What's up fellow high school juniors? I'm working on my Harvard entrance essay and I'm feeling a bit lost. Does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to make my essay stand out? All suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!
Hey there! It's always exciting to work on your college essays, especially for a top school like Harvard. To help your essay stand out, I have a few suggestions:
1. Choose a unique topic: Avoid cliché topics like sports injuries, moving, or the typical immigrant story. You want to find something that reflects your personality and allows the admissions officers to gain insight into who you are as an individual.
2. Emphasize personal growth: A great essay often showcases personal development. Consider writing about a challenging experience you've faced and how you overcame it, or a pivotal moment that led to self-discovery.
3. Be genuine: Instead of trying to impress the admissions officers with what you think they want to read, be true to yourself. Share your authentic thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
4. Focus on specific details: By giving vivid examples, you'll make your essay memorable and more engaging. Instead of including general statements, provide concrete details to paint a clear picture of your story.
5. Avoid using fancy vocabulary: Your essay should be well-written, but using needlessly complex words can make it sound pretentious. Write in a natural voice that demonstrates your intellect without overwhelming the reader.
6. Integrate a narrative structure: To make your essay more engaging, consider telling it as a story. By employing a narrative structure with a beginning, middle, and end, you'll create a smooth and compelling flow.
7. Edit and revise: To ensure your essay is well-structured and polished, take the time to revise it multiple times. You might also want to have a trusted friend, teacher, or mentor review it to provide feedback and suggestions.
Also, check out this CollegeVine article for more tips on writing the Harvard admissions supplements: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays
Remember, the admissions officers want to learn about who you are and what makes you unique. By sharing your passion, growth, and resilience through a well-written, authentic essay, you'll have a strong chance of standing out. Best of luck!
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