A ONE Institute
Dec 23, 2023
Including Important Tips
Today, I'll discuss the process of writing a Common App Essay. This post not only covers the Main Essay for Common App but also offers valuable insights that can assist with school-specific essays. I recommend referencing this information to receive guidance.
Writing an essay can be more challenging than expected, often leading many to seek consulting help due to vague apprehensions. Unfortunately, some consulting services demand hefty fees for minimal input without a clear educational philosophy. At A-One Institute, we aim to assist parents and students through various channels. If you prepare meticulously based on the information we provide, you'll do well. So, don't worry excessively, and make good use of the tips I'll share today.
The Common App Essay, also known as the Main Essay, requires specific preparation methods. Regardless of the various prompts and topics available for essays, they all converge on one question: "Who am I?" Before writing the essay, it's essential to deeply contemplate your identity. When writing an essay about who you are, there are generally two main approaches:
Inductive Reasoning: Leading to who you are based on specific incidents or anecdotes.
Deductive Reasoning: Starting with a definitive idea of who you are and then recounting incidents that reinforce that identity.
Since the way students naturally narrate their stories varies, there's no definitive "right" or "wrong" method. Typically, when crafting an essay:
Describe an event or accomplishment.
Reflect on how that event made you contemplate your identity.
Discuss how it impacted your future.
However, given that students of around 20 years of age often share similar life experiences and tend to project positive future impacts, the critical aspect here is articulating your identity within the reflection on your identity (Cognition Attribution).
While reflecting on who you are, talk about how you perceive yourself and where the reasons for such perception lie. This is where your uniqueness (creativity) and individuality should shine. An essential tip I'd like to share here is to write one sentence stating "Who I am" before looking at other successful essays.
There are numerous Main Essay examples available online, but refrain from reading them first! If you read these essays without contemplating who you are, your thoughts might get anchored to those examples. Instead of expressing your individuality, you might end up mirroring the essays of successful applicants, hindering your unique identity from emerging in your own essay.
When writing, remember the M.S.E. principle:
Motif (Theme): Introduce the theme.
Specification: Elaborate on the theme.
Example: Provide an example related to the theme.
Maintaining this structure empowers the theme of your essay. Moreover, instead of merely basing experiences on facts, another tip is to narrate student experiences with a slight embellishment to make the storytelling more captivating. While events and their impacts might be somewhat fixed, the process of self-reflection (Cognition Attribution) allows for showcasing creativity and individuality.
Regarding recent modifications in the Common App as of 2021-22:
1 .Who am I fundamentally? Stories about my background/interests.
2. A failed experience and the lessons learned or how it shapes my future.
3. An event that intrigued me or piqued my curiosity.
From here, there are slight alterations. Notably, a new addition is:
4. Joy or gratitude received from others. (The addition of a topic highlighting positive aspects allows for a brighter tone in the essay. It might be beneficial to utilize this.)
5. An event that reshaped me or helped me understand others.
6. Narration about an interest that deeply engages me.
7. Free topic.
Often, there's a common belief among peers or consulting firms to avoid using topics 6 and 7, claiming they demand excessive creativity compared to other topics. However, our standpoint is that there's no topic to be avoided in an essay! If a student finds a compelling event or story that sticks out among the prompts and they wish to share it, it will undoubtedly make for a compelling essay. Choosing a specific topic doesn't necessarily increase the chances of acceptance, so I urge you not to confine your thoughts.
If I had to emphasize the most critical aspect while writing an essay, it would be "COHERENCE."
Remember, you're not submitting an essay alone in your college application; it's a part of the entire application. Therefore, coherence throughout your application is crucial. For instance, if your application predominantly shows love for group activities but your essay reflects solitude, it might create confusion. Align your essay's coherence with the other elements of the Common App.
Impressive introductions that have been overly exposed might no longer be unique. In the limited time universities spend reviewing applications, a compelling introduction is crucial. Consequently, many essays started using quotes, dialogues, or famous sayings. Creativity that's been excessively exposed might not be unique anymore! Due to the obsession with impressive introductions, uniqueness in writing is fading. A simple, natural introduction that evokes curiosity in the reader is adequate. Please don't get too caught up in overpowering introductions.
Consider the conclusion while writing the essay. A common mistake students make is omitting a conclusion in their essays. Often, due to word count restrictions, they hastily conclude with a single line. It's crucial to think about your conclusion beforehand and write your essay accordingly.
Heartfelt writing resonates deeply. Sincere writing takes time and effort. To achieve authenticity, continuously contemplate the event or story about yourself, and about who you are as a person. Discuss your strengths and weaknesses in writing and talk about them with family or close friends. Engage in a process while writing your essay.
Wishing you all success in your admission journey.