How to Write a Compelling Essay for The University

Essay

Essay

Even if your grades are not good enough, you can still go to Harvard, and not the best GMAT scores can bring you to Stanford. This occurs frequently. It all comes down to a well-written essay that demonstrates your ambition and talent. In this article, the experts from the “Do my homework for me” service will tell you how to write a great essay for university admission.

The essay is the most memorable aspect of all admissions paperwork, according to the Ivy League admissions staff. It shows the applicant as a whole person. Many people have the same grades and scores on their exams, but it’s the essay that will help you stand out from that crowd. It demonstrates how to present oneself in writing, analyze information, convey your opinions, and connect with others.

A motivation letter or a personal statement aren’t the same things like an essay. They are almost always required, usually one document to choose from. However, top universities like Harvard or Yale ask for a creative essay as well. That’s how the admissions committee determines whether you’re creative and if you’re a good fit for the university.

The word limit is a significant distinction between essays. Each university sets its own acceptable essay size. Sometimes you only have 150 words – one paragraph – to express yourself. This means that all answers must be clear and relevant, but not “dry” and not one-liners.

What to Write About In An Essay?

In the admissions section of their websites, universities provide essay topics. The questions depend on whether you are applying directly to the school or through the Common Application and Coalition Application platforms. In addition to the essay, top universities require a short answer to a few supplement questions. Their list is also placed on the universities’ website. This is no longer an essay, but a question-and-answer format.

Be prepared to write one large essay of 200-300 words and answer 3-10 questions in writing.

11 Tips to Write A Successful Essay For The University

Write A Successful Essay

Write A Successful Essay

The first thing to do is to look through the list of essay topics offered by the university. Read them and listen to how you feel. Which question caught your attention? On which topic do you already have thoughts? If nothing comes to mind right away, give your thoughts time: don’t rush, but think about the questions for a couple of days.

Don’t wait until the last minute to finish your essay. The list of topics is provided ahead of time, so begin working on your essay at least a few months before the application date.

It’s not uncommon for everyone to write about the same topic. Your task is to stand out. Your essay should not be about the typical topics of “travel”, “family”, or “sports”. Below we have collected tips and recommendations to help you write a memorable essay.

  1. Do not repeat the question in the answer.
  2. Don’t use long, complicated words. You’ll come out as arrogant at best, and ignorant at worst.
  3. Be honest. An answer that shows you for who you are will please the commission far more than an appropriate or politically correct one. However, if your hobbies are going to parties and playing beer pong, it’s better not to be completely frank.
  4. Be yourself. Don’t think about what the admissions staff would like to see. Choose topics that you can speak about and that are important to you. Express your ideas and experience.
  5. Describe your personal growth. When you write about a life event or hobby, describe what you learned from it. This way you will show the admissions committee that you are capable of change and have adequate self-esteem.
  6. Supplement your existing resume. Write about things that weren’t mentioned in your motivation letter or portfolio to show different sides of your personality.
  7. Describe the details to add color to the answer.
  8. Careful with the humor: it’s rare that anyone manages to make a joke to the point.
  9. Don’t use the same answers for different universities. This is easier, but the individual approach to each university is evaluated more favorably by the admissions committee.
  10. Don’t worry about the word limit. Write your answer the way you want it, and then just cross out what is unnecessary.
  11. Make sure there are no mistakes or typos in the essay. To do this, read it from the end. So you’re not concentrating on the meaning of the text, and your focus is only on the words. Check them in the dictionary if you have doubts about spelling.

When the essay is ready, read it several times, preferably every other day, to evaluate it with a fresh look. Make sure that it reveals you as a person, that the topic is really important to you, that you were able to show your interest in it and find an original approach.

What You Can’t Write About In An Essay

Essay

Essay

  • Don’t try to be someone else. You won’t be able to deceive an admissions committee that has read hundreds of essays. They’ll notice right away that your life description differs from the rest of your documents.
  • Don’t take complicated essay topics. Harvard receives a lot of letters from students claiming to comprehend complex topics when they don’t.
  • Don’t use common clichés: they show that you cannot express ideas on your own.
  • Don’t use too many quotes. They convey the idea that you don’t have a point of view of your own.

To understand how not to write, look at a creative essay where an applicant describes a difficult situation they encountered. In the end, you’ll find expert comments and some tips on how you can improve this essay.

Bear in mind that a good essay should convey your individuality, demonstrate your potential to grow, and demonstrate your ability to judge yourself properly. Regardless of the topic, you need to keep in mind your readers (the admissions committee in the university of your dreams) and your goal of proving to the university that you have an active attitude and that you see any event as an opportunity for growth.