I have seen some fantastic potential in your mock essays. You are to be commended! There are a few mock essays still to be submitted in the next week, but then we're past the practice time and down to serious writing.
If for some reason you haven't participated yet, now is the time to start. You need to submit your common application rough draft essay in the next two weeks. I do not want all of them on the last day of that window... July 7th! If you do that to me, I will personally... find... some way to take revenge! :) So, look at your calendar, or better yet, start this weekend, and work on it until you don't know what else to change, and then submit it to me. We'll send essays back and forth, and you may surprise yourself, because it's fun!
Your common application Personal Essay and Short Answer both need to be finished by the end of July. There is also a deadline at the end of August for all long essays, and the end of September and October for all supplements and short answer essays. More information is available here.
But the Common Application Project now... in July... is by far the most important assignment you will do for me. This is where you grow exponentially in your ability to write a good college entrance essay. This is when you get good at it so it will only get easier as the summer turns to fall.
Remember, I work on a "Do Again" vs "Final Approval" basis, so it is difficult for me to tell you how long it will take to finish an essay. Be prompt in your revisions. Make a goal of a 24 hour turn-around! Be willing to work hard and answer tough questions. If I don't specifically say "Final Approval" assume that it's a "Do Again" and work on it, then re-submit.
You are truly fortunate to be doing this in the summer! Let's make it a memorable essay summer... I promise I won't take all your time. Just most of it!
Don't be the person who emails me in November and says "so what am I supposed to do?" I probably won't answer!
Do it now... You won't regret it!
Julie
PS Notice below that there are two common application prompts. The first is the long essay. We shoot for about 500-550 words, and the second is the 150-word-maximum short answer. You may choose to write both essays together, or do one at a time. Whatever you do, both need to be finished by the end of July. You know yourself better than I know you!
Common Application Personal Essay Prompt
This personal statement helps us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. We are looking for an essay that will help us know you better as a person and as a student. Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. Please indicate your topic by checking the appropriate box.
- Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
- Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
- Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
- Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
- A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
- Topic of your choice.
Common Application Short Answer Prompt
Please briefly elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience). Attach your response on a separate sheet (150 words or fewer). --
Julie Gardner
435.723.8262
