Preparing Application Essays
The application essay is your only opportunity to speak about
yourself. Your essay should show that you have ideas, are
able to think logically, and can express yourself clearly
with economy and elegance.
Get Organized
Clear writing is the result of clear thinking. The first
and most important task is to decide what you want to say.
This is a short essay. You must be highly selective. Consider
carefully which two or, at most, three points you wish to
impress upon the reader. Remember the nature of your audience.
It is composed of people who are probably as intelligent as
you are, well educated, and vastly experienced in this work.
Do not try to fool or second guess your reader; you will seem
silly if you do. Decide which aspects of yourself you wish
to present and then stick to those few points. The organization
of your piece will reflect the organization of your thinking.
Each paragraph should deal with one main idea; each sentence
should lead naturally to the next. The logical flow of ideas
should be clear, with movement and progression from one sentence
to the next throughout the piece.
Refining,
Simplifying, and Polishing
When you have written a first draft, start the work of refining,
simplifying, and polishing. Do you say exactly what you mean
and mean exactly what you say? Is any section, sentence, or
word superfluous, ambiguous, apologetic, or awkward? Are your
verbs strong and active? Have you removed most of the qualifiers?
Are you sure that each activity or interest you mention supports
one of your main ideas? Remember that the reader has a record
of your activities and your transcript readily at hand. Do
not duplicate information. Do not apologize. Do not inflate
your accomplishments. Do not bore your reader by whining.
You are writing as an adult who wishes to join a community.
You must write as an adult, a peer, and potential member.
Neatness Counts
At this point you are the application. Correctness and style
are vital. Neatness counts. Keep uniform margins; you do not
wish to create a crowded impression. Check and recheck spelling,
subject-verb agreement, and syntax. Your thoroughness demonstrates
that you have learned and mastered the language and that your
future peers will not be troubled by illiteracy or sloppiness.
Resources
The technical aspects of essay writing are important. Outstanding
books to consult are: On Writing Well, William Zinsser, Harper
and Row; Chicago Manual of Style, University of Chicago; Elements
of Style, Strunk and White, Macmillan (on-line version); Graduate Admission
Essays: What Works, What Doesn't and Why, Donald Asher, Ten
Speed Press.
You are a serious student and a thoughtful and interesting
person. You have enjoyed a splendid undergraduate education
and will be an asset to your graduate program and to your
chosen profession. A beautifully prepared essay will confirm
this.
For assistance with writing your application essay, consult
with the writing tutor in your residential college.
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