Not for me, but for my cousin who has (misguidedly) turned to me for help. 2 questions - Please elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (150 words or less) AND Write about one of the following: an experience or dilemma that's impacted you, a person who has had significant influence on you or a concern that's important to you (250 words or less).
I don't know what he's picked to write about yet, but I don't really know how to offer any help besides proofreading. He wants me to help expand upon his ideas but frankly these are pretty short. What do the college admissions folks like these days? What kind of sage words of wisdome can I give him b/c I haaaatttteeee these kind of essays.
Why don't you help him talk it out and work it through. I often help people with essays. Not a big deal as it often feels overwhelming to the writer b/c the stakes are big. And I have seen some craptastic essays from otherwise very bright people.
Post by jennistarr1 on Jan 22, 2013 23:04:16 GMT -5
I would tell him to write and just get the ideas down....I think he'll find that just doing that he'll be so far past the limit...from there he can work on stronger wording and saying things better....
He can have several people read...each will offer their own suggestions and it will help him fine tune it.
Internet searches of other essays might inspire him and get the ideas flowing
I will use this post to shamelessly AW an excerpt my little sister's admissions essay. She hates writing so we were all impressed it was pretty good. Those type of questions call for an opportunity to show how fabulous/motivated/interesting you are IMHO.
The applause fades away, the lights are shut, and after I gather my belongings I walk out in silence knowing that I gave it my all. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I smile knowing that I put on a great show as I slowly undress after another solid performance. I painstakingly remove one strap at a time making sure all of my equipment is put away and ready for tomorrow. One hour until show time, I should have just enough time to rest and refocus, but not enough time to shower. I unzip my other bag removing my next outfit, and lay it out on the seat in front of me. I fasten the gold buttons on my maroon jacket and slip into my fitted white pants. As I lace up my shoes, I am almost ready for my next adventure. Then I realize that something is missing. Where is my plume? If I don’t have my plume I will be in big trouble, and have to pay to replace it, again. Luckily, I find my head gear, attach the plume and walk off the bus ready to strike up the band.
I am a band geek. I am a jock. I am unique. I am the only varsity field hockey and lacrosse player that also participates in our award winning marching band. I attend a high school where there is a fine line between playing sports and playing music. These roles are rigidly defined and generally accepted, but I challenge the norms. In the fall I’m usually at school from seven a.m to nine p.m, eating dinner in an empty hallway. During these long hours, I learn, I workout and I practice my marching skills. As I drag myself to the last class of the day I want to go home, but I wouldn’t give up sports and music if the world depended on it. I run from practice to practice and game to game, changing uniforms on buses, and I love it. Many of my teammates are done right after practice. They gloat about going home and watching the newest television show while I have to stay at school for three more hours. I listen to my fellow “bandies” talk about what they had for dinner at home, while I gulp down my “pb&j” before strapping my harness onto my drum.