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The College Application EssayYour opportunity to reveal the person behind the application facts and figures.

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How important are the essays in the selection process?

Very important for private colleges and universities. Very important for highly selective schools Important for the UC and other public universities Exception – CSU’s (California State Universities do not

include essays as part of their application they are strictly number schools – GPA and Test Scores)

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What are admission staff looking for in your Essay?

The human behind the roster of activities and grades – what are your values, interests, motivations, passions.

Students who will be a good fit for their institution - suitable programs, contributions & diversity, special qualities, talents, and character.

Track record, focus, depth of commitment.

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What are admission staff looking for in your Essay?

Writing ability– Organization, development, and support – effective

evidence– Style, diction and syntax– Writing conventions – correct grammar, punctuation,

spelling…

Instructions

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice.

What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores?

Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response.

Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. In addition, the application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.

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The Common Application:Essay Topics

1. 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.

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

3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

The Common Application: Essay Topic 2

Essay 2 – this is a much shorter essay.

Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (150 words).

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University of California

Two different prompts must be addressed No letters of recommendation Courses and Grades are self reported Minimum GPA 3.0 just to be eligible to apply Holistic review – UC’s spend time evaluating your

academic achievements in light of the opportunities available to you and your demonstrated capacity to contribute to the intellectual life at UC.

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The 14 factors they weigh are:

Academic grade point average in all completed "a-g" courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.

Scores on the following tests: ACT Plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test.

Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirements.

Number of and performance in UC-approved honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level and transferable college courses.

Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC).

Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.

Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school.

Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any

academic field of study.

Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.

Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.

Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.

Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.

Location of your secondary school and residence.

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The UC Essay Prompts

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

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Adds clarity, depth and meaning to information collected in other parts of the application

Completes and complements the application for admission

An admission decision will never be based on the content of a personal statement alone

Purpose of the Personal Statement

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Essay Timeline

Write an essay with Mr. Murray in English IV Summer – explore all topics, research, develop 2 – 4 ideas Begin drafts no later than 4 – 6 weeks prior to the deadlines Meet with Ms. Masten for feedback (content) & English teacher for

editing & structureDeadlines: Private Early Action(EA), Restricted Early Action (REA), Early

Decision(ED) – Nov 1 - 15 UC application period is Nov. 1- Nov 30 Private – regular admission varies Dec. 15, Jan 1, Feb 15

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How Do I Find a Good Topic?

THINK – What do I want the admissions committee to know about me that is not already in my application? What significant experiences have I had? What events or people have shaped me? How am I unique? What interests me?

BRAINSTORM – with family, friends, and counselor for topic ideas

READ – sample essays online and in published collections for ideas

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What will the admissions staff be looking for:

– What’s important to this applicant?

– What qualities/characteristics define this applicant?

– Which of these qualities/characteristics is most prominent?

– Do these qualities appeal to me and my institute’s mission?

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Topics to avoid:

Tired overused topics - “my amazing summer vacation or mission trip”

Rehashing your resume Stories of early childhood – more interested in present

YOU Your worst misdeeds Comedy routines Boyfriends or girlfriends A “woe is me tale”

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Not Your Classroom Essay….

Creative Freedom The personal statement essay is not your typical classroom, academic

essay with thesis statement and supportive paragraphs beginning with topic sentences. You have much more creative freedom with your college essay.

Slice of Life This essay is, in essence, a “story” about a slice of your life that reveals

important aspects of your character.– What makes you tick? – Are you adventurous, political, an entrepreneur, artistic? – What events in your life have shaped you?

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Not Your Classroom Essay Continued…

SHOW Don’t TellShow by examples, incidents, and descriptive storieshow you are creative, political, artistic, etc.

Make it Personal

The UC website’s advice is to “be open. Be reflective. Find your individual voice and express it honestly” - in part, this means using your own vocabulary (but not slang) and your own ideas.

Make it personal!

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Show your STYLE

Use vivid verbs rather than depending on adjectives to make descriptions come alive

Use your own “voice” Edit the extraneous – I can help you with this!!! Grab the reader’s attention early - with your first

sentence if possible Show don’t tell – use a “slice of your life” story that

illustrates a value, lesson learned, passion etc. Be specific. Be dynamic

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Opening Sentences

I change my name each time I place an order at Starbucks. Some fathers might disapprove of their children handling

noxious chemicals in the garage. I stand on the riverbank surveying this rippled range like

some riparian cowboy—instead of chaps, I wear vinyl, thigh-high waders and a lasso of measuring tape and twine is slung over my arm.

Cancer tried to defeat me, and it failed. Sitting cross-legged on the floor of a Bhimanagar slum

dwelling in Bangalore, I ran my fingers across a fresh cut on my forehead.

As an Indian-American, I am forever bound to the hyphen.

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Wrap it Up

Write Revise -Proofread for grammar and spelling Edit extraneous, awkward wording, boring verbs First review - visit counselor to read over essay with you as the first

review Revise again and don’t forget to meet with me one more time for

further feedback Proofread, proofread, proofread - for grammar and spelling. Final draft - Have a teacher proofread before you submit.

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A Final Message From Admissions Staff:

While it is acceptable to receive feedback or helpful suggestions, applicants’ personal statements should reflect applicants own ideas and be written by them alone.

I want to help so PLEASE:

1. Send me the final copy of your English IV college essay.2. Make sure to see me (as often as needed) in the fall when you are working on the rest of your essays and all your applications.

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Advice from Seniors:

Questions?

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