Do colleges look at personal essays?

Most selective colleges require you to submit an essay or personal statement as part of your application. It may sound like a chore, and it will certainly take a substantial amount of work. But it's also a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time.

What do colleges look for in a personal essay?

Colleges look for three things in your admission essay: a unique perspective, strong writing, and an authentic voice.

How important is the personal essay for college?

Even if the rest of your profile makes you a top candidate for competitive colleges, your essay always matters. In fact, your essay could end up hurting an application for an otherwise strong candidate if it appears hastily written or not well thought-out.

Do colleges care about your essay?

Now more than ever, college essays are incredibly important in the college admission process, an opportunity to share who the student is outside of the classroom and how they can be an asset to their selected campus. The college essay is one of the best ways to showcase a student's strengths beyond their academics.

Do colleges actually read personal statements?

Yes, every college essay is read if the college has asked for it (and often even if they did not ask for it). The number of readers depends on the college's review process. It will be anywhere from one reader to four readers.

College Admission Officers, What Made You Declined A Student?

How much do colleges care about essays?

Depends on the school. The vast majority of schools don't care much about the common app essay, but relatively more selective schools that have holistic admissions do care about the essays, including supplementals.

Do UK universities actually read personal statements?

Officers at Russell Group universities devoted only 90 seconds per statement on average. One admissions officer reported: “We look at them all but the majority we don't read in their entirety – we give them a skim.” The majority of those surveyed said decisions were primarily made on the basis of exam grades.

What not to say in a why college essay?

This might seem obvious, but it's best to avoid writing about anything that portrays the school you're applying to in a negative way. Some students might consider doing a negative topic as a way to stand out or get credit for taking a risk on their essay. However, the school isn't likely to see it this way.

Can my college essay be sad?

Avoid writing a sob story: Your essay should not be an attempt to gain sympathy from the admissions officers. Instead, it should convey important aspects of your personal growth, values, or resilience in the face of adversity.

Should you swear in your college essay?

Avoid swearing in a college essay, since admissions officers' opinions of profanity will vary.

What do colleges value most?

Is it OK to trauma dump in college essays?

Don't just trauma dump.

Simply writing about your trauma will not showcase any of your positive traits, which is what colleges are really looking for. Instead, be sure to discuss how the trauma affected you as a person, and what you did to move past it. This will illustrate your introspection, and resilience.

Is it OK to write about anxiety in a college essay?

If a student feels that they must discuss their mental health, they should do so in the “Additional Information” section of the college application, not the Personal Statement. Depending on the application, students may also want to attach a note from a psychiatrist or therapist.

Is mental illness a bad college essay topic?

While colleges are supportive of their students' mental health challenges and provide resources and services, you don't want their first impression of you on your application to be something that makes them uncertain of your abilities. So, keep this in mind when deciding whether to disclose your mental health history.

What is the most common college essay topic?

How bad is a typo in a college essay?

And don't panic- while you should absolutely strive to avoid typos, a minor one may even go unnoticed entirely. Even if the application reader does spot the mistake, schools realize that applicants are human and mistakes happen; they are usually not judged too harshly, especially if it's just one small error.

How do you make a college essay not cringe?

Do they plagiarize check personal statements?

The UCAS Similarity Detection Service

2.3 If a personal statement shows 60% or more of plagiarised matter, the application will be considered by Admissions but the applicant will be informed of the detected plagiarism and the seriousness of this offence.

Do personal statements get checked?

What happens if a personal statement has similarities? Any statements showing a level of similarity of greater than 30% are reviewed by members of the UCAS Verification Team.

What should you avoid in a UCAS personal statement?

Don't make unsupported claims. 'I am the best student you will see all year' doesn't go down too well, even if you think you can prove it! Don't copy someone else's UCAS personal statement or use something you have found on the internet.

Is 4 paragraphs good for a college essay?

There is no specific number of paragraphs that is considered "best" for a college essay with a 650-word limit. The length and structure of paragraphs can vary depending on the content and flow of your essay. However, a general guideline is to have around 4-6 paragraphs in a 650-word essay.

Do colleges care how long your essay is?

If your institution doesn't provide a specific word count, it's best to keep your essay between the length established by the longer college admissions essay format: 250 to 650 words. Word count is just one factor to consider as you craft your college admissions essay.

How many paragraphs is a good college essay?

There is no set number of paragraphs in a college admissions essay. College admissions essays can diverge from the traditional five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in English class. Just make sure to stay under the specified word count.

Can you talk about addiction in college essays?

Likewise, if a story of addiction and recovery is an essential part of your past, it may be a worthy topic. However, students should never mention the casual use of drugs or alcohol. The same goes for any illegal acts. It sounds obvious enough, but you'd be surprised!

Should I write about OCD in college essay?

If you are struggling with a mental condition, like OCD, for example, and it's still something that actively gives you a lot of trouble, it may not be a topic you want to write about. This doesn't mean you shouldn't show any weakness in your college essays.