26 replies to this topic

[chalow]

i hate this i haven't got one application in because of those retarded essays they make you write their so weird and i gotta somehow kick myself in the ass to get em done ugh this stuff is very overwhelming considering i don't even know what i wanna do

[Shin]

I used to feel the same way.

For the essay, don't focus on trying to impress the reader or inflating yourself or anything like that. Choose something that you feel interested or passionate about, and be honest. I've found that it's much easier to write when I'm being honest and myself, not trying to make myself sound like someone I'm not.

[zachafer]

i dont care . dont tell codex bout it. no one cares

[ShadowLink64]

i dont care . dont tell codex bout it. no one cares

Maybe some people would like to share their experiences for applying to colleges. Don't ruin the topic please.

[cooldude]

I care . Well i going to have to start doing it. Brother just did all his crap last year, he is now going to FSU this year and is a freshman. I am horrible at getting stuff done to and my mom just bitches non stop about it.....

[Nick]

Try to avoid common topics, especially "State of the World" type things. I would go with what shin said, but still try to impress the reader, and don't make yourself sound arrogant.

[Shin]

Personally, I think the essay should not include any of your academics at all. Colleges already know your transcript grades, your extracurriculars, and everything school-related. You want to tell them something they don't know. Show them that you aren't a robot who spends the entire day studying or just playing video games. Tell them what motivates you, or what interests you. Feel free to write about, for example, how you eat an Oreo cookie. (I actually read a great college essay on that topic) You can write about anything you want; just make sure you make it interesting and personal to you.

Edited by shin, 16 November 2006 - 08:45 PM.

[chalow]

But i thought the essays had to be on like such given topics... my guidance counselor left for Florida she normally helps kids write them ill just have to go to someone else... i don't understand the point of the essay anyway what can you possibly show in an essay that you cant by your resume/transcript besides the obvious personality but why would a college care what you are like personally... and a bit off topic but yet not do you think a teacher is a respectable job b/c i'm considering that field.

[Shin]

why would a college care what you are like personally

Colleges don't look at only GPAs or SAT scores. They also want to know what kind of a person you are - most students have the misconception that the ONLY thing that colleges care about is how well they do in colleges. This is false. Colleges love hearing about something personal that a person can share about himself.

... and a bit off topic but yet not do you think a teacher is a respectable job b/c i'm considering that field.

I think that teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world, but highly undervalued and underpaid.

[chalow]

I think that teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world, but highly undervalued and underpaid.

the pay worries me a bit only b/c i want to be sure i can get by but besides that teaching math for me would prolly the best job i think if i needed to i definately could do something more highly paid or valued but for know ill goto college for teaching... thanks for alll your advice =]

[Redblade]

Colleges don't look at only GPAs or SAT scores. They also want to know what kind of a person you are - most students have the misconception that the ONLY thing that colleges care about is how well they do in colleges. This is false. Colleges love hearing about something personal that a person can share about himself.

Nah not really true in my country. They look at your GCSE O level results to decide whether you get in or not. Its only true that you need to write about something ( most probably why you wanna choose this school etc) if you failed to make it by your grades and your appealing to get in.

[ShadowLink64]

Nah not really true in my country. They look at your GCSE O level results to decide whether you get in or not. Its only true that you need to write about something ( most probably why you wanna choose this school etc) if you failed to make it by your grades and your appealing to get in.

Same here, the universities mostly look at your school marks in order to determine whether to give you entrance or not (at least in Alberta, Canada or so I've noticed).

[Redblade]

To add on that, i guess its because our countries are placing more importance in the academic areas.
However, entrance to some University in my country now also depend on a 1-year project which will be graded according to how well you communicate, your presentation, your teamwork and many more. For the higher end course, interviews might be conducted to test your ability to think on your feet or you might need to work on a assignments for a couple of weeks to test on your resourcefulness.

Therefore the way the system in my country grade your application to University is more comprehensive than yours SL64


EDIT: my 2000th post YAY

Edited by Redblade, 16 November 2006 - 11:25 PM.

[dolphinbomb]

why would a college care what you are like personally...

Pssst, I'll tell you a secret. C'mere.
*whispers* They don't.

[Frizzle]

Character statement = essay Alix.

[Frizzle]

Anything over 3 paragraphs is an essay to me. Although I don't like writing long lines of shit, I've taken History and Politics...which is allllllll essays.

Anyways good lucky smelly.

[Christopher Robin]

i dont care . dont tell codex bout it. no one cares

You're an asshole, know that?



Anyways... essays are a bitch I'm presenting mine first thing Monday

[Sakura]

Don't stress it, I thought that I was doing poorly on my applications and I recieved acceptance letters from all 4 that I applied to. *shrug*

They go through a lot of applications, usually they have a committee set for one day a week, and typically don't pay a lot of attention to anyone. More of a skimming, really.

Also, congrats, get ready for the worst 4 or so years of your life.

[Mystical]

If you have a GPA of 3.2 but are very active in other things and have a stunning personality you will get into almost any college over a kid with a GPA of 3.5 and has been in no activities with a personality that is like a dildo in a sandbox.

[foogie]

applying to university is easy. I tell my mom where I wanna go, she makes it happen. XD

[SupermanFTM]

That's horrible foogie...

Anyway, good luck with all yours essays, it gets pretty unnerving when work piles up, so just take it slow and do the best you can

[pyke]

Yeah, but it's not really an essay...you spend half of it just talking about why you want to do that subject.
I've seen the sort of stuff you have to turn in for American unis and it's very different.

The worst part is you have to do it separately for each damned school. Also the fees are shit xD

Tis why I am only applying at 3 spots. Then going to whichever one offers the best deal in terms of scholarships

[Redblade]

The worst part is you have to do it separately for each damned school. Also the fees are shit xD

Tis why I am only applying at 3 spots. Then going to whichever one offers the best deal in terms of scholarships

Same here. Was hoping i could get a scholarship to Yale, but well guess it was very difficult. Besides, dont take loans to go to uni. The amount will multi fold a lot and by the time you complete your education, you'll have to spend quite a number of years trying to repay it and the interest would be still snowballing. In short, you'll never get rich or rather, live the way you want.