When it comes to college applications, bad school grades don’t really instantly become disadvantages. You may have failed in some math subjects or maybe physical education – but you can try not to fret for now. There is a way for you to “transcend” these bad grades. It is through your application essays.
Most colleges and universities will require you to write application essays that include your personal statement or statement of purpose. This is a way for the college admissions board to get to know you better. They want to see beyond your grades. Of course, you will need to have passed your SAT and/ or ACT – these are general standards of learning. They are very different from say, the boring math teacher you seldom attended. So in case you have failing grades in your school records, you can maximize the personal statement or statement of purpose in your application essays to “justify” these failing records.
Many people now are aware of the right-brained/ left-brained theory. This theory says that people can often be classified as right-brained or left-brained. Right-brained people are random, intuitive, subjective and holistic. These traits are very typical of the artistic types, those you’d see in the hallways of the arts building. Left-brained people are logical, sequential and rational. They are most probably in the math, sciences and business halls of your university.
Having said this, you can draft the personal statement or statement of purpose in your application essays such that you explain your bad grades in terms of right-brain/ left-brain. If you failed in math, you can say you were really more interested in writing the poem for English class or in that art project you started to work on. If you failed in physical education, you can say that you find it more interesting mulling over the algorithm shown to you in math class just an hour ago. This way, you do not deny your failure in some subjects in the application essay. But, you get to explain it and highlight your real interests. Not everyone can be good t solving algorithms, just as not everyone can write well or paint a masterpiece.
This highlights the importance of the application essays and the personal statement or statement of purpose that you put in them. You should not brush aside the application essays because these can buoy your towards acceptance in the college or university of your choice. You really need to think of what you say in it, and how you say it. For a quick peek at how it should be, check out our free college admission essays. These free college admission essays can give you a guide on how to draft your own. Likewise, you can read these free college admission essays and learn some powerful snippets you can use on your own.
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When you apply to a university or college, you will most probably be asked to draft an essay or two stating your personal statement or statement of purpose. The idea here is for the Admissions Board to get to know you through your application essays, without requiring you to come over for an interview. It takes more than good high school grades to get into your university or college of choice. You also have to have something to offer in terms of your personality, experience and attitude. These are important factors to look at for university or college admissions. These can determine how you will cope with the typical pressure of college life.
Thus, it is important for your personality to stand out in the personal statement or statement of purpose that you include in your application essays. You need to make a quick good impression through your words. For a sample of good application essays, check out our free college admission essays. These free college admission essays are written to highlight an applicant’s “choice” personalities. Check out these free college admission essays to see how it should be done.
Here are some tips on writing your personal statement or statement of purpose for your college admission essays:
1.Jot down what you want the college or university admissions board to know most about you. Keep these down to two or three. You would not want to bog your readers down with too much info. Just list down your strongest points. Make sure that the personality traits you choose will “sell” you to the college admissions board. You cannot just say you are nice and kind because a lot of people are nice and kind. The purpose of your personal statement or statement of purpose is to show that you are a cut above the other potential students. This means that you are aware and open to more learning, diversity and the pressures that are typical of university life. You need to choose personality traits that will “match” the requisite personality of one who is open and aware. Examples here include: “Innovative,” “Quick to Learn,” “Mature,” and “Resilient.”
2.Next, recall instances when these personality traits were highlighted. You would need to give illuminating examples of your “personality at work” for your college application essays. You need to have the college admissions board actually imagine you being this or that kind of person. You need to make them see through your personal statement or statement of purpose in your application essays.
3.Include actual involvements in your examples. These will most likely be verifiable against your application form, which asks details on school and extracurricular activities. Nothing can beat a rundown of your typical day in exemplifying certain traits of yours. By listing involvements like cheer leading, Salvation Army volunteer and the like in your application essays, you begin to transcend beyond what you say about your self (item 1) and the instances you describe (item 2). Your actual involvements make you more real and more true to what you say.
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To help you hunt online for the top 20 universities, listed in the table are some of the schools and links to their sites, admissions requirements and processes. These schools admit students with cumulative scores near 100. Here are top 20 colleges and universities in the US today and the links to their admissions policies.
1. Princeton University – http://www.princeton.edu/pr/admissions/u/appl/
2. Harvard University – http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/index.html
3. Yale University – http://www.yale.edu/admit/freshmen/application/index.html
4. Stanford University – http://admission.stanford.edu/
5. University of Pennsylvania – http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/incoming.php
6. California Institute of Technology – http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/applying
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – https://www.applyweb.com/apply/mitg/
8. Duke University – https://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/
9. Columbia University – http://www.columbia.edu/prospective_students/index.html
10. University of Chicago – http://www.uchicago.edu/admissions/
11. Dartmouth College – http://www.dartmouth.edu/apply/admissions/
12. Washington University in St. Louis – http://admissions.wustl.edu/Pages/default.aspx
13. Cornell University – http://admissions.cornell.edu/apply/
14. Brown University – http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Admission/
15. Northwestern University – http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/freshman/applying/
16. Johns Hopkins University – http://www.jhu.edu/admis/apply/application.html
17. Rice University – http://futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Rice_Baylor_FAQs.asp
18. Emory University – http://www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/admission-aid/the-application.htm
19. Vanderbilt University – http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/applyFAQ3.php
20. University of Notre Dame – http://admissions.nd.edu/admission-and-application/prospective-first-year-students/online-application
Having a very high passing rate would mean very competitive screening process and for applicants to excel inevitably in their preparation. This would be very crucial in order to narrow down chances of being rejected and increase admission probability.
A quick look at the admissions requirements of the schools would require you to prepare and submit a personal essay. To help you prepare your admission essay, various consultancy groups and individuals extend their hand to a free college admissions essays.
These universities and institutions are renowned worldwide with their focus on teaching and research brought about by academic excellence, persistent students and outstanding faculty members. Several members of the alumni community and faculty of these schools have won Nobel Prizes and Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur Fellows, Founders, presiding Justices of the Supreme Court, politicians, scientists, artists, physicians, athletes and other positions in respectable professions.
Which ever school you choose, you must have to make the best of what you have and always remember this is your stepping stone towards creating a successful career!
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Every student bound for college is looking for free college admissions essays so they can use these essays as a guide for writing their own admission essays. This search can be very challenging because the college admissions essays found online have to be the right reference. For the essay to become a model, it must deal in particular with the right reasons, at least the top 5, why you are very keen and interested to get admitted into college.
Here are some of the top 5 WRONG REASONS to step into college:
1. BECAUSE MY PARENTS WENT TO COLLEGE
What would the use of this reason articulate? That you are not interested to go to college but it is just because your parents did. The Admissions Committee in college schools would immediately decide not to enlist you with this weak reasoning. Having said this, it is more likely that you will get admitted and pass through college if it is your own strong desire to enroll in college.
2. BECAUSE IT WILL GET ME A NICE HIGH PAYING JOB
If you were in the Admissions Committee, would you find this reasoning acceptable? I am sure you will also question the sincerity of this reason knowing for a fact that money is not the only pushing factor and will not make an impact to the decision-makers.
3. BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE ME RICH
Similar to the reason above, you might end up dropping out of college if your only goal is to become rich. Although getting paid is one of the objectives, it is not the end of it all. To be able to get rich you must prove that you are sincere and persistent.
4. BECAUSE I NEED A PLACE TO DRINK BEER AND MEET PEOPLE
College is not the right place to drink beer and meet people; the bar would rightfully fit this purpose. With a phrase like this in your college admissions essay, I assure you 100% that no school will admit you.
5. BECAUSE IT MEANS I’M SMART
Don’t boast of your smartness and other positive points. If you are to write of it, better to express it in a manner that if expounds your character and not just saying it. Smartness can also mean many things and can also be interpreted in many ways. So before stating this, be smarter and find a way to say it in a convincing manner. The best way is to express some of your weakness and turn it into a positive point.
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When applying to enter college, there a few steps to be listed in the college application process. The process starts when you are in Senior High; a specific department in your school will be usually assigned to provide assistance. To prepare for college there are some basic steps you will undergo:
STEP 1: Obtain college applications and supporting documents.
You can browse online for the various colleges to find out which one fits your career plan. Narrow down your selection into 4-6 best choices. Generally, most colleges ask you to submit several forms. The supporting documents are necessary to assess the fitness of the student to the school as well as the fitness of the school to the student.
There at least two ways a school offers to filling-up the applications forms: via the usual paper trail or online. The Common Application is used by 321 member universities and colleges nationwide and sought by admissions officers to take a good review of the student’s academic standing. Students are allowed to fill up the online version only once and send one application to top colleges of their choice. Another option for students is to print a PDF version of the form, fill it out, and then send it by post.
There are some additional supporting documents required by some colleges. These include high school transcript, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation just to name a few.
STEP 2: Write your college admission essay and submit it.
While the personal college admission essay writing is considered part of the application process, having a unique character in the whole process makes it worth focusing as a separate element of the application.
To help you prepare a concise and creative essay, you can refer to free college admissions essays that are available online. These samples will provide fruitful incites on how you will write your own story. Once finished, your personal college admission essay can be submitted to the schools of your choice.
STEP 3: Prepare for interviews.
An interview is not required by all schools. When required, however, this process is one of the ways for the school to know you on an in-depth level. This session usually involves personal questions so you must be ready to make your interview schedule lively. Making your admission representative bored will give you a slim chance.
STEP 4: Stick to the deadlines.
Make sure you have a complete set of all the requirements submitted on or better yet, before the scheduled deadline.
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The beauty of ___ University’s environment lies in its diversity. With its eclectic mix of students, the university brings together unique experiences and personalities. This creates a lively milieu for learning that far exceeds its academic scope. I, myself, have a unique diverse past, which I hope will add a fresh perspective to the university. I am looking forward to learning more about life through my college education.
I grew up in the Philippines. Even though my father is Korean and I was born in Korea, his business took us all over Asia. Finally, we ended up in Manila when the city’s opportunities beckoned. We set up shop and it was at this time that I witnessed my family struggle to establish themselves in a totally foreign land. It was my father’s self-sufficiency and ambition that pulled us through this hard time, and from him I learned a lot.
I went to a private high school for international students. Likewise, I also attended English language class with a local tutor. My days were filled with immense learning. I was learning from my peers in school. Their varied backgrounds made me resilient and more open to cultural differences and a myriad of ideas. To me, possibilities became limitless. At the same time, my local tutor was teaching me how to speak better English. She was also imparting tidbits about her country to me. My stay in the Philippines was amazing to me because the country is a true melting pot of cultures, and offered a striking clash between the first world and the developing world. There were many poverty-ravished areas in the country, while certain locales enjoy amenities and lifestyles similar to those living in the first world.
These extremes made me realize how we, as individuals, need to make a difference. The opportunities available to us should not be taken for granted. As global citizens, we have the responsibility to learn as much as we can, and be the best in what we do. We should always meet each trial with confidence and strength. We should not be afraid to take risks.
I proved this even more to myself when I went to America and began studying at a community college. I was on my own but I saw to it that I excelled in what I did. I got good grades, became the president of the Korean Student Club and played with the soccer team. Through my extracurricular activities, I was able to create a network of friends and allies. These friends helped me assimilate into the Western milieu faster.
Apart from confidence and fearlessness in the face of risks, maturity has helped me a lot in dealing with my life’s circumstances. I quickly adapt to changes and diversity – these are realities in life. Likewise, I have become more committed to my personal goals. I am aware of how much work this takes but I am prepared to work three times as hard if I have to.
I know that, as I strive to further my college education, I will learn more from my peers, and hopefully impart some important insights too.
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Essay 11:
Even at a young age, I knew well enough that life is an adventure. Each step should be lived, and each person and experience that crosses our paths should be accepted with openness. It is through this that we learn and become better people.
I’ve always believed that one can never be too young to make a mark in people’s lives. Everything we do matter to one or more people, and to us. We should make the most of what we have and not take anything for granted. Life is to be lived; it is not to be waited on and wasted.
Growing up in a stable middle class family, I have many opportunities come my way. I know I am lucky and I feel that it is only right that I repay my parents by excelling and being the best student and daughter that I can be. I will graduate with a 4.0 GPA in high school. Also, I will end my year as one of the school’s student leaders (class president) and lead debater in our school’s debate team, the only batch in our school to compete in national competitions. I have worked so hard to achieve these and I am proud to have seen my simple dreams come to fruition.
Being class president has thought me a lot. It has allowed me to be involved in several projects and to work with several people. It is amazing how much diversity in culture and ideas are with us now. I think this is a good thing. Lives can be enriched by our differences as long as we learn to work together for a common cause and for the general good. As class president, I’ve had to be at the center of it all. I am the person most classmates turn to for guidance, decisions and inspiration. I have had to work to keep my friends motivated. This has thought me immense strength in character. And I have learned to always look forward to life’s challenges.
As a debater for our debate team, I have learned the importance of research, logic and analyses. We always have to get the facts straight, and be aware of possible arguments our competitors might present. Being in the team has also given me a healthy sense of competition. Sometimes, it is not always in winning a contest where we find victory; it is also in being able to do our best and come together as a team.
Outside school, I also involve myself in charity organizations and volunteer work. I help in food drives for the local Salvation Army, as well as several fundraising initiatives for our town’s homeless shelter. This has been an important factor in keeping myself grounded. I am keenly aware of my privilege and I want to be able to give back however way I can.
With all this activities I am involved in, I know what I want to achieve out of my life. I want to make a difference. I want to help people. I have a strong inclination to enter the health care industry or study medicine. I think becoming a health care practitioner is a solid way to go out there, help and make a difference.
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Question: “Describe the unique characteristics of ___ University that most interest you. Why do these interests make you a good match for this school?”
When considering the ___ University, I am struck the most by its wealth of resources and its diverse student body. I am impressed by the prestigious faculty that before, I only read of in scientific journals and papers. It is humbling to have the opportunity to be mentored by these great minds. I also admire the university’s commitment in maintaining a diverse student population. I think that this invigorates the learning environment. Each student brings with him or her different experiences and perspective, and limitless ideas.
I am a woman of Asian descent, who grew up with in the United Arab Emirates. While in the Middle East, I studied in a private high school for international students. There I was exposed to a variety of cultures. My everyday surroundings have ingrained some shyness in me, with the Middle East being a conservative locale. I think the intimate class setting in the university, as well as a variety of extracurricular social clubs, will help me overcome this and become comfortable with American life. At the same time, this will also provide me a new venue to expand my horizon and interests.
The ___ University is known globally as a prestigious institution of learning. It has stood for excellence and progressive thought. And it would be a privilege to study here, especially for students like me, whose careers may take them anywhere. A degree with your institution is sure to open doors of opportunities for me, regardless of where I am.
At the same time, I believe I can be a good addition to your student population. My exposure to different cultures has taught me a lot about the value and intrinsic goodness of diversity. Through the changing environments that I experienced, as well as changing circumstances, I am still able to excel and be a good academic. I am able to push through with my goals and aspirations.
I believe that being in your university will help me flourish as a person, especially in my chosen field. I am sure that I will be able to expand my knowledge base, given that I will be mentored by intellectual luminaries. Likewise, my exposure to further cultural diversity, in a lively academic milieu within your university, will enable me to develop intellectually and personally.
I am hopeful that you will provide me with a positive response. I only seek to improve myself by finding a better venue for learning than what I currently have now in the Middle East. My family is intrepid about my resolution to apply for further studies abroad. But I feel that this is the only way gain access to the amount of learning and development possibilities that I have long sought.
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The University of Texas at Austin consistently ranks amongst the top 50 best colleges in America, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s annual survey. It is said to be one of the best value colleges because of its public university status and diverse range of academic offerings.
The History of The University of Texas at Austin
When Texas got its independence from Mexico in 1836, it made a provision for two colleges or universities in its constitution. When the country was annexed to the United States, the state passed the Act of 1858, which gave $100,000 U.S. bonds for the school’s construction. It was in 1881 that Austin was chosen as the university’s main site. By September 15, 1883, the University of Texas at Austin opened its doors.
Alumni of the University of Texas at Austin
In politics, more than fifteen former University of Texas at Austin students served in the Senate or Congress of the United States. Two first ladies and their daughters are also alumni: Laura Bush and daughter Jenna, and Lady Bird Johnson and Lynda. Others include former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, and former Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans and Secretary of State James Baker.
In the arts, the list includes, Janis Joplin, Jayne Mansfield, Matthew McConaughey, Pulitzer Prize winners Gail Caldwell and Ben Sargent. In business, it’s Rex Tillerson, Gary C. Kelly, and Michael Dell.
The Prestige of the University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin boasts of immense diversity in its academic offerings and the cultures of its population. It is one of the top five schools with the most minority students in 2006; and it has been voted as the top college for Latinos by Hispanic Magazine in 2007.
Applying at the University of Texas at Austin
The application process at the University of Texas at Austin is typical. You fill out an application form, preferably online . Along with application form, you write personal statement essays based on the instructions posted by the school. For guides on how to write these essays, please look at this site’s free college admission essays. You are just required to submit two essays, usually essay A and essay B. However, if you are trying to get into a major with special requirements, you need to answer essay D also. College admission essay A tells you to write about someone who’s made an impact in your life. College admission essay B asks you to choose a current issue and explain its significance to your generation. Essay D is a major specific essay. Again for guidance, please check out this site’s free college admission essays.
Make sure to have your SAT Reasoning and ACT scores sent to the school. Taking the SAT and ACT is a requirement to getting into the University of Texas at Austin.
How free college admission essays can help you in writing your personal statement
Reading free college admission essays can help you write your own essay. If you’re experiencing writer’s block, free college admission essays can definitely help you start writing. Free college admission essays can also help you identify the best narrative style to use. Plus, free college admission essays can be a source of inspiration when thinking of an interesting introduction. When looking for free college admission essays, the Internet has lots to offer. Reading free college admission essays can also help you avoid common mistakes; just make sure that the free college admission essays you read are grammar error-free and are from reliable sources. Use free college admission essays as guides and never copy ideas from free college admission essays.
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Consistently ranked as one of the preeminent universities in the US, the University of California at Berkeley is one of the country’s premier universities. It ranks as one of the top thirty best colleges in America for 2008 . It is almost always ranked as the best public university in the US. The university is also noted for its number of excellent graduate programs in various fields. The University of California at Berkeley has over 130 academic departments and over 80 research units.
History: University of California at Berkeley
The charter of the University of California at Berkeley pegged the university as a “City of Learning.” It was actually a merger of the College of California, and the Agricultural, Mining and Mechanical Arts College. The Organic Act that officially established the school was signed on March 23, 1868.
The University of California at Berkeley has since established itself as a wellspring of innovation and discovery. As such, it has been a major contributor in the fields of arts and sciences.
Famous Graduates of the University of California At Berkeley
Numerous Nobel Prize winners are among the University of California at Berkeley’s alumni. Likewise, several Pulitzer Prize winners come from the university. Other notable graduates include: John C. Mather, Steve Wozniak, and Gordon Moore.
The Prestige of the University of California at Berkeley
The university is a leading purveyor of economic theories and social innovations. It is the place where vitamin E was discovered, and where the country’s first no-fault divorce law was drafted.
How Do I Apply At the University of California at Berkeley?
Applicants need to fill out the University of California at Berkeley‘s online application form. If you do not have reliable Internet access at this time, you may download the forms and submit through post.
All freshman applicants need to take two SAT subject tests. You must also take the ACT Assessment or the SAT Reasoning Test of the current year. The results of your SAT and ACT tests can be sent directly to the University of California at Berkeley at your request.
You will also be required to answer two questions regarding your personal statement. This personal statement is to let the Admissions Board know you and what’s important to you, beyond your test scores. For samples of free college admission essays, this site has lots to offer.
Here are the questions for the University of California at Berkeley:
1. Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community
or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
2. Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution
or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment
makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
For additional guidelines for these questions, see this site’s free college admission essays.
How free college admission essays can help you in your application
Free college admission essays can help you write your own winning essay. Reading free college admission essays can help you formulate ideas and choose a narrative style that suits you. Reading and evaluating several free college admission essays can also help you avoid common mistakes. Plus, free college admission essays can help you write an introduction that’ll hook the readers. Reading free college admission essays can help you figure out the best tone or mood for your essay.
Look for free college admission essays that don’t have grammatical errors in them. These reliable free college admission essays should also help you answer the essay questions concisely. When reading free college admission essays, never copy ideas from free college admission essays. Your essay should stand out from the rest so use free college admission essays only as guides.
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