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Duke University
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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

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Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Need help with college admission essay

Hey guys, I'm feeling a bit stressed about my college admission essay. Any tips on how I can make it stand out, or does anyone have any examples of successful essays that got them into college? I'd really appreciate any guidance!

10 months ago

Hello! Writing a standout college essay is indeed an essential part of the admissions process. Here are some tips to help you craft an essay that will truly impress:

1. Start early: Give yourself enough time to brainstorm, draft, and revise your essay, and don't be afraid to revise it multiple times.

2. Be authentic: Write about something that genuinely interests you or holds personal meaning. Admissions officers can tell when an essay is forced or insincere.

3. Focus on a specific moment or experience: Instead of covering a broad range of topics, concentrate on a single event, individual, or idea that is significant to your life. This allows for greater depth and personal insight in your writing.

4. Show, don't tell: Use vivid, descriptive language and strong imagery to engage the reader and illustrate the emotions you experienced during the event you're describing.

5. Avoid cliches: Steer clear of overused topics, such as winning a sports championship, struggling with a challenging class, or life as an immigrant. If you choose a familiar subject, make sure your essay brings a unique angle or personal twist to the story.

6. Stay focused and organized: Your essay should be structured with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use smooth transitions to ensure a cohesive narrative.

7. Edit and proofread carefully: Double-check for grammatical errors, awkward phrasings, and inconsistencies. Having someone else review your essay can be invaluable in catching errors you may have missed or suggesting areas for improvement.

Regarding successful essays, although I can't provide specific examples, I encourage you to look at published collections of admissions essays or articles that showcase students' winning submissions. Remember to absorb ideas and inspiration from these essays but avoid replicating them exactly as you want your essay to be uniquely yours.

All the best in crafting your essay, and I'm sure your individual perspective and experiences will shine through!

10 months ago

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