Crafting a college essay is a crucial component of your application process. It serves as an opportunity for you to showcase your unique personality and writing proficiency, and allows you to elaborate on how you can make a valuable contribution to the college community or institution, beyond your academic performance. Navigating the college application process can be a daunting and intimidating task. This article provides an outline of a college essay example and explanations for each section.
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In a Nutshell – College Essay Example
- A college essay is an essential part of the college application
- It highlights your personality and writing proficiency.
- This article includes two college essay examples serving as a guide.
- The key sections of a college essay are: Introduction, Body, Conclusion.
Definition: College essay example
When writing a college essay, it is important to structure it properly and include all important sections. The essay should consist of three main parts:
- Introduction,
- Body paragraphs
- Conclusion
In the introduction, your goal is to engage the reader’s attention and present your thesis statement. The body paragraphs should be used to present your arguments or ideas with supporting details and evidence. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea that supports your thesis. Finally, in the conclusion, you should restate your thesis and summarize your main points.
College essay example – Specific outline with example
In the following, a college essay example titled “Embracing Change: My Journey Towards Adaptability” will be discussed and broken down into different parts of an essay.
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Catchy opening line:
“The day I broke my arm wasn’t the worst day of my life; it was the most transformative.” -
Introduction to the main theme:
“The essay will discuss the ability to embrace change.” -
Thesis statement:
“Breaking my arm taught me resilience and adaptability, shaping my character in high school.”
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Explanation of the point:
Discuss the initial challenge of dealing with a broken arm. -
Evidence or anecdote:
Tell the story of struggling with daily tasks, and feelings of frustration, but learning to adapt.
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Explanation of the point:
Discuss how the broken arm led to developing new skills and interests. -
Evidence or anecdote:
Share discovering an interest in chess and thus joining the chess club, leading to a sense of belonging.
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Explanation of the point:
Discuss how the experience inspired resilience and adaptability in other areas of life. -
Evidence or anecdote:
Tell about choosing challenging courses, new learning styles, and improving academically.
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Restatement of the thesis:
“My experience with a broken arm served as a catalyst for personal growth and adaptability.” -
Summarization of main points:
Recap on the developed skills, new interests, and improved academic performance. -
Closing thoughts:
“I’ve learned that challenges often provide opportunities for growth, which I anticipate to apply at…”
Breaking down a college essay example
In the following, a college essay example titled “The Transformative Power of Community Service” will be discussed and broken down into different parts of an essay.
| Introduction | The buzzword "community service" is often heard and discussed in our society today, but its impact on individuals is frequently underestimated. This college essay example will delve into the transformative power of community service, arguing that it is an essential part of education that fosters personal growth, cultural understanding, and social responsibility. |
| Body Paragraph 1 | Community service teaches us the value of empathy, promoting personal growth. When we volunteer our time to assist others, we begin to see the world from different perspectives. We witness struggles that we were previously unaware of, fostering empathy and broadening our worldview. |
| Evidence | For instance, my time spent volunteering at a local food bank exposed me to the reality of food insecurity in my own neighborhood. The personal stories I heard and the gratitude expressed by those we helped made me understand the severity of the issue. |
| Analysis | This firsthand experience not only changed my perspective on the hardships others face, but also helped me grow as a person. It taught me to appreciate the comforts I have and instilled a desire to help alleviate such challenges in my community. |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Moreover, community service introduces us to a variety of cultures and backgrounds, fostering cultural understanding. |
| Evidence | At the food bank, I interacted with a diverse range of individuals – from single mothers struggling to feed their children, to senior citizens living on a fixed income. These interactions exposed me to the diverse circumstances and cultures within my own community. |
| Analysis | By engaging with people from different backgrounds, community service provides a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate the diverse tapestry of cultures that make up our society. |
| Conclusion | In conclusion, this college essay example demonstrates the transformative power of community service. It not only catalyzes personal growth and cultural understanding but also fosters social responsibility by encouraging us to actively participate in addressing societal issues. In the context of education, integrating community service into the curriculum can greatly enrich a student's learning experience and personal development. |
FAQs
When writing a college essay, the main emphasis should be on you – your personal experiences, accomplishments, interests, and development. The essay should provide a deeper understanding of your character and individual journey that may not be apparent from the rest of your application. Essentially, it should showcase what sets you apart and why you would be a valuable asset to the college’s community.
When writing a college essay, it’s important to keep it personal while also maintaining a level of appropriateness and professionalism. While it’s okay to share personal experiences and emotions, it’s best to avoid oversharing or delving into controversial topics. Remember to choose personal elements that support your main message and contribute to the overall tone and point of your essay.
It is not advisable to utilize an online college essay example for your application. Rather, these examples should be employed as references or sources of inspiration for structure, tone, and style. Your college essay ought to be genuine and reflect your individual experiences, beliefs, and aspirations. Copying content can lead to severe outcomes, such as being denied admission.