This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Strategies for Writing an Effective College Essay

This Thursday, August 1st,  officially marks the advent of the new Common Application- CA4, the online portal which allows students  to apply on-line to colleges.  It also portends the preparation of a variety of essays by which students may express their characters to admissions officers. But there also is a word limit to this essay, which challenges students to deliberate carefully how they will write their pieces.

This is the year of a new Common Application including new essay prompts and rules regarding supplements.   First, there is a more formal structure to the essay requirement, for five new  guided prompts, of which the student must select one, will replace the former ones. These new questions with specific focuses supplant an old one which left the content of composition open to the whim of the writer. Proponents will defend that the opportunity for personalized creativity is conserved since there are multiple prompts available as well as infinite ways of responding to these prompts. However, although students can respond to the new questions in their own uniquely creative ways, the lack of an open-ended question among the new prompts precludes students from inventing the focus of their compositions, which for some is a grave loss.

With the lack of a rather open-ended question, like the one included in the former version of the Common Application, students will be forced to confront a new challenge. They must clearly and concisely answer a specific prompt and at the same time showcase their singular genius for writing well. In the past, the open-ended question left open an infinity of ideas for students. Now, students must explore infinity within the domain of five specific prompts – an infinity within limits. Only the most creative will get to the top of the applicant pool!

Find out what's happening in Farmingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So what advice can I offer?

Most importantly, try to know yourself.  Ask yourself ‘Who am I? Do I have an identity? If so, what is it?’ In trying to answer these questions, I recommend that you spend time each day for reflection of the deepest, most genuine kind.  If someone were to get to know you, what would you want him or her to know?  What about you will not be understood by a transcript or a resume?

Find out what's happening in Farmingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After you excogitate ideas about what you wish to demonstrate to your readers, write them out. Write many drafts of this composition, if necessary, until the one which you think is best has been produced.  To compose the best essay of which you are capable requires much time in examining what a well-written composition is. I advise to freshmen reading this article to study as diligently as possible in developing your writing capabilities within the next four years  of secondary education so that you may express your ideas in all ways with more ease, clarity, and precision.

The Collegeologist is an independent college consultation practice which simplifies the college process for students and parents in the Farmington Valley area. Located at 395 West Avon Road in Avon (Across from All-Star Driver). Tel. 860-673-1500 www.thecollegeologist.com. Call for a complimentary consultation. Office visits, email & Skype are available. Like the Collegeologist on FB and follow us on twitter @thecollegeologist.

©The Collegeologist 2013.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?