<p>So I’m going to be a 9th grader next year and I just wanted to know what is the most important things in your essay that will possibly make a school want to accept you. I’m a pretty good writer, but there is always some sort of strategy to these things, so it would be nice to know. Also, can you write about anything and the topic you choose to write about, does it affect you in anyway?</p>
<p>Thanks!! Please respond!</p>
<p>There is only one topic in college admissions essays: You! The rest is just a framework in which the story about you is placed. Probably the most important thing is dddthat shows (demonstrates, not explicitly tells about) a transition. The transition is from the initial paragraph, showing a tentative you, you facing an obstacle or hardship or nemesis or situation, to a final paragraph showing a stronger you, a more confident you. The middle few paragraphs just are steps in that transition. Think of your essay as a movie in 4-5 scenes.</p>
<p>Good response!! Thank you!!</p>
<p>Go deep and personal with your essays as well. And when I say deep and personal, I don’t mean “Oh I had a hard time with this class and I persevered!”. No. Just no. Try to dig deeper than that. Try to understand the person you’ve become and see what key experiences have turned you into that person. Of course, how personal you want to go is entirely up to you. Just know that you don’t have to have all the answers right now- you’ll have enough experiences throughout your four years in high school to figure all of that out.</p>
<p>wow… deep</p>
<p>A. Shock story. Risky but you know they’re gonna sit up and pay attention to your essay. [Note: It’s generally best to avoid essays mentioning law breaking and whatnot. Just remember when you read your essay, “Would I accept me?”]
B. Humorous story. Many would hedge their bets with one of these but unless you’re really funny, it would be just as risky as option a. Even if you’re funny, should the story be without an emotional core or profound element, then it would be a waste of your $100 bucks.
C. Everything else i.e. life choices, adversities you’ve overcome, lessons you’ve learned. Under no circumstance should these stories end in a pile of tears. Think of stuff like The Blind Side not The Pursuit of Happiness. You’d want a light, heartwarming story of overcoming things instead of beating the admissions officer into uncomfortable sadness with a heart-wrenching story. Especially bad when you’re aiming said wrench at Ivy League schools.</p>
<p>As always, make sure the grammar and vocab is correct. Structure your essay properly. Have good flow leading from one paragraph into another and good luck.</p>
<p>I totally agree with digmedia. YOU are the most important part of the essay.
Think about how you can integrate YOU in the essay.</p>