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Basic Steps to Write a Successful Essay

Written by:
Jeffry Cain
Photography:
Freepik

Some things in life are more meaningful than others. One of these crucial moments is writing an admission essay for your dream college. Although it can be stressful, understanding the importance of this part of the application process encourages you to take a smarter approach. A successful essay is not just luck, but rather a recipe that you can follow. It requires careful preparation, a personal touch, and careful execution. Let's look at all the necessary ingredients for your best essay!

The importance of a good essay 

The importance of a good essay can be debated, with some arguing that it plays the biggest role in your chances of getting into college. However, academic officials do not confirm these claims and state that all aspects of the application contribute to the overall grade. Regardless of the reality, one thing is for sure: your essay can either move you up or down your position on the admissions list, assuming all other factors are equal. Are you planning on getting into an Ivy League college based solely on your impressive academic performance? In this case, your essay becomes the only opportunity to showcase your incredible personality. Now, the question arises: how can you write such an essay?

Authenticity is the best approach in the long run

Turn your life into a story worth telling and connect it to your reasons for applying to a specific college. 

Be honest and straightforward. Your essay should not appear overly polished or dramatic. On the other hand, there is no place for jokes and too intimate details. There is no benefit in confusing or embarrassing the admissions committee. The perfect balance of honest storytelling is sharing a great personal story with a vulnerability or two. If you're stuck or hesitant to share personal information with strangers, even for the prospect of a good education, you might want to consider seeking college essay help. Services like Essayhave.com™ partner with professional writers who have at least a master's degree. This will ensure that your essay will have the insight and quality that an experienced educated person would find necessary.

Avoid clichéd arguments

Aiming to obtain an education to make the world a better place, solve hunger and cancer problems, or help spread equality and democracy are noble goals, but they are also common motivations that every admission committee has encountered countless times. Generating original yet honest motivation may be challenging, but it is worth it for your benefit. Even if you cannot think of anything remarkably impressive, your real-life experiences are a treasure trove for a captivating narrative. To find a gem for your application essay, experiment with storytelling prompts. Here are a few ideas to inspire you: 

- Think about a difficult skill from your childhood that you have mastered over time.

- Describe how you usually help your friends or family.

- Discuss an injustice that you would like to correct if you had the opportunity.

- Imagine your superpower in the superhero universe.

While short paragraphs on such topics may not be suitable for a college application essay, they can serve as self-exploration exercises. They might provide you with ideas or important examples for your essay. However, if you are still feeling stuck or have no desire to search within your inner writer, consider using the help of an essay writing service. 

Begin with a plan

A common issue with any essay, especially one with a word limit, is writing either too much or too little. Both extremes are inappropriate for a college admission essay. Creating a clear plan will help you generate necessary and interesting ideas for your essay, conquering the fear of a blank page. Most colleges provide a topic for the year, but even for a general expression of motivation, you can define your subtopics. Choose two to four key arguments you would like to expand upon and draft several supporting reasoning and examples for each one. A mind map can be a useful tool for this exercise. Draw a bubble with the main topic in the center and have sub-topics or arguments branch out from it. Visualizing your ideas may enhance your creativity for inspired writing. Mind map software is also a helpful studying tool for college, aiding in the organization of course notes and exam preparation. 

Show your true self but in moderation

You are undoubtedly a remarkable person, a fact your parents and friends are aware of. You may even have testimonials in your application package attesting to this. However, how can you truly captivate attention and leave a positive impression? 


By Liliana Alvarez

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