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Tips for College Essay Writing

Katie Ridgway

Admissions Counselor

McDaniel College

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GRAMMAR: �THE ENGLISH TEACHER NEVER LIES

  • Double check punctuation and spelling.
  • Vary punctuation and sentence lengths.
  • Make interesting word choices.
  • Watch out for run-on and incomplete sentences.

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FORMAT: �AGAIN, THE ENGLISH TEACHER KNOWS ALL

  • Avoid the treacherous pitfall of the ONE GIANT PARAGRAPH essay.
  • Give your essay an exciting and fitting title.
  • Write your essay in Microsoft word!
    • PRO-TIP: Essays written on your iPhone often lose their formatting when popped into an application.

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PROOFREAD: �DO NOT TRUST YOUR OWN EYEBALLS – THEY LIE!

  • Spellcheck is useful, but it does not cover everything!
  • You need second and third pairs of eyes on this one.
    • PRO-TIP: Get different types of people to look over your essay.
  • Make sure your essay addresses the correct school
    • PRO-TIP: It hurts our feelings when you write to McDaniel all about how you hope to go to Towson. Plus, it makes you look unprofessional!

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WRITING ETIQUETTE:�MIND YOUR MANNERS

  • Begin with a snazzy hook to spark our interest.
  • Include a title.
  • Avoid phrases like “I am going to talk about…” or “Hi my name is….”
  • Remember your audience!
    • PRO-TIP: Often the representatives you meet at college fairs are the same admissions counselors who will read your applications. This means both your writing and your manner of speaking/behaving at fairs matter!

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CONTENT:�IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

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Things Your College Essay IS…

Things Your College Essay IS NOT…

  • A piece of creative writing that tells YOUR story
  • A chance to speak to us about something you love
  • The opportunity to show us your authentic self
  • A resume cover letter
  • An academic explanatory essay
  • A list of all the classes and activities you’ve ever been involved in

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CONTENT:�WHAT CAN MAKE YOU STAND OUT?

Unique Topics

Frequently Used Topics

  • A unique challenge you faced and overcame.
  • A special experience you’ve had.
  • A person who has had a meaningful impact in your life.
  • A problem you see in society and how you feel it can be fixed.
  • A non-academic hobby that you love to pursue.
  • A favorite book/movie/song/story that shaped you.

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  • Sports:

winning the big game

overcoming an injury

making the team

  • Working through anxiety or depression.
  • Your first job.
  • Improving your school performance

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  • PRO-TIP: You CAN write about these topics, just try to approach them from a unique angle!

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QUESTIONS?

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Thank you for coming!

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Katie Ridgway

Assistant Director of Admissions

McDaniel College

410-857-2540

kridgway@mcdaniel.edu

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