Being someone who has written those pain in the a** statements for nearly every university in Chicago…

The schools that don’t give you a topic already KNOW that you want to go to their University because that’s why you’re applying in the first place.

Here’s a few ideas:

1. Write about something you did that profoundly changed your life.

2. Are you involved in organizations like YMCA, Big Brother, or Young Democrats? You can tell a story about something you have done to help others. Universities LOVE those stories.

3. Universities want to know what you can contribute to them, such as, are you ethnically diverse? Do you have a skill that you feel stands out? Is there something in your family history that draws you to a certain field of study?

Make it one page long unless they otherwise tell you differently, and have it proof-read at least 10 times by different people.

Oh, and one mistake I made on one statement that I later found out was a no-no… don’t over glorify yourself and get cocky.

🙂

it always helps to write about something that you are passioniate about. for instance, my mother passed away when I was little. My personal essay was several fond memories that I had of her before she died, and also about her influence on me to the present day. it was something close to my heart that i was passionate about. that’s when you get your best writing. whatever you’re passionate about, or whatever holds a special meaning to you, write about that. I was told also by a college admissions counselor one time that a candidate was accepted who had written an essay on how to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. So the quality of the writing is just as important as the content. Have a teacher help you if you can. Good luck!

Just write about something that has real significance to you. It’s that simple.

Make sure it is well written; have a couple of your teachers read the essay. My counselor told me a certain university had asked her to read 500 essays for them, and score them on a given scale. She had never seen such terrible syntax.

The essay is only used if you are a marginal candidate. UIC mostly uses ACT, GPA and class rank to determine entrance. The average ACT is about a 25, class rank average is about top 25%, and GPA is about 3.3.

You are the topic. Write about yourself.

Talk about what fascinates you, what you want to learn, what goals you might have for the future.

Then have someone smart edit it for you. Secondary education doesn’t help kids learn how to write well anymore.

College is a competitive thing filled with competitive people who want to graduate and become competitive in the world.

So, what makes you so special. This is your chance to say dig me, but say it nicely with flair and style.

Impress me. With an ACTIVE voice not a PASSIVE apologetic voice.

Maybe you can write a narrative about who you are.