College Essay Cliches to AVOID (or Else!!!)

Not sure about you, but I am having some serious long weekend blues, wishing the alarm clock could have waited just another day AT LEAST!   

Instead I hope this video and my MOMO tribute will lighten your mood.

Do you remember MOMO - the creepy ghost sent from the Youtube Matrix to get all our children? SNL has bok bok...

Anyways when I get a little cabin fever recording this is what happens...a MOMO impersonation. Hope you enjoy!!! 

SO - for my Juniors soon to be Seniors - WHY WE ARE HERE - today's video will share the pitfalls you want to AVOID when writing the oh so important college essay. Arming yourself with what not to do will ensure you start on the right path.

Happy Writing!!!

Questbridge Essay (HOW TO WRITE A MEMORABLE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY)

QUESTBRIDGE ESSAY (HOW TO WRITE A MEMORABLE SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY) // The Questbridge scholarship helps make top tier, out of state colleges a reality for so many star students of low income backgrounds. Want to learn the 3 key themes your essay should cover to stand out? This video will share the guiding questions you should consider then 3 key elements the Questbridge prep scholars essay needs to include. Deadline is March 20th. Make sure you’re ready to maximize your chances. Before writing your college essay, learn expert tips for how to start applying to college much easier.

How to Start Your College Essay (AND BE UNIQUE)→

Today WYA is launching weekly Youtube videos with expert tips students can bring into their college application essays to maximize engagement! Check out our channel!!!

https://youtu.be/MCHQvrQ69A4

HOW TO START YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY (BE UNIQUE TO ADMISSIONS) // Want your college application to stand out? This video will show you how to start your college application essay so your college application is unique. These college essay tips will improve your personal statement which can be the difference between accepted or not. Your personal statement for college is your direct line of communication to the admissions office. Before writing your college essay, learn expert tips for how to start applying to college much easier.

Introducing College Scoops!!

Your insider's guide to eating your way through an incredible College experience...

Planning college visits? College Scoops provides an insider’s guide for where to eat, stay and explore while visiting college campuses in a mobile-friendly format that is easily accessible on the road. Find the hidden gems from their handpicked student ambassadors and get a feel for what life will be like for your child from students who are already immersed in campus life. College Scoops has over 120 college itineraries online saving parents time, energy and stress. Enjoy the sights and bites!

Brainstorming the College Application Essay

Brainstorming the College Application Essay, What to Avoid and How to Stand Out

For the last 10 years, the time I have been working with students on their personal statements, I have witnessed a clear move towards creative nonfiction. That is what the college application essay has become – a piece of experience snazzy enough to entertain, yet savvy enough to share lessons learned. If such a high bar is accomplished your main college essay is your direct line to the Admission Officers – as if you were in the room, selling your candidacy in a non-preachy but oh-so-convincing-manner.

The best essays are the most honest, descriptive and nuanced texts. Therefore, I advise 3 things all students should keep in mind when first approaching their essay.

• Know the reader but then forget the reader: Your best bet is to write honestly, always showcasing your best self. Forget what you think the admission officers WANT to hear because that will be a trap to remain safe, unimaginative and like you’re selling out a little bit.

• Check in with yourself: what’s your story in images? Here comes the brainstorming part - decide which formative experience, anecdote about your life, ritual or tradition you could describe with sensory driven language…basically I want to hear, smell, taste, feel and then see. The 1-2 anecdotes you pick should have a lot happening outside of your head. Can you capture snippets of conversation? Fun, colorful personalities in your life?

• Avoid clichés: If you can google the phrase, it shouldn’t be in your paper. It’s not about winning or losing, Be the change you want see in the world, I’ve always wanted to study Engineering. Okay, the last one is not technically a cliche; however, what all of these phrases have in common is that they are so pervasive in personal statements you are relinquishing your power of making meaning to the reader. What I mean is – that these phrases are so commonplace that they mean something to everyone. So, admission officers can read into them their own values and principles and not yours.

For a guide to writing your own FIRE personal statement, check out my FREE, YES FREE template. Sign up for my mailing list and you will automatically receive the PDF.

 

FREE, FREE, FREE – I will continue with a bounty of awesomeness with a CollegeWeek Live  chat for students and parents interested in learning more about the admissions process. Log on, ask questions or ghost and silently soak up some knowledge. Either way, I will be giving real time advice and you can all ask questions as we go along.

8/22/18 - Back to School (US students) 7PM EST - https://bit.ly/2sOtlSF
8/29/18 - International Student Day 11AM EST - https://bit.ly/2sFL3YY

The Waiting Game

Here are a few things to do while waiting for your college acceptance...

Keep up with your courses. This is not the time for SENIORITIS. Colleges receive your final transcripts. It is important that you maintain your grades, activities; keep up your overall dedication.

Get your finances in order. Consider applying for scholarships, make sure FAFSA is complete since schools look to that information for need based but also some merit based awards.

Contact but don’t overwhelm your top schools. You may find contradictory information on this topic; however, my recommendation is to follow up with your top schools (via email is best). Start a thoughtful conversation with the regional admissions rep. Ask questions about the school, or send an updated activities list or even an extra letter of recommendation. Don’t overwhelm them with tedious questions. For most institutions, you can track your application online, but do share with them your genuine interest.