| The personal college essay is often difficult. What | | | | organizations and efforts? By keeping focus on |
| can you say about yourself that will take up 500 | | | | events rather than characteristics, you are giving |
| or 1,000 words? Does the idea of such writing | | | | the admissions personnel key insights into you, as |
| make you anxious? Fear not, the personal essay | | | | a person. You can always interview others for |
| process may not be as arduous as you think! | | | | ideas on what your strengths are. It's also good |
| An admissions advisor or committee will pay | | | | during this phase to outline these strengths and |
| careful attention to your personal essay. This will | | | | offer some accomplishments. |
| give them a good idea of you as a person. It will | | | | When you've finished the pre-write, you can start |
| indicate what your personality is like, what your | | | | organizing your material. Do you notice any |
| goals are, and any interests you currently have. | | | | patterns or connecting subjects through the |
| You should check on the essay requirements | | | | piece? |
| even before you plan to write. Some schools | | | | The second stage is drafting. This is where you |
| may require 500 words while others may want a | | | | hone and refine your work. You take all the |
| different length. Some facilities may want a | | | | "pieces," from your prewriting and reformat your |
| double-spaced essay with 1-inch margins while | | | | essay. It works just like a puzzle. You move your |
| others may not be as concerned with detail. | | | | sentences and paragraphs around to find more |
| When you've found what is required, it's time to | | | | suitable and logical placement. |
| start writing. Don't feel pressured as most | | | | After the process of drafting, you will have |
| essays, like all other forms of writing, will be | | | | written the essay. It should be solid, |
| completed in drafts. This allows you the optimum | | | | straightforward, and should have a sense of |
| flexibility and opportunity to change any detail or | | | | "flow." Your paragraphs should be organized and |
| sentence you don't like. | | | | shouldn't "jump," to other sections of the essay |
| The best method of authoring your essay will be | | | | without reason. |
| on a computer. This invention has done more to | | | | Lastly, you will edit your essay. This is where you |
| help with writing, general or professional, than any | | | | will need to watch your grammar and structure. |
| other. Be sure your computer has some form of | | | | Every sentence is a support for the paragraph. |
| Word Processing software. This may be | | | | Every paragraph should support your overall |
| Microsoft's Word or Works; it might be the Sun | | | | essay. |
| publishing suite, or any other. | | | | Avoid the general mistakes in grammar such as |
| The personal essay doesn't differ from other high | | | | run-on sentences and attempting to combine |
| school writing in that there are still three steps for | | | | passive and active voice in a single sentence. |
| the easiest result. First, pre-write. This is where | | | | Spelling is an imperative area to watch. Many "spell |
| you get your words flowing. You are free to skip, | | | | check" functions will catch the wrong spelling, but |
| jump paragraphs, and just write whatever you | | | | not the wrong word. For example, "eye like two |
| want. You shouldn't be concerned with anything | | | | dense," is spelled correctly according to a word |
| during this phase of the essay process. | | | | processor, even though you might be attempting |
| The first stage is all about brainstorming and | | | | to say, "I like to dance." |
| experimenting. This is the best place to really | | | | If you prepare yourself for the process and don't |
| discover yourself and your life. What have been | | | | push, you can have the greatest essay possible. |
| your greatest achievements? Have you | | | | All you need to do is to realize the commitment |
| experienced disappointments or hardships that | | | | involved, be ready for it, and give full attention to |
| made you a stronger person? | | | | all details. You can complete your personal college |
| Have you traveled extensively? Are you actively | | | | essay without anxiety. |
| participating in community outreach or fundraising | | | | |