Hey guys! I'm a junior starting to work on my college applications and I'm struggling with ideas for my University of Florida (UF) application essay. Any advice or tips on what they're looking for? Thanks in advance!
Hey there! It's exciting that you're working on your University of Florida application. When it comes to your essay, UF values unique perspectives and personal growth, so think about experiences, traits, or values that highlight who you are as an individual. For in-depth advice on tackling all the UF prompts, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-florida-essays
To start brainstorming essay ideas, here are a few tips:
1. Reflect on your life: Look for moments when you faced a challenge, learned a valuable lesson, or discovered something meaningful about yourself. These stories can show your resilience, character, and growth.
2. Consider your passions and interests: Write about hobbies, extracurricular activities, or subjects that truly excite you. Passionate essays can demonstrate your authentic commitment to something, as well as offer some insights into your personality.
3. Identify a "spike": Instead of trying to be well rounded, focus on something you excel at or are known for. Highlighting a specific talent, skill, or achievement can make your essay stand out and showcase what makes you unique.
4. Think deeply about your values: Write about an experience or event that allowed you to explore, understand, or develop core values or beliefs. These essays show your depth of thought and introspection, which can be very engaging to readers.
While UF's essay prompt might have some specific asks, make sure you address them in a way that also aligns with one of these tips. Remember to be genuine and honest in your writing, and try to convey your individuality and personal growth. Keep in mind that your essay should complement the rest of your application, so don't simply rehash the info in your resume or transcript. Good luck with your application, and I hope these tips help inspire some great essay ideas!
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