<p>I’m just curious to know if the college essay is like the SAT essay where the more hard words you use the more your chance of getting in to college…etc.</p>
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<p>The essay should be a portrait of YOU. You are the story… the “topic” is just the backdrop by which you will become known. If you use pretentious words normally, then that is you. If not, don’t try. When you are finished with your essay, read it out loud. If there are places where you don’t sound natural, rewrite those and replace it with words that “flow” (and you feel comfortable saying your essay).</p>
<p>^ The truth.</p>
<p>Using SAT words is the worst thing you can do to your essay. I’d recommend reading Elements of Style by Strunk & White. Great writing is the least likely to have fancy vocabulary. Clear, concise, and thoughtful writing is worth more than any amount of pretentious fluff.</p>
<p>Good response.</p>
<p>No myoliewufan1995, the college essay is, in its very essence, polar to the SAT essay. The SAT measures your ability to stretch out your thoughts over 2 pages in a 25min time period, while using hollow examples and inappropriately placed long words.</p>
<p>At its very core, the college essay is you. The simpler the essay, the better your chances. Now, let me explain that. Anyone can write complex, convoluted essays full of wise anecdotes and intellectual drama. Only you can portray a simple, bare and honest aspect of yourself on paper. Depending on the topic at hand, you may choose to word your response differently. However, the main point is the you should write about what you feel best illustrates your personality.</p>
<p>Writing an essay will be hard, but if you keep at it, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised at the end :)</p>