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College Admission Essays

Because of my background as a high school English teacher, professional writer and magazine editor, working with students regarding their college admission essays is my favorite part of being a college counselor. The college application essay is your chance to reveal the person behind the GPA and test scores. You want to tell a compelling story that reveals something about your character.

When you work on your college application essays, take into consideration all of the following:

• topic selection and synergy between multiple essays
• content--engaging intros, powerful storytelling, dynamic conclusions 
• tone--finding your voice and revealing your personality
• compelling language--making your essay memorable with vivid wording and sentence structure 
• wordiness--omitting the irrelevant 
• grammar, punctuation, word choice--no mistakes!
• flow--improving transitions, structure, and readability 
  

Here are some great resources:

• To get rolling on possible topics for your college admissions essays, supplements and scholarship essays, use this Essay Brainstorming Worksheet
  
• YouTube video from Boston University on How to Write a College Admissions Essay that Stands Out
  
• College admissions officers read a lot of admissions essays, so you want to find positive ways to make yours memorable. Check out these Essay Do's and Don'ts
•  Seven Essay Tips courtesy of Cambridge Essay Service 
  
• An Admissions Dean Offers Advice on Writing a College Essay by Martha C. Merrill of Connecticut College 
  
• Essay Writing Tips courtesy of Oregon Episcopal School
  
• Top 10 Tips for College Application Essays from the National Association for College Admission Counseling 
  
• Many supplemental colleges essays ask "Why Our School?" Here's a YouTube video that explains how to structure your school specific application essay 
  

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Comprehensive college counseling  
Westside: Jodi Walder,  jodi.walder@comcast.net, (503) 720-7114,  
Eastside: Emily Standish, emilystandish@comcast.net, (503) 267-4605, 
Portland Metro: Debra Sankovitz, debra.sankovitz@gmail.com, (503) 901-0059,
Global: Rachel Coleman, rachelc1@alumni.stanford.edu
​​Eastside: Abby McKinnon, abby@portlandchildfamilycounseling.com , (503) 317-8761
​Eastside: Robin Johnson, robinajohnsonpdx@gmail.com​ , (503) 896-8826
College Admission Coach, LLC makes no representations, warranties or guarantees about admission to any school. 
Content copyright 2009-2017. College Admission Coach, LLC. All rights reserved.
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