Why EssayOverview and Revision

College Essays There are typically two main essays types that you will

write

• Personal statement• Discuss who you are and what makes you unique

• Supplement essays• Specific topics that colleges select for admission

Common Supplement Essay prompts

• Why do you want to go to OUR UNIVERSITY?

• Why are you a “good match” for OUR UNIVERSITY?

• What is it that you like the best about OUR UNIVERSITY?

• How will you contribute to OUR UNIVERSITY?

• Why do you want to study “X” at OUR UNIVERSITY?

Parts to these supplement essay prompts

Why you? Why college “x”

Our scholar’s job is show how and why they fit together

Creating goals

Additional Goals

Stepping-stones toward accomplishing your main goal. Also, these can be additional goals that will enhance your college experience.

Provide you with the big picture for your life. It should be something you want to accomplish during your college experience or at the end of your college experience.

Main goal

Example

Main goal

Become a forensic scientist.

Additional Goals

• Attend a 4-year college.• Participate in undergraduate

research.• Join an intermural soccer team• Get a summer internship with the

CIA.• Participate in a study abroad

program (hopefully focused on my major)

• Major in forensic science.• Attend graduate school.• Get my Masters in forensic

science

Class Size

Research Opportunities

Location

Professors + Class ProfileClubs

Select specific data that aligns to your goals to make a connection

Dartmouth 1,117 Hanover, NHRural

* Over 75 research centers and institutes* Women in Science Project for first year students that provides mentoring and hands-on research opportunities

* Around 350 clubs* Diversity Peer Leadership Program that focuses on promoting awareness about diversity and social justice issues.

• 98% retention for sophomore year

• 10% first generation

• 47% students of color

• 8:1 student to faculty ratio

Answered questions to create their draft for the “Why Essay”

Reading for content Other items to identify

◦ Name of institution◦ 3 goals◦ Specific example of how the campus aligns to

goal◦ Why each goal is important to the student

Focus

Thank the student for sharing their essay with you

1-3 take away items that you learned about the student by reading his/her essay

Feedback: How to start

Identify the paragraph Identify the topic Specific feedback about the paragraph

◦ Did the student identify her goal clearly◦ Did the student provide specific information about

the institution and how it tied to the goal◦ Was there a clear focus/topic for that particular

paragraph◦ What additional information should the student

include

Feedback: Specific to each paragraph

Provide a list of action items for the student to take to improve their essay◦ Research and incorporate more information about

____________◦ Include an additional goal that ties into your

career and/or college experience◦ Include more information in paragraph – about ---◦ Include information about why ---- is important to

you and why this will enrich your college experience

Feedback: Next Steps