How to begin a college app essay

How to Write a Great College Application Essay

Although the first few miles of the hike up Mt. Madison did not offer fantastic views, the vistas became spectacular once I climbed above tree line.

Immediately, I sensed that understanding the natural world parallels climbing a mountain. To reach my goal of total comprehension of natural phenomena, I realized that I must begin with knowledge that may be uninteresting by itself.

However, this knowledge will form the foundation of an accurate view of the universe. Much like every step while hiking leads the hiker nearer the mountain peak, all knowledge leads the scientist nearer total understanding.

Above tree line, the barrenness and silence of the hike taught me that individuals must have their own direction. All hikers know that they must carry complete maps to reach their destinations; they do not allow others to hold their maps for them.

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

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Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?

Would you make the same decision again? Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. Through carefully chosen detail, your writing should reveal your passions and expose your personality.

A thoughtful and detailed narration of a difficult time in your life tells far more about you than a list of competitions won and honors achieved. Add a Touch of Humor While it's important to be thoughtful and mature, you don't want your college application essay to be too heavy.

Try to lighten up the essay with a clever metaphor, a well-placed witticism, or a little self-deprecating humor.

But don't overdo it. The essay that is filled with bad puns or off-color jokes will often end up in the rejection pile. Also, humor isn't a substitute for substance.

Your primary task is to answer the essay prompt thoughtfully; the smile you bring to your reader's lips is just a bonus and a tear can sometimes be effective too. Many students have been rejected for failing to take the prompt seriously and writing essays that end up being more foolish than clever.

Focus on Tone Not just humor, but the overall tone of your application essay is remarkably important.