errors.

Why did the speaker choose to write about volcanoes for their college essay?

The speaker chose the topic of volcanoes because they believed any topic could make for a good essay if written well. They connected it to their AP Environmental Science class to create a compelling narrative.

What is the speaker's opinion on cliché topics in college essays?

The speaker advises to avoid cliché topics like sports injuries, death, and divorce, as they often result in similar statements across many essays, making it difficult for any single essay to stand out.

How can a unique or unusual topic be effective in a college essay?

A unique or unusual topic can be effective if it is connected to the applicant's personality and experiences, creating a narrative that showcases their interests and passions.

What resource does the speaker recommend for essay reviews?

The speaker recommends NextAdmit.com, where they have reviewed over 1,000 essays, for students seeking reviews from Harvard or MIT students.