Colleges on Long Island

Writing a great college application essay has never been an easy job. With the increasing number of applicants vying for a limited number of openings, the task of standing out is even more important. So, how easy is it gaining an admission to the college of your choice? That depends on a lot of factors, one of which is your essay. Writing a stellar personal application essay could get a student with not so great scores in the door, while a student with higher grades and scores but a poorly written essay might be rejected.

The admission essay portion of your college application can make all the difference; it can either make or break your aspirations, so to speak. Since your college essay gives an idea of who you are as an individual, it needs to be the best piece you’ve ever written. A great college application essay can separate you from the rest of the applicants hoping to get in.

Make your essay personal and easy to read. Stick to the word count limit and avoid going on and on about various subjects. The essay needs to have one and only one central focus. The tone should be conversational and direct, not stuffy or overly academic. Don’t try to include all of your accomplishments and activities in your essay – such essays are boring to read. Admissions staff wants to know more about how you think and what you care about. You’ll have enough space to list other interests and extracurricular activities in other sections of the application. The best essays tell a story about one particular moment or experience in a person’s life that stands out. Be yourself and tell a story that only you can tell.

The subject matter is the most important part of your college application essay so a whole lot of brainstorming has to be done before venturing out into it. Identify your key accomplishments, special skills and talents that set you apart from other applicants. Write the application question on a piece of paper and think about it for some time. Don’t wait until a few of days before the deadline to start writing – you’ll need at least a couple of weeks to prepare and revise it as needed.

Having gone through a long session of brainstorming, you are now ready to get into the finer details to be included in your application essay. Leaving a lasting impression on admission officers is not an easy task by any means. Ensure you have a catchy topic – more often than not they have very little time to go through all the essays and select only the best ones so keep the message simple, clear and to the point.

Make sure you are original and unique in your writing. Though many college applications have standardized essay questions, try to put a creative spin on your response. Use both research and your imagination, and be concise in your writing. Avoid being too familiar, sarcastic or comic – just a touch of humor will do. Try to lighten up the essay with a clever metaphor, a well-placed witticism, or a little self-deprecating humor.

When you’re finished, proofread your essay for spelling, punctuation and grammar. A piece of writing containing errors will almost always ruin or at least lessen your chances for getting into college. It’s a good idea to ask your teacher to go over the essay with you, or find someone with strong editorial skills. If you can’t find expert help, use online essay services that can provide an honest critique of your writing. Mail your application early – admission staff tends to get busier as the deadline approaches so don’t wait until the last minute.

While some college students know exactly what they want to major in when they enter college, most have just a vague idea. Choosing a major requires a lot of thought and consideration but in fact it’s just the first step towards developing a basis for your education. And when it comes to deciding on a career after college, your major is just a starting point, it certainly doesn’t predetermine what you end up doing. What’s important is discovering what you’re good at and what you love to do. The following steps will help you in the process:

1. Self-assessment

The first step in choosing a major is to complete a self assessment. Identify where your interests lie and what excites you. What type of jobs or careers would you like to pursue? Once you have a set of answers for all these questions you can move on to the second step.

2. Examine your abilities and talents

As an individual you have to know your strengths and weaknesses, what kind of skills you have and what you love to do. A short analysis of your abilities can go a long way in helping you choose a suitable major in college.

3. Value Identification

Identify what you value most in a career. Examples of values are stability, status, salary, helping society, etc. Think about whether you’d rather have a job you love with little pay or have a job that’s not so exciting but offers great pay. It’s also a good idea to visit your college career center to get more information on the opportunities available to you.

4. Career Exploration

Search for links or resources that will provide you with a list of occupations you can pursue after majoring in a college. Go through various fact sheets and websites that can guide you in the process. Research the growth of the field that interests you. Is it expanding or do graduates have hard time finding a job after college? Will you need any additional training? Try to find a major that offers flexibility when it comes to finding a job.

5. Reality Check

At this point you have to honestly evaluate all the options in front of you. Do you really have it in you to become a successful doctor or engineer? If long years of difficult courses and studying isn’t something you want to do, maybe a different career path is a better option for you. Find out whether your major will require graduate studies, and consider whether you’d be willing to spend the extra time and money. It’s important to be realistic in your approach.

6. Narrowing down your options and focusing 

The last step would be to narrow down all the choices you’ve made so far and select the best one. After assessing all possibilities and doing research, you are now in a better position to understand what your interests are, where your strengths lie and what a certain major can offer you. If you’re still not sure what you’d like to major in, talking to your professors and classmates can help you in the process. Finally, if you’re unhappy with the major you’ve chosen, you can still change it.