Building Blocks

​Students are usually required to submit their (1) SAT and/or other standardized test scores (such as TOEFL), (2) GPA, (3) personal essay and (4) recommendation letters for their College Applications. Some colleges may not require a recommendation letter or a SAT score, check the institution of your choice!

About your Personal Essay

Personal Essays are valued more than your SATs!
​Take time to write and edit, edit, and edit!! This applies to your essays you submit for regular classes as well :)

What makes a Good Essay - Guidelines

Think about the following when writing your personal essay:
  • Describe the personality that reveals itself through the essay
  • In what ways does the applicant reveal maturity, intelligence, trustworthiness or any other characteristic needed for university life?
  • Does the essay have a clear concept or theme? What is it?
  • In what ways has this essay made you curious about the applicant?

Helpful Tips

Things to Avoid
  • Answer the question
  • Understand the purpose of the essay
  • Tell a story but SHOW don’t just tell
  • Tell it in YOUR voice
  • REFLECT on the meaning of the story
  • Write, rewrite, PROOFREAD, and edit. This applies to all your essays, not just the long ones!
  • Adhere closely to suggested length
  • Avoid resume in prose
  • Avoid writing an entire essay about shortcomings
  • Avoid attempting a writing style you aren’t comfortable, such as sarcasm, humor, etc.
  • Avoid trying to cover too much
  • Avoid clichés and vague language
  • Avoid fancy or philosophical topics

About your Recommendation Letter

​Colleges cannot know who you are with grades alone. Recommendation letters help colleges have a feeling who you are in person. Ask your teachers for a recommendation letter well in advance! Asking last minute will be stressful you and the teacher. Best case scenario, ask your teacher and counselor at least two months in advance! It’s best to ask teachers who know you well to write your recommendation letter.
Sharing answers to the following questions may help teachers write a recommendation letter for you:

Personality:
  • What two adjectives best describe you?
  • What do you consider some of your greatest strengths and how did you come to realize them?
Outside classroom settings:
  • What extracurricular activities have you been involved in? What achievements have you accomplished?
  • Have you had any experience in a leadership position? If so, what did you learn from your experience?
  • Have you served your community/had any volunteer experience? If so, which of those was most memorable/meaningful and why?
Background
  • Are there any special circumstances, living situations and/or relevant family aspects that have had a significant impact on your personal or academic life?
  • Are there any challenges you have faced and overcome that you would want someone to know? Be sure to include what you learned from the experience.
Future Plan
  • Why is a college education important to you?
  • What are some of your long-term academic goals and what do you intend to study?
  • Where do you foresee yourself in the next five years?

Providing a resume may also help teachers!