Useful tips on how to write a good College Essay

The personal essay is one of the components of the Common Application for college admissions. While it isn’t weighted as heavily as factors such as grades and standardized test scores, your personal essay can indeed make or break your application. A strong essay can set you ahead of students who have similar grades and SAT/ACT scores as you. Likewise, a weak essay can undermine an otherwise stellar application.

The personal essay is a space to showcase your character, personality, and story to admissions officers. It paints a more holistic picture of who you are as a person beyond the stats.

Guidelines

Choose one of the provided Common App essay prompts and respond in 650 words or less. These are the prompts for the 2018-2019 admissions season:

1.      Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2.      The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3.      Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4.      Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5.      Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6.      Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7.      Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Essay Writing Tips

-          Take the time to brainstorm. It may be the case that none of the prompts speak to you immediately. That’s okay. Go through each prompt and jot down some notes on potential topics you can write about for each one. Then narrow it down to a topic on which you have a significant story to tell.

-          Organization is everything. Always outline before you begin writing. Outlining looks different for everyone – find an outlining method that works for you and organize your ideas in a coherent and logical manner.

-          Use concrete examples. It’s not enough to state that you are passionate about environmental issues. Instead, highlight an experience that illustrates how you are passionate about environmental issues. Be specific and detailed in your examples.

-          Analyze, don’t just summarize. Don’t spend the bulk of your essay merely describing an anecdote. You should certainly give an overview of the situation at hand, but the majority of the essay should be spent reflecting on the meaning and impact of the situation, rather than simply summarizing what happened.

-          Use sophisticated vocabulary. Since your essay is used to determine your college readiness, it’s important to utilize college-level vocabulary. That said, make sure you are using these vocabulary words correctly as well!

-          Avoid bragging. Many students use their college essay as little more than a chance to show off one or more of their impressive accomplishments. This is a wasted opportunity. Your essay is a space to demonstrate to colleges that you are a thoughtful and self-aware person who can analyze their experiences from a place of humility. While it’s wonderful that you scored the winning point and led your varsity basketball team to victory, what did you learn from that experience?

-          Proofread, proofread, proofread. Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation are non-negotiable.

-          Get feedback. Give your essay to a few qualified individuals you trust, such as your college counselor or English teacher. Having these additional perspectives will enable you to view your essay more objectively and identify potential areas of improvement you may not have considered on your own. Use the constructive criticism from others to help you revise your essay as you see fit.

Above all, write about what matters to you. If you truly care about the story you are telling, your integrity will demonstrate itself on the page. A genuine, well-crafted personal essay can only strengthen your college application.

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SAT vs ACT: Which one should you take?

The SAT and the ACT are two exams used for college admissions. To get into the vast majority of colleges in the US, you have to submit a score from one of the two exams. Although the SAT is more popular, the ACT is equally valid. While you can certainly take both, it’s worth exploring the two options to see which is the better fit for your abilities.

The SAT

• What’s on it? The SAT consists of a Math section, an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, and an optional Essay section.

• How long is the test? The test is three hours long. If you choose to complete the optional Essay section, the test is three hours and fifty minutes in total.

• How is it scored? The Math section and the Reading and Writing section are each scored on a scale from 200 to 800, giving you a total score out of 1600. If you write the Essay, you receive a separate score for that.

The ACT

• What’s on it? The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. It also includes an optional Writing Test.

• How long is the test? The test is 2 hours and 55 minutes long. If you choose to take the Writing Test, the test is three hours and thirty-five minutes long in total.

• How is it scored? Each section is scored on a scale from 1 to 36, giving you a composite score that is also on a scale from 1 to 36. You receive a separate score for the optional Writing Test.

Which test should I take?

The first step in choosing the right test is to take a practice test for each one. Take both an SAT practice test and an ACT practice test, and compare your scores. That being said, there are several key factors that may encourage you to choose one test over another.

Why you might choose to take the SAT:

1. You get anxious about time constraints. The ACT gives you far less time per question than the SAT on every section, making it feel more like a race against time.

2. You can write an excellent analytical essay. The optional SAT Essay asks you to read and analyze an author’s argument. If evidence-based analytical writing is one of your strengths, this may be the test for you.

3. You prefer reading questions to appear in chronological order. On the SAT, reading questions are organized in the order they appear in the passage. ACT reading questions, on the other hand, are not organized in passage-based chronological order.

4. You are comfortable with grid-in math questions. The SAT contains several math questions where you have to produce your own answer instead of selecting one of the assigned choices. The SAT might be the right option if you’re okay with solving math problems that are not multiple-choice.

5. You have a strong grasp on vocabulary. Generally, the SAT Reading and Writing sections contain more challenging, higher-order vocabulary than the ACT English and Reading sections.

Why you might choose to take the ACT:

1. You are comfortable with science. Unlike the SAT, the ACT features a science section. Consider taking the ACT if you like and excel in analyzing graphs and experimental hypotheses and results.

2. You are comfortable with geometry and trigonometry. ACT math includes a much higher proportion of geometry questions than SAT math, and a slightly higher proportion of trigonometry questions as well.

3. You can write an excellent opinion-based essay. Unlike the SAT Essay in which you analyze an argument, the ACT Writing Test asks you to produce your own argument. That is, you must state your opinion on a topic, and provide examples to support it.

4. You don’t mind memorizing math formulas. Unlike the SAT, the ACT does not provide a diagram of formulas for the Math section, which means all essential formulas need to be memorized.

5. You are not comfortable doing math without a calculator. While the SAT contains a No Calculator math section, you can use a calculator for all ACT math questions. 

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What colleges look at: The importance of taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program that allows you to take college-level courses while still in high school. At the end of each AP class, you can take the corresponding AP exam and potentially earn college credit for the class.

There are 38 AP exams in total, but the number of AP exams offered varies from school to school. Many high schools do not offer any AP classes or exams at all.

When choosing a high school to attend, it’s important to consider whether AP classes and exams are offered, and if so, which ones.

Without further ado, the 3 biggest reasons why you should take APs are:

1.      They prepare you for college. AP classes generally function like introductory-level college courses. In other words, they’re designed to be more challenging than your average high school classes.

For instance, AP US History is a lot more analytical than the standard Regents US History offered at most NYC high schools. The AP version goes further than what happened in American history – it puts a lot more emphasis on the how and why, and focuses on broader themes. Classes like this can help you get accustomed to the type of analytical thinking that is regularly expected of you in college-level work.

2.      You can earn college credit. If you get an adequate score on an AP exam, many colleges will offer you credit in that subject. (An adequate score generally means at least a 3 or 4, depending on the school.)

In many cases, earning college credit for AP’s will exempt you from taking certain introductory courses in college. For example, a sufficient score on one of the AP Calculus exams may allow you to skip entry-level Calculus in college and go straight into a more advanced math course instead.

 3.      You’ll have an edge in college admissions. If your high school offers AP classes and exams, colleges will pay attention to whether you took advantage of them.

Taking AP classes and doing well on the corresponding AP exams shows colleges that you are motivated, capable, and ready for college-level academic work. AP classes and exam scores strengthen your college application and make you a more favorable candidate.

Overall, AP classes enrich your high school academic experience and challenge you to think more critically. At the same time, they give you a head start in your college career by offering college credit and letting you place out of introductory courses.

If you’re applying to high schools right now, pay close attention to the AP offerings at your prospective schools. Do they offer any AP classes at all? If so, do they offer AP classes you may want to take in particular, based on your interests and potential career goals?

If you’re in high school at the moment, plan ahead with regards to which AP classes and exams you intend to take and when. And of course, diligent studying and test prep will help you do well in these challenging classes, and achieve your desired scores on the exams!

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SAT Subject Tests Breakdown: Which ones should I take?

The SAT Subject Tests are standardized tests given by the College Board on individual academic subjects.

Here are your options for the SAT Subject Tests:

• Math: Level 1, Level 2

• Science: Chemistry, Physics, Biology (Ecological/Molecular)

• English: Literature

• History: US History, World History

• Language: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Modern Hebrew, Latin, Spanish with Listening, French with Listening, German with Listening, Chinese with Listening, Korean with Listening, Japanese with Listening

Why take SAT Subject Tests?

There are a number of reasons to take SAT Subject Tests, one being that many selective colleges require them. In many cases you are expected to submit two Subject Test scores, in addition to your SAT or ACT score. Subject Tests are also a great way to highlight your academic strengths and showcase your competence in a subject. They can also be used to signal your interest and commitment to a specific college major/program. For instance, if you’re applying to programs in engineering, you should emphasize your strengths in math and science. In that case, a good idea would be to take the Math Level 2 test, as well as a science test such as Chemistry or Physics.

Which SAT Subject Tests should I take?

When deciding which SAT Subject Tests to take, consider which academic subjects you excel in and are most comfortable with. Take the tests in which you’re confident about getting a good score! In addition, you can choose your tests according to what you want to major in. Here are some Subject Test recommendations based on your intended major or career track:

• Engineering/computer science: Math Level 2, Physics

• Pre-med: Biology, Chemistry, Math Level 1 or 2

• Pre-law: English Literature, US History, World History

• Finance/business: Math Level 1 or 2

• Humanities: English Literature, US History, World History, any Language test

If you’re unsure about your prospective major, you can choose your tests based on the general area of study you may be interested in. It’s also wise to take a careful look at the admissions requirements of the colleges and specific programs you are interested in applying to – several colleges ask that you submit at least one score from a humanities test (e.g. Literature, World History) and one from a math/science test (e.g. Math Level 2, Chemistry). Specific programs within schools can also have their own special requirements.

Should I take science Subject Tests if I’ve taken the ACT?

While the ACT contains a science section, this is not meant to serve as a substitute for the science Subject Tests. The ACT science section assesses your general ability to think scientifically, rather than the specific content of your scientific knowledge. If you want to showcase your specialized knowledge in a science subject, you should take one or more of the Subject Tests in Chemistry, Physics, or Biology – even if you have taken the ACT and scored well on the science section.

SAT Subject Tests are an additional component of your college application that illustrate your skills and interests. Whether they are recommended or required by the colleges you’d like to apply to, it’s worthwhile to prepare for and take at least two Subject Tests to strengthen your college application.

What is considered a good score on the SAT Subject Tests?

In general, a good score on the SAT subject test would be anything above a 700. However, each subject test has a different average score.  For example, the average score for the Math Level II SAT subject test is 694. It’s not enough to just be above average though. We encourage that you try your best and shoot for a perfect score. That’s why, as we stated earlier, it is important that you choose subject tests that complement your strengths. The higher the score, the better.

You should also set a target score for yourself. Your target score will depend on which colleges you are interested in applying to. Research what the average SAT subject test scores are for those colleges and aim to get a much higher score than the average.

If you want statistics on the SAT subject tests, check out this article from PrepScholar. 

How should you study for the SAT Subject Tests?

 As with any standardized exam, it is recommended that you start preparing several months beforehand, if not longer. The SAT and ACT are two major exams that you should start studying for during the summer of your sophomore year going into junior year. Continue studying throughout your junior year and eventually take your first exam in the winter or spring. This way if you aren’t happy with your score the first time around, you can take it again in the fall of your senior year. Generally, we don’t recommend taking the SAT or ACT more than three times.

Give yourself ample amount of time to study and get the material down. The same applies to your subject tests. However, you don’t need to study for the tests over the span of a year. You can start studying for the test 2-3 months in advance. First take a diagnostic exam to see where you stand. Your study schedule will depend on what your score is.

Choosing a subject test that complements your strengths, a good workbook, and self-studying should be enough for you to do well on the exam. However, if you feel that you can’t grasp the concepts, finding a tutor is always an option. Synergy Prep also has a great course on SAT and SAT subject tests that you can check out here. 

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