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Writing College Admissions Essays

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Writing College Admissions Essays
Writing College Admissions
Essays/
UC Personal Statements
Information, Strategies, & Tips

Workshop Topics
• Understanding the Role of the College Admission
Essay
• Examples of Essay Questions
• UC Personal Statement
• Preparation Before You Write the Essay
• Tips
• Mechanics of Writing the Essay
• Helpful Websites

Role of the Admission Essay
• As a transfer student, the essay is an important part of your admission application for the University of California and most private and out-of-state universities.
• The essay is not read in isolation but with all the information you provide in your application.
• It's your one chance to explain to college admissions readers why you are a good fit for their school.
• This is where you become more than just another name — it's where you become an individual, and where you can share your personality, your goals, your experiences, and where you can explain any opportunities or obstacles that have affected your academic record.

Role of the Admission Essay
• Is an opportunity to provide information that gives readers a context for your accomplishments.
• Offers you a chance to contribute your voice to the admission process.
• The readers are looking for insight into you as a person. • As a writer; the reader will also evaluate your writing style, language usage, organization, and content.

Role of the Admission Essay

• Allows you to add information that you couldn't work into the other parts of the application. • Adds clarity, depth, and meaning to information collected in other parts of your college application.
• Enables you to make the best possible case for admission.

USC - Examples of Essay Questions
• Students must complete the Essay, Short Answers, and Quick Takes.
• Essay Question - Please write an essay of approximately 500–700 words (typically about two double-spaced pages) on one of following topics: – The 18th-century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, “Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul
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