Five common types of admission essays you may have to write in future
When colleges decide on admissions, they consider a range of factors such as high school grades, extracurricular activities, and scores from the ACT and SAT.
Nevertheless, a growing number of universities are now disregarding test scores.
Instead, many institutions, such as Harvard, opt to adopt “test-blind” admission policies focusing on different aspects of a college application.
This change in policy is seen as fairer for students who don’t have resources or easy access to tests, as well as those who are affected by stress from testing.
So, what does this mean for you in practical terms? Be aware that your college essay, usually a required component of college applications, is now more important than ever.
An essay provides a unique opportunity for you to introduce yourself to admissions committees who evaluate many applications each year.
This is your chance to prove that you deserve a place in that classroom.
Creating a thoughtfully written essay that showcases your individuality and beliefs can set your application apart from the many typical ones that admissions officers read.
Undoubtedly, law enforcement officials may rely on them even more now, as many universities are no longer considering test scores.
In the upcoming text, we will investigate certain strategies that can be used to distinguish your article from others. We’ll talk about how to start your essay, what to incorporate in your college essay, and elements that lead to a successful college essay.
1) Definition essays
Essay prompts that are definition-based will require you to provide a rather clear definition and explanation of a concept, term, or a group of terms.
Topics for definition essays can range from broad to specific subjects. Regardless of your area of study, it is likely that you will have to write one of these papers while in college.
For instance, your teacher might ask you to explain climate change using a specified reading. To respond to this type of prompt, you must consult the relevant reading to formulate an answer. Once you have a clear understanding of the term, you can begin the essay writing process.
Just like with any composition, you must adhere to the format of Introduction, Thesis Statement, Body, and Conclusion. You only require a brief introduction; 2-3 sentences will suffice.
Your introduction should conclude with a clear thesis statement articulating the definition being discussed. The supporting details in the body paragraph(s) will provide evidence to support your thesis, where you should present facts that support your argument.
According to a trusted admission essay help, the conclusion should bring together all the components by restating your final thesis statement and summarizing it in a few sentences.
2) Argumentative/persuasive essays
Persuasive essay prompts require you to share your opinion on a topic and persuade the reader that your viewpoint is valid.
At times, persuasive essays might be known as argumentative essays; however, we will use the term “persuasive” for this how-to page.
Persuasive essay topics frequently involve controversial subjects that require you to take a stance and defend it. For instance, your teacher might ask you to respond to a question regarding the death penalty, gender equality, and so forth.
Initially, you should decide on the standpoint you wish to adopt regarding the discussed topic. If you prefer not to take a side, you can opt to remain neutral.
Nevertheless, this path presents more challenges for debate, so it is advisable to select a specific stance even if you do not fully support either side.
By doing this, you will ensure that your argument is as powerful as it can be. Once you have established your stance, generate a minimum of three reasons that back up your central point.
The thesis will introduce these assertions and offer evidence to back them up in the body paras.
It may be appealing to use phrases like “I believe” or “In my view” as this type of essay relies heavily on personal opinions.
Nevertheless, steer clear of these as they will undermine your argument. Presenting your opinion can help bolster your argument’s strength. Ensure you are specific and offer enough evidence to support your statements. In the end, reiterate your argument and connect all your statements.
3) Analytical essays
Analytical essay prompts require you to analyze a piece of writing from a critical perspective. This implies that you must provide your ideas and viewpoints on the piece being discussed.
You may need to react to a book, essay, article, etc.
This type of assignment is typically given to students majoring in English or History, but it can also be assigned to students in any other major.
Make sure you have a complete understanding of the material before starting an analytical essay. Taking notes, marking important words and phrases, writing in the margins, and reviewing the text is a valuable approach.
Having good organization is essential for composing a strong analytical essay. After ensuring you comprehend the text and its components, you should articulate your viewpoint.
Decide whether you agree or disagree with the content and style of the writing. Please paraphrase the text below, using the same language and with the same number of words:
After that, pen down your reply. Like a convincing essay, you must support your statements with precise facts and refrain from using phrases like “I believe” and “From my perspective”.
Ensure that your thesis presents your perspective on the piece clearly and succinctly. Utilize the information in the essay through quoting and rephrasing to respond directly to it. The ending should restate your main idea and connect all your ideas and viewpoints.
4) Personal essays
College professors and instructors struggle to remember each student’s name and face due to the large number of students they have. Consequently, they might request for you to compose a personal essay detailing yourself and your experiences in a narrative format.
Typically, instructions for this type of essay are given at the start of every semester.
You may be requested to discuss your summer experiences or discuss something about yourself that is intriguing. However, the goal remains to make a memorable impression on your professor or instructor by ensuring they can easily identify you.
At times, it can be challenging to decide the appropriate level of personal content for this essay. The decision ultimately rests with you and what information you feel at ease disclosing.
Be aware that you may need to present your personal essay to your classmates as part of an icebreaker activity, so avoid writing about anything too confidential. Our top recommendation is to simply remain true to yourself and enjoy writing this type of essay.
They should be treated with importance, although the regulations are not as rigorous as those in an academic paper. Feel free to utilize personal pronouns such as “I” and “my” in this context.
5) Theme-focused writing
Some writers of essays believe that they can make an impression on committees by filling their essays with facts, numbers and details about activities like achievements in sports or descriptions of volunteer work. However, that is not the focus.
College admissions officers want to know more about your personality and what motivates you.
They are interested in understanding what led you to this point in your life.
They want to hear about the insights you have gained from facing challenges and your accomplishments, rather than just your sports victories or volunteer hours.
Inform the reader about how achieving victory in the soccer match contributed to your personal growth as an individual, friend, family member, or leader.
Reflect on how your experience volunteering at a soup kitchen has influenced your educational path and future goals. What have you learned about yourself?
Conclude your essay with a kickass kicker!
In journalism, a kicker serves as the final impactful statement, paragraph, or segment that ties everything in the article. It leaves the reader with a strong impression of satisfaction and admiration for the skillful way in which you have integrated your points in your writing.
Therefore, remember this: Keep your writing brief and clear, be genuinely introspective, and incorporate lively specifics and stories that effectively demonstrate your argument.
Even though crafting an excellent essay does not ensure your acceptance, it can give you an advantage if admissions officers are deciding between candidates with similar academic records and experiences. Compose, edit, revise once more, and best of luck!
