The essay section of a college or scholarship application can be the most intimidating and time consuming part of the process. However, a little preparation can go a long way. The easiest way to prepare is to save all writing assignments from high school, regardless of the topic.
Three reasons to save all of your essays:
- An old essay can be reused with minor tweaks.This can save time and make this section of the application much less stressful.
- Look through your essays for ideas or inspiration that might work for the application question. Sometimes the hardest part of writing is just getting started.
- Review writing assignments that have been graded and corrected by a teacher to refresh your memory on correct form.
The purpose of the writing portion of any application is for the review committee to better understand who you are, but more importantly, it offers you a chance to convince them that you are the best applicant.
Highlight characteristics or experiences that make you a perfect match for the college or scholarship. But remember, they also need to see that you can follow instructions, express yourself and apply basic writing rules.
There is an abundance of information out there on how to prepare for or write the perfect essay. Utilize these resources during the writing process, or find sample essay questions for practice. Remember, you can always save these for future use.
Every Month:
Reflect on recently completed school writing assignments. Always save a digital copy. It is easier to rewrite content than to start from scratch.
All of your high school writing assignments should be considered possible material for future essays. It’s even more important to keep copies of essays already you submit with applications. Many times, applications have similar (or even identical) essay questions.
Quick Tips:
- Save all writing assignments for future essay content.
- Keep in mind the importance of reflection.
Grab the End of Year Reflection Exercise:
Do you have other tips or tricks for making the essay section a little easier? Or do you have questions about essays and personal statements? Let us know in the comments below!
