Tips for crafting essays that elevate your child's college prospects.

July 11, 2024

[24/03/09 Webinar Summary]

The essay is an important part of the US college admissions process. We'll walk you through the different stages of the essay, from choosing a topic, to how to write it, to feedback, and give you tips on how to write a higher quality essay.

Types of College Essays

College essays consist of the Common Application / Supplementary Essay.

1) The Common Application Essay is the most common application form used by most colleges and universities and requires you to choose one of seven topics and write a maximum of 650 words or less.

2) The Supplementary Essay is a separate essay required by each university that is linked to the Common Application.

3) UC Essay is an essay that you need to write when using the UC Application, UC Application.

Characteristics of a good essay

A good essay clearly states its topic in the first paragraph, making it clear what it is about. Focusing on a single topic and writing coherently is important for college admissions, as is being thoroughly informed and expressing your love for your prospective university.

Your essay should be at least 400-500 words and should be rich with specific experiences and emotions. You should be honest about any challenges you've faced, but avoid feeling apologetic, and show a depth of experience and appreciation for an activity.

If the topic is too common, such as travel, athletics, or immigration experiences, make sure to differentiate yourself by reflecting your unique insights and perspective.

* Don't miss out!

Upward Bound is coming to you with a variety of webinars to share information about international admissions.

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