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College Essay Pointers

High school seniors have had plenty of practice sharpening their essay-writing skills, but that doesn't mean they are prepared for the first - and arguably most important - essay of their college careers. Although the college application essay relies on a similar set of guidelines as a traditional essay, there are additional items to consider:

• An Original Claim

  
  Like an essay, a college entrance essay requires a claim or argument. The primary difference is that this thesis pertains to the student's life and it cannot be supported with research from a library. Many admissions offices, weary of reading the same tired essay again and again, now post tips for applicants. Their suggestions are nearly unanimous: Don't simply reformat what you have already listed on your application. Think of this essay as another chance to showcase your personality beyond your activities, grades or test scores.
  
  

• A Well-Organized Structure

  
  With the thesis decided, the mission becomes sticking to it. The goal is to be convincing. While the essay should be descriptive, personal and somewhat more conversational than a typical essay, it should still maintain a structure - one that provides several examples to back up the argument.
  
  

• Coherence and Clarity

  
  A personal essay is a tempting place to be fascinating - and long-winded. But this essay is not just about personal experience; it's an indicator of how well the applicant can write. The essay should be concise and consistent by closely adhering to the chosen argument while supporting it with as few well-chosen words as possible. A winning story and a clear voice speak for themselves.
  
  

• Precision

  
  As with any essay, the impression comes down to one misspelled word. The "rules" may be lower for this type of writing, but good grammar remains as important as ever. Several readings should uncover errors such as passive voice, spelling mistakes and misplaced modifiers.
  
  

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