As the summer winds down and college applications loom, it's time to start thinking about your college admissions essay. One of the popular choices on the Common Application asks students to write about a significant experience: "Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you."
This option has a few potential pitfalls. For one, it's easy to start bragging about an accomplishment, yet few admissions officers are going to be excited about welcoming a braggart to their campus community. Also, it's common for applicants to spend too much time describing the experience, and not enough time exploring its "impact on you." Remember, the essay's main purpose is to reveal your character to the college.
To learn more, read all 5 tips for an admissions essay on a significant experience. Also check out Drew's essay in which he explores an ethical dilemma he faced.
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Comments
Very timely topic! Great essays really do reveal a student’s inner character. Here are our additional tips for great college admissions essays: http://www.aristotlecircle.com/blog/making-most-your-500-word-essay