Posts by lauradoodle

lauradoodle

Nov 27, 2011

Undergraduate / How to write a Common App personal essay regarding my time at a British school? [3]

I'm an American who went to a British boarding/day school and am wondering how I should effectively write my common app personal essay? Should it be like a narrative, going from my first day to my last day at that school? Or should it highlight certain aspects or anecdotes that show growth in my character? Should it include detailed, descriptive, and creative language or should it be more formal. It is okay to add quotes (not that famous people have said, but that my friends or someone at the school said to me)? Is it okay to have contractions (can't, don't, etc)? Also, this experience happened during middle school, not high school. Is that okay to do for a college admissions essay? Thank you for your help!

lauradoodle

Nov 27, 2011

Undergraduate / 'ASB President' - extracurricular activities or work experience [2]

This is definitely a good start. However, I think you should maybe use more descriptive language to make it more engaging. Right now, it seems like it is more of a list of what you did, not how you felt about it or what you learned and how you grew or changed as a person, which is really what you want to highlight. You say you are learning what it takes to be a great leader, but what exactly does it take? There is a little too much vague language, but with a little more work...it will be spot on! Good luck!