Essays for university applications

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the expectations for university application essays, particularly focusing on how to effectively convey personal experiences and growth through writing. Participants share strategies and tips for crafting essays that reflect individuality and resilience.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about general expectations for university application essays, specifically regarding the expression of personal hobbies and lessons learned.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of showcasing one's voice in the essay, suggesting that applicants should aim to present themselves authentically rather than merely listing achievements.
  • It is noted that admissions committees look for indications of personal growth and the ability to handle challenges, alongside the technical aspects of writing such as spelling and grammar.
  • A suggestion is made to adopt a "show vs tell" approach in writing, encouraging applicants to illustrate their experiences vividly.
  • A participant expresses gratitude for the advice and indicates they will consider the points raised in their writing process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of authenticity and personal growth in application essays, though specific strategies and interpretations of these concepts may vary.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the audience and context of the essays are present, such as the focus on undergraduate applications in the United States and the significance of language proficiency for non-native speakers.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals preparing university application essays, particularly non-native English speakers seeking guidance on effective writing strategies.

crazco
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what do they generally look for? i need to write about how one of my hobbies and what i learned from it. english is not my first language so any tips and strategy could be useful.
 
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Im going to assume that you are applying to an undergraduate university in the United States.

One big thing that they want to hear is your voice. They want to get a sense of who you really are. Dont just rattle off your gpa and extracirriculars, they already know this stuff from your application. Try to get in something that makes you feel real rather just some name on a paper. One big thing that I was always taught was this "show vs tell" mentality. You do not simply want to your essay to tell them what your life is like, you want to show them. For instance, as opposed to "I have always been interested in outerspace. Because of this, I like to look at the stars at night" you want something like "As I laid on my lawn, looking into the endless abyss that is outerspace I could not help but wonder..."
 
DR13 said:
They want to get a sense of who you really are
They also tend to want to see growth and struggle and all that shiny stuff, 'cause they want some indications that you don't break when things get hard. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar also count, so get your essays proofread.
 
thank you, i will consider those points when i write!
 

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