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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)

Setting Up Your College Essay: Any Pro-tips?

I'm starting to outline my college essay and wondering if anyone's got tips on how to structure it. Should it be like a story, or more of a traditional essay setup? How do you transition from the intro to the body paragraphs smoothly?

a year ago

Hey there! Awesome that you're getting a head start on your college essay. I'd say think of your essay as a personal narrative rather than a traditional academic essay. You want to share a piece of who you are in a way that's engaging - and storytelling is a fantastic approach! To smoothly transition from the intro to the body paragraphs, consider using a 'hook' at the start. This could be an intriguing statement, an interesting question, or a vivid scene that captures your reader’s attention. As for the body of your essay, each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or moment that contributes to the overall narrative. Making these parts of your story logically flow into each other is key. For example, if your intro describes a pivotal moment of failure, your first body paragraph could explore the lead-up to that moment, the second could delve into the impact it had on you, and the third could showcase how you overcame or learned from the experience. Remember, transitions aren't just phrases like 'Moreover' or 'Consequently'; they're also the seamless weaving of your narrative threads. Good luck!

a year ago

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