Personal statements are an important part of your college application. Not only do they help personalize the admissions process, but they also allow you to stand out from your peers and leave a lasting impression. Many students are unsure how to write a good college essay and often wonder what to write their college essay on.
If you are wondering how to write a good essay for college applications, read on! In this article, we will discuss components of a strong personal statement, as well as practical writing tips — such as how to write a college essay introduction.
A personal statement is not the same as your typical, 5-paragraph, high school essay. You do not need to include a formal thesis statement at the end of your introductory paragraph (in fact, you probably shouldn’t). Likewise, avoid using overly technical or intellectual language. Now is not the time to show off your SAT vocabulary! Instead, use your personal statement to communicate who you are as a person.
The best way to communicate who you are as a person is to infuse your language with personality. An effective personal statement should be memorable. College admissions officers want to gain a more thorough understanding of who you are; your personal statement is your opportunity to give them this opportunity.
One of the most important tips for knowing how to write a good college application essay is to focus on cultivating your narrative voice. Showing the way that you think, using your standard vocabulary, and conveying warmth, honesty, and humor are great ways to cultivate a personal style and sense of overall voice. In short, when you are trying to focus on how to write a good essay for college applications, consider these five steps:
Do not repeat information that can be found elsewhere in your application. Use every aspect of your college application as a unique opportunity to share something important about yourself. Sometimes students feel pressured to choose an “impressive” topic and use “impressive” vocabulary in their college essays. This is not necessary. Your SAT and ACT test scores, high school transcripts, and GPA will speak to your academic capabilities. Your college essay should speak to your passions, personality, and sensibilities.
As you consider unique college essay topics and college essay topics that stand out, review these four winning college essay examples. Reviewing various college essay topic examples and successful sample essays is an important step to take while brainstorming.
The most important thing to remember when thinking about creative college essay topics is that how you write about the topic is just as important as the topic itself. Many successful essays discuss seemingly unremarkable topics in remarkable ways. For example, you might choose to write about your passion for theater in an essay that features stage directions.
In short, it’s okay if you don’t have an extraordinary topic, such as spending the summer with your grandmother in Argentina and learning her secret family recipes. As long as your topic is meaningful to you and you try to find an engaging, unique way to approach your topic, your personal essay will likely be successful.
When considering college essay topics to write about, you will also want to avoid trying to tell your entire life story. Pick a small piece and focus on that. After all, this is a brief essay.
Personal statements are an important admissions factor. Give yourself plenty of time to write several drafts and think deeply about the prompts. Here are some important writing tips to consider while writing your personal statement.
Remember, it is important to focus on writing a strong, compelling introduction and a meaningful, conclusive final paragraph.
What makes a great college essay? There are lots of answers to this question. One of the most important factors to consider, however, when crafting a successful personal statement, is learning how to write a good college essay about yourself. Sometimes it can feel awkward or intimidating to write about yourself.
First, take plenty of time to reflect on the essay prompt. Take notes, write down your stream of consciousness, and discuss the topic with people you trust. Do your best to write the way you speak. You might even want to try brainstorming out loud so you can reflect on your natural voice and tone before you sit down to write the essay. The most important thing is to be thoughtful and genuine. There is no one right way to write about yourself, just as there is no one right way to be yourself.
Write several drafts and ask trusted individuals — such as your parents, peers, high school guidance counselors, and/or teachers — if the essay sounds like you. This will be a good indicator of whether your essay requires further revisions.
Now that we’ve discussed how to write a college narrative essay, as well as what makes a good university essay, let’s focus on one of the most popular supplemental essay prompts: Why this college? There are lots of factors to consider when focusing on how to write a good “why this college” essay. Some of the most important ones are listed below:
It’s important to use lots of specific details in this essay. Show that you have properly researched the school by sharing specific programs and opportunities that excite you and tie into your overall academic and professional goals. This is also a great opportunity to show why you would thrive at this particular school and what you would contribute to the school and campus culture.
There are lots of components involved when one considers what makes a good college essay. Most notably, you want to cultivate a strong narrative voice while discussing a meaningful topic. Be genuine and authentic. You don’t need to select an “impressive” essay topic that you don’t care about to stand out. Stand out by demonstrating your passion and personality.
If you are struggling with any part of the college application process, or feel you could benefit from professional attention, reach out to learn more about our services. Similarly, if you are set on attending an Ivy League college, many students work carefully alongside a college counselor as they prepare their college application materials.
A personal statement is not the same as a typical high school essay. You do not need to include a formal thesis statement at the end of your introductory paragraph. Use your personal statement to communicate who you are as a person, and avoid using overly technical or intellectual language.
From studying for the SAT to landing an internship, these are valuable experiences you shouldn't miss the summer before senior year.
These are the best ways to request time off from work in an effective and professional manner, most common reasons why people request time off from work, as well as how to request extended time off, and how to ask your doctor for permission.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and are wondering how to stay motivated in the workplace, you might want to consider taking some time off. This could give you the extra boost of motivation you need to realign your work-life balance. That said, it can feel intimidating to know how to ask for days off at work. Especially if you don’t know your company’s protocol or are otherwise a new employee.
In this article, we will review how to ask for time off from work in a way that is effective and professional. We will also review common reasons people decide to ask for time off from work, as well as how to ask for extended time off work and how to ask your doctor for time off work.
So if you are looking for more guidance in regards to how to ask for a day off from work or how to write an email asking for time off work, read on!
There are lots of reasons why people decide to take time off from work. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons below:
Sometimes you will only need a day or two off from work. Typically, when you ask your boss for a single day off, your request can be more easily accommodated.
Sometimes, though, you will need to know how to ask for extended time off work and how to ask your doctor for time off work. These requests will take a bit more planning, and typically, a bit more paperwork. In most cases, you should reach out to your Human Resources department to review your options moving forward.
When you ask for time off from work, it’s important to remember that there is Paid Time Off (PTO) and Unpaid Time Off. Let’s review the difference.
Some companies offer several days to several weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) for employees. You may have to be at a company for 6 months to a year before you earn any PTO. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to review company policies carefully.
Additionally, companies may have a set number of paid days off you have, or it might depend on how much time you’ve worked at the company. This latter scenario is often referred to as “Earn Time.”
Even if you don’t have any Earn Time or PTO, you may still be able to take time off from work. In this case, though, it would be unpaid.
Again, there is a lot of variation in policies between companies. This is why it is important to familiarize yourself with your company’s specific protocols regarding sick days, paid time off, earn time, and unpaid time off. This will also help you figure out how to ask for time off from work in a way that is efficient and nondisruptive.
Review your employee handbook or schedule a time to discuss your questions and concerns with your boss or someone in Human Resources. Learn the difference between sick days, earn time, paid time off, and unpaid time off according to your company.
For example, you may need to fill out paperwork to file a formal time off request. This could be done either on paper or through an online platform. It’s also important to figure out how much notice you need to give before you can take time off. For some employers, a week’s notice is fine; for others, though, they may need a month or more to accommodate your request, especially if it is for a substantial amount of time.
The Family and Medical Leave Act entitles eligible employees who work for covered employers — this includes elementary and secondary schools, public agencies, and companies with 50 or more employees — to take unpaid leave in the case of a medical or family emergency. If an employee decides to take a leave of absence under this act, their job will be protected and their health insurance will continue uninterrupted during their absence.
What qualifies as a medical or family emergency under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
So what is the best way to ask for time off work? Let’s review a few key tips and steps for how to ask your boss for time off work.
Make sure you plan ahead and give your workplace adequate notice. If you are only asking for a day off, you may only need to give a week’s notice. If you need to take a week off or more, however, you will likely need to give significantly more notice. This will depend on your specific workplace. Check in with your boss and review any official policies so that you can plan accordingly.
Yes, you deserve time off and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for it, but technically you do need permission. This is why it is important to be respectful but assertive in your request. You may also want to ask your boss after you have met an important deadline or have otherwise caught up on your work. You are more likely to receive a favorable response if you are a capable and valuable worker.
Try to plan your time off so that it is the least disruptive. Of course, this isn’t always possible, but if you can, try to avoid taking time off of work during particularly busy periods. It is also important to check in with your coworkers to let them know what days you will be out of work. Not only is this respectful, but it will help ensure that everything remains organized and that things run smoothly while you are away.
Even if you ask your boss for time off in person, you should always follow up in writing. This will help everyone remain organized. Depending on your workplace, you may need to fill out a specific form. This form could be online or a paper copy.
Always review your company’s official policies. This will help prevent miscommunications and will help you plan accordingly.
Even if you ask for time off in person, it’s important to follow up via email so that there is a paper trail of your request. This is why it is important to learn how to ask for time off via email. Not only will this help management stay organized, but it will also help vouch for you in the future, in case there are any miscommunications.
That said, let’s take a look at a “how to ask for time off work by email” sample:
So why is this a good example of how to write a letter asking for time off work?
Well firstly, it is considerate and respectful. The fact that Noel is willing to adjust deadlines shows that she is a team player and is invested in her work. The email also includes relevant dates and provides some context for why Noel is requesting time off. While it is not necessary to disclose why you are requesting time off, it can help to foster goodwill.
It can be difficult to know how to ask for time off when you just started. This is why it is important to review your company’s official policies. Refer to your employee handbook or reach out to your supervisor or the head of Human Resources.
It is also important to note that if you already know you will need time off when you are applying for a new job, your time off request can often be accommodated as part of the hiring agreement. It is also common to ask questions about how to ask for vacation time at work during the hiring process.
So if you’ve already planned a vacation or an appointment, be sure to discuss this with your hiring manager. Otherwise, follow the 5 practical steps outlined above to know how to properly ask for time off work.
At some point, everyone needs a break. Hopefully, with some time off from work, you will be able to recharge and reset. Sometimes, though, it is not that simple. If you are struggling with a toxic work environment, it may be time to start thinking about finding a new career. There are lots of resources available to you as you navigate your career. If you are wondering when to ask for a raise, how to change careers, or anything else related to the workforce, reach out to learn more about our services.
