Senior Prog
Many resources we will use and reference come from College Essay Guy!
Ethan Sawyer
Other College Essay
Guy free resources: Podcast Youtube Videos
How many essays do I have How many essays do I have to write to apply to college?! to write to apply to college?!
Scholarship Application essay(s) It depends! But generally, you can expect to write at least one (likely more) of the following essays:
Personal Statement (650 words max)
Supplemental Essays for specific colleges (usually 250-350 words max)
What
What makes a great
makes a great
Personal Statement? Personal
Statement?
1.Values (aka info)
2.Insight (so what?)
3.Vulnerability (is it personal?)
4.Craft (clear, logical, well-written)
Things to know about Things to know about
the Common App the Common App
Personal Statement Personal Statement before we begin: before we begin:
650 words max word count
7 Common App prompts you can choose from (one option is a no-prompt prompt) Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm! Don't narrow down your topic or choose a prompt too early in the brainstorming process.
Brainstorming is so important!
Vizualization Exercise
Important Essay Writing Tips Important Essay Writing Tips
Be authentic!
Don't be afraid to talk out loud or brain dump on the page. Your essay should not be a summary of your activities.
Your essay does NOT have to be a story of hardship in order for it to be compelling.
Important Essay Tips from Important Essay Tips from CollegeWise CollegeWise
A boring college essay... A boring college essay...
uses 1) common topics and 2) makes common connections
Common Topic: Common Connections:
Mission Trip
Sports Injury
"Taught me how to be grateful for what I have, and that anyone no matter the circumstance can have joy"
"Taught me resilience and to never give up"
That does NOT mean these topics can't be a part of your essay, just don't make them your WHOLE essay
College Essay Guy Essay Structures
Montage:
A montage is a series of seemingly unrelated events or moments that, put together, combine to create a coherent, connected story. You want it to be about something you know a lot about, and you want it to be able to relate to multiple parts of who you are.
Narrative:
This path is useful if you’ve faced personal challenges. It basically involves describing three things: challenge you’ve faced + effects on you what you did about it what you learned
How do I brainstorm?
Brainstorming Exercises Brainstorming Exercises
from College Essay Guy from College Essay Guy
Values
I love, I know
100 Brave & Interesting Questions
Essence Objects
Can
AI help me write my Can AI help me write my college essays? college essays?
Best answer: No. At Crosby, we encourage you not to use AI for essays.
Common App will ask you to certify that your work is your own & classifies using “the substantive content or output of an artificial intelligence platform” as fraud.
On our June 11th campus visit to UNC-CH & NC State, admissions officers at both colleges addressed AI use for essay writing - both schools said, “No.”
Using AI for... brainstorming: limits your ideas, ... writing: removes your voice & experiences - all of which are needed for a great essay!
Final Tips: Final Tips:
Every paragraph should have:
an example, a value, an insight
Use details, details, and more details!
What's next?
How can Crosby Scholars help me with essay writing? How can Crosby Scholars help me with essay writing?
sign up for a 1:1 Essay Coaching session (coming in July) attend Essay Writing 201: Strengthening & Supplementals in July submit an essay draft to our Essay Review Service (beginning in September) reach out to your Crosby Advisor