 F
E A T U R E A R T I C L E
Choosing an effective essay topic |
|
Are you one of the many students around the world who are applying to a college or study abroad program in the United States? Chances are that you'll have to write an essay, or two, or more. Many people find writing to be a difficult task, but the essay, or personal statement, should be looked at as an opportunity to personalize your application. It is a tool for demonstrating to the admissions committee why you are unique, so you can distinguish yourself from the thousands of other well-qualified candidates. Plan to spend a good deal of time brainstorming, writing, and editing, as composing an effective essay is a time-intensive, multi-stage task. Choosing an effective topic is the first, critical step in this process.
Make it personal
Personal statements are usually based on a general question: for example, you may be asked to explain why you would like to participate in the program. The vague nature of the question makes it difficult to answer. Many students make the mistake of writing an equally vague response, one that they think program administrators will like. So what happens? The application reviewers often struggle with boredom as they read through piles of similar, clichˇ-ridden paragraphs. If you write, "I hope to attend California University because education is very important to my success in the future," you convey the same message as all of the other applicants, and the reader is likely to skim and quickly forget your essay. There isn't anything wrong with that answer; it just doesn't tell anything about YOU. Anyone could have written it, and your opportunity to impress the admissions committee is lost.
Brainstorm options
The successful approach to essay writing takes into account your purpose: impressing the intended audience to gain entrance into the program. The target audience, of course, is the program admissions staff. Your goal is to introduce yourself, while emphasizing your strengths, dreams, and potential to contribute to the school. Any theme you choose must accomplish this goal.
Take some time to think about your background and personality - whatever qualities make you well suited to the program to which you're applying. Spend a few days simply jotting down possible subjects. Even seemingly mundane or trivial issues can often be very revealing. Discussing a conversation with your grandmother or a day at your part-time job would actually be very interesting if there were personal details and a valuable lesson learned. Your cultural background can also make a good topic if you can relate it to the shaping of your character and goals. Keeping in mind the required question, consider the following:
- What are your hobbies and interests?
- Who do you look up to?
- Have you ever faced a big challenge?
- How did you overcome a difficult situation?
- What have you learned in your travels?
- Describe a fascinating experience and the effect it had on you.
- Talk about an important relationship you had and the insight you gained from it.
- Explain how you came to a big decision.
Select a theme that works
The best choice is a topic that enables you to illustrate your abilities and potential, rather than merely tell about yourself with empty generalizations. Find a main idea that can be supported with examples or a story. For example, the required question may ask you to describe an educational experience that has shaped your academic goals. Anyone can claim that "education is important for success." A more effective strategy is to demonstrate how a lesson your junior high school teacher taught you has impacted your life and made you stronger or better. Perhaps you want to highlight your compassion for others. Your subject might then focus on describing some memorable volunteer work you have done for a charity or children's group, and the effect that experience had on you.
The proof is in the details
Again, the point is that the topic you choose has to communicate to a group of strangers that you are an interesting person who would contribute to the richness and diversity of the campus environment. Think about what makes meeting new people so enjoyable - you get to know each other by sharing the stories and details of your lives. Therefore you should develop a theme through which you can share significant and relevant information about yourself. It is also important that your writing is authentic. When asked what made application essays appealing, a former Cornell University MBA admissions essay reader said, "it shouldn't seem manufactured. I look for honesty and individuality to come through." There is no need to concoct a false persona to try to seem more impressive.
An effective topic jumpstarts the writing process
Selecting a focused main idea will make it easier for you to actually write the essay. It will help you organize your thoughts and judge the relevance of the specific details that you plan to include. The stakes are high, and a coherent and insightful presentation can truly make a difference in the way your application is evaluated.
By Susan Ernenwein and Alice Hoover
Click here for more articles about study and travel abroad!
|
 |
