The College Essay

As seniors, you will be asked by many colleges and universities to write a college essay or personal statement. You will be given specific prompts, but typically, each is asking for an insight into you as a student and a person.

How important is the college essay?

A college admissions committee will evaluate three important areas of your academic profile:

your grade point average.

the rigorousness of your schedule.

your essay.

Writing a clear, convincing, and fresh essay is significant to the admissions process.

Guidelines

1. Use the first person voice. Unlike other writing assignments, most essay prompts are entirely about you.
2. Tell your story clearly and simply, in your voice; that is, write in words that feel comfortable to you without being too informal or formal.
3. Emphasize what you’ve gained, how you’ve grown, and how an experience has changed you.
4. Your essay should be approximately 500 to 700 words (not more than two double-spaced pages, unless otherwise directed). Avoid the temptation to pack in as much as you can. The admissions counselor will appreciate your conciseness. Remember that s/he is reading many essays (thousands for the public schools!).
5. Plan to write at least three drafts.

 

As part of the junior portfolio process, you will be asked to respond to the three University of California personal statement prompts, irrespective of your current English course. Once your teacher has read and graded your essay, it will be returned to your guidance counselor. Your guidance counselor will use the personal statement as the basis for beginning his or her work with you at the beginning of the senior year.