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Example of High-Impact Introduction in College Essay
Key Opinions from Larry on this intro: This introduction is a powerful narration that pulls you into the writer’s personal world and it hints at the level adversity that the student will discuss later on in the essay. It makes the writer likeable and it makes readers eager to learn more about why the writer is about lose all his Hot Wheel cars.
Dear Tigerway Team Members, Parents, and Prospective Families,
Within every college application, there is a voice for every student to showcase their achievements and skills. However, one element that determines their overall voice is their essay.
The college essay portrays the student’s character, background, and value as a potential student for the university. This is the absolute key to making college applications stand out aside from strong academics. The college essay is strong enough to set students aside from high-achieving academic competition within the application pool.
The Common App website proposes multiple prompts that students are familiar with:
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that some one has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
These prompts give students the opportunity to tell college admissions something that may not be seen within the rest of their application. The essay gives colleges a further peek into the student’s identity.
Team Members must also remember that college admission officers read hundreds of essays every day, most of which are often forgettable. The ability to tell a good story is important.
When writing a college essay, you must think about:
Character development through actions, relationships, or emotions.
Showcasing values
A common theme throughout the essay and not getting off track
Specifying one obstacle or memory
Being organized and telling the story in the most effective order
Colleges look for students that have grown from their obstacles or experiences. The experiences that students often write about may not always be unique but the way that the student tells their story is more important.
The example of the college essay intro above highlights the importance of telling a good story to captivate your reader’s attention immediately.
That way, your essay instantly stands out in a sea of other essays that the Admission Officers have to sift through during Early Decision or Regular Decision
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