Writing the Perfect College Essay

Introduction

• Speaker: Ashton Herndon
• Topic: The college application process and the importance of college essays
• Transitioning from high school to the college application journey can be stressful.

Personal Experience with College Applications

• The drive to attend prestigious colleges (Ivy League aspirations).
• The pressure of academic achievements (straight A's, club involvement).
• Despite solid GPA and test scores, the college essay remains a critical hurdle.

Importance of the College Essay

• College essays can significantly impact acceptance decisions.
• Many top applicants share remarkable stories in their essays.
• Building confidence can be challenging when comparing oneself to high-achieving peers.

Key Topics of College Essays

1. Common App Essay (general essay)
2. Why Us Essay (specific reasons for choosing the college)
3. Oddball Questions (creative prompts)

Strategies for Writing a College Essay

• Identifying Key Aspects:
  • Colleges typically look for traits like leadership, teamwork, and community service.
  • Frame responses around these key aspects.
• Authenticity Over Perfection:
  • Share stories of adversity and personal challenges.
  • Genuine narratives resonate more than claims of perfection.

Writing the 'Why Us' Essay

• Research the college’s specific programs, projects, and faculty.
• Mention relevant professors’ work to demonstrate genuine interest.
• Clearly articulate personal contributions to the college community.

Tackling Oddball Questions

• Use creative prompts to showcase unique aspects of personality.
• Ensure responses incorporate important qualities or experiences.
• Emphasize creativity and uniqueness in answers.

Conclusion

• College essays should reflect individuality beyond grades and test scores.
• Following these tips can help craft a compelling essay.
• Encouragement to embrace personal stories and experiences.

Call to Action

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• Playlist and subscription details for additional college application resources.