How will your essay stand out, even if you think you are writing about a topic common to most applicants? Details, details, and more details. The reader needs to know what makes your story unique. To differentiate yourself from other applicants and help your essay stick in the minds of admissions officers, you need to incorporate, for example, names of people and places, times and dates, colors and textures of objects, and degrees of feelings.
Too often, an essay with an interesting story will fizzle into a series of statements that tell rather than show the qualities of the writer. As a result, the essay succumbs to the usual clichés: “the value of hard work and perseverance,” and “learning from mistakes.” The following example will help you understand the difference:
Before: I developed a new compassion for the disabled.
After: The next time that Mrs. Cooper asked me to help her across the street, I smiled and immediately took her arm.
The first sentence is vague and could have been written by anybody. The second sentence, however, evokes a vivid image of something that actually happened, placing the reader in the experience.
Consider some of your favorite books and how the author used detail to paint a picture in your mind. While you may not be writing a book, using details as shown in the above helps the reader’s imagination. Doing this increases reading engagement and makes you more memorable. When you want an admissions officer to pick you from hundreds of others, you’ll need to stand out.
Admissions officers will appreciate good use of detail. They will be able to assess that you are a mature candidate capable of getting others to understand the uniqueness, significance, and value of your experiences.
Sample Essays And Comments
EssayEdge Extra: Words of Wisdom from Admissions Officers
“Write about the specific rather than the general, the concrete rather than the abstract.”—Admissions Officer, Stanford University
The choice of admission essay topics is limited, and you can’t do anything with it. But now you know how to stand out in a situation like this. Describing details isn’t as easy as it may seem, but do it the way you can. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake — you’ll order college essay editing online after you finish writing.
Next: Tell a Story
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