College Application Essay Notes

When researching schools, consider factors such as academic programs, campus culture, location, cost, and available resources like libraries, labs, and support services. Visit the campus if possible to get a feel for the environment and talk to current students and faculty.

Attendance is taken every morning to ensure students are present and engaged in learning activities.
Students arriving more than 15 minutes late must obtain a pass from the office to ensure accountability and minimize disruption to the class.
The instructor maintains a structured learning environment by strictly enforcing class rules.

Focus on being genuine and true to yourself; avoid trying to please everyone and instead showcase your unique voice and perspective.
Essays should be written on Google Docs to facilitate easy sharing, collaboration, and feedback.

Provides additional insight beyond grades and test scores, offering a holistic view of the applicant.
Offers context to your lived experience, allowing admissions committees to understand the circumstances that have shaped you.
- Exceptional grades might be more impressive given certain life circumstances (e.g., financial challenges, personal hardships, or loss).
Enables you to differentiate yourself from other applicants, highlighting your unique qualities and experiences.
- Especially important for selective schools where many applicants have competitive grades and test scores.
Fills in gaps in the application by addressing anything not covered in test scores, grades, extracurricular activities, or letters of recommendation.
Gives schools a sense of whether you are a good fit for their campus by revealing your personality, character, and intellectual abilities.
- Demonstrates how well-crafted and written the essay is, which can provide insight into how well the student will perform academically at the university.

What aspects of my history or background set me apart from other applicants?
How do I define myself, and what are the core values that guide my actions?
How would those closest to me define me, and what qualities would they emphasize?
What achievements prove my character and ambition, showcasing my dedication and drive?
- These achievements don't only need to be from high school; they can be from any point in your life, demonstrating sustained growth and commitment.
How have my experiences, both positive and negative, shaped me into the person I am today?
How do I deal with adversity, and what strategies do I use to overcome challenges?
Am I able to turn every experience into a learning opportunity, demonstrating resilience and adaptability?
- Use specific examples to illustrate this quality, showing rather than just telling the reader.
What major challenges have I encountered, and what valuable lessons did I learn from them?
How do I react to periods of transition, and how do I navigate change and uncertainty?
What inspired me to change my perspective, and how did this shift influence my actions and beliefs?
What moments fundamentally changed me, leaving a lasting impact on my life and worldview?

The personal statement is about you, so focus on your own experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
- If writing about someone else (e.g., a grandparent), ensure the focus remains on how you were affected or what you learned from the experience.
Avoid writing about mission trips unless they are central to your identity and involve sustained commitment, demonstrating a genuine and long-term connection.
- Otherwise, it might seem like you're trying too hard to impress the admissions committee.
Avoid writing solely about sports, as it may limit your ability to showcase other important aspects of your personality and experiences.
- You are capable of sharing more about yourself than just sports; provide a well-rounded view of your interests and passions.
Don't be insulted by suggestions to elaborate; provide additional details and insights to enhance the depth and impact of your essay.
- Explain what you learned from the experience and why it matters to your personal growth and development.
Don't write an “I got cut from the team” essay without discussing what you learned from the experience, highlighting the life lessons and character development that resulted from the setback.

AI can be used as a tool to assist with various tasks, but it should not be used to create the essay for you, as authenticity is key.
AI can be used for:
- Creating a tour list to help plan campus visits and explore different schools.
- Giving us feedback on our writing, providing suggestions for improvement and identifying areas for revision.
- Scaffolding a resume by helping to organize information and highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- Working on timelines to manage deadlines and track progress throughout the application process.
- Editing grammar and spelling, ensuring that the essay is polished and error-free.
AI should not be used to copy and paste content, as this undermines the integrity of the essay and can lead to serious consequences.

A senior had their UC application rescinded because they used AI to generate content, highlighting the potential risks of relying too heavily on AI tools.
Both UC and Common App require certification that the work is your own, emphasizing the importance of academic integrity and ethical conduct.
It is essential to be authentic and genuine in your writing, allowing your unique voice and perspective to shine through.
Schools conduct random checks to verify application information, ensuring that all details provided are accurate and truthful.
AI-generated content can be generic, vague, and cliché, lacking the personal touch and depth that admissions committees look for.
Using AI to generate essay content can lead to rejection, as it compromises the authenticity and originality of the application.

Be cautious about using AI to proofread your own essay, as it may flag it as AI-generated content once it processes the information, potentially raising red flags for admissions committees.
Grammarly is acceptable for grammar recommendations, as it primarily focuses on improving grammar and style rather than generating content.
AI-generated content can hallucinate and pull from other sources without proper attribution, leading to plagiarism and academic dishonesty.
Universities batch-read applications, so AI use can be easily detected, and impact the perception and outcomes of future students from your school, creating a negative reputation for the institution.