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Four Tips for Nailing Your Admissions Essay

Essay Time (Rousseau and Women): My desk at th...

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Brace yourselves: it’s time to write your dreaded admissions essay. Don’t treat your admissions essay lightly. Your essay is one of the biggest ways colleges look at you, your writing ability, and your creativity. Use it like an extension of you: give them a glimpse of who you are! Here are some tips for knocking that admissions essay out of the park.

  1. Use Active Voice.
    Don’t look so puzzled– you took four years of English, right? Active voice simply means the subject is doing the action. Say, “I played the lead role in Annie Get Your Gun,” not “The lead role in Annie Get Your Gun was performed by me.”
  2. Use Concrete Nouns.
    The key to good writing? More nouns, less adjectives. Pack your essay full of specific nouns. Don’t say “tree” when you mean “dogwood.” Don’t say “car” when you mean “1967 Mustang.” This will paint a much clearer picture for the admissions readers.
  3. Use Strong Verbs.
    You don’t want your essay to read like a Dick and Jane book. “See Student. See Student Excel at Academics. Excel, Student, Excel!” Pick verbs that pack a punch. At a loss for words? Check out this list for a wealth of strong, active verbs.
  4. Outline, Outline, Outline.
    Think you can sit down and write your essay out on the fly? Think again. Define a strong structure for your essay before you write it. An outline will give you a solid road map to follow as you write. Whatever you do, do not skip this step.

 

 

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Choosing A Major

When choosing a major it is important to seek out the specific details of that major so that you are aware of what you are getting into. Many students get excited about a particular field of study, then realize that once they are in the program, they really do not like it, or are surprised by what is involved with the program. This can be stressful, and expensive as many students have prepared for one program, find that they do not like it, and have to start over in some cases with their pre-requisites. Do not be like so many that simply look at the pictures or brochures and then feel like all their questions have been asked. This is a painfully long step to have to correct for many.

The best thing that can be done when investigating a new field of study is to research. Take the time to see if this is something you would like to do, or have in your life. Then, interview people who are already in that area of study, or find basic entry level employment. This will give you a first hand look on whether or not you could do this job, or be in this particular profession, for years to come. This will also get you a step in the right direction if you do like the field because you will begin to make long lasting and beneficial connections that could prove to be very helpful later on during your career.

The other thing to investigate is looking into other careers that might be of interest. It is good to rule out any other options before settling on one because you will feel more confident with your decision, and have less doubt when you complete your program. There is nothing worse than leaving a four year school and wondering “what if?” Make sure that you look into all of your options, meet with academic counselors, and take the time to figure out what is best for you.

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Navigating Online Schooling

Choosing the best online school can be difficult. Because you know the wrong choice can cost you in both time and money, you want to get it right the first time! Let’s take a look at a few good ways to make your decision:

Ask Others

Just like choosing a traditional college, asking current students or graduates about their experiences can give you the best information. Ask them if the classes were useful, if the online system was reliable, and how the testing process worked.

Talk About it with Your Parents

Although you think your parents don’t know anything, they actually know a lot! Tell them about your plans. They may be able to offer advice about which degrees are in demand, and they may even know someone in the business or professional community who attended an online college.

Budget Your Time and Money

While you’re searching for an online school, find out how much time will be involved and the tuition rates. If you’re working your way through school, this is important information to know. You may have to save up to afford the program you’re interested in, and carefully watch your time once you enroll. It can mean that you have to work less so that you can study more! While you’re at it, remember that all degree programs won’t pay off in the same way. A high-tech degree, for example, generally delivers a higher-paying job than a History degree. While you want to enjoy your program, keep your ultimate goal in mind!

Use Online Sites for Easy Research

To make your research efforts as easy as possible, use online sites line earnmydegree.com. They can help you find a program for the degree you’re looking for in the shortest amount of time. You can also trust in the information you find there because they’ve already checked out each school’s qualifications.

Before making your final choice, examine every aspect of an online education.

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