Dumb college application question

[scrapquitler]

Please don't laugh at me. DD16 is working on English homework and has to find out what essay topic one of the colleges she wants to apply to requires. She's looking at the application now, and the only thing we can find is a 'Personal statement' of 250 words. Is THIS the essay? Since it doesn't specify a topic does that mean she can write about whatever she wants to?

 

[LBAK]

The personal statement is now the "essay" for the common app. Some schools do suggest an essay (as well as the personal statement) and will give you prompts for that essay.

 

[martikus]

Without seeing the application myself, it probably is. I think long essays can be are a thing of the past in many places. Online "common apps" means every school gets the same information so essays can't be personalized by school. Many schools don't want to/have time to read through tons of lengthy essays.

 

[scrapquitler]

Thank you both. The school in question accepts both the common application and one called the Universal something or other. Interestingly, this college doesn't do personal interviews. I thought that having an interview was normal, but I guess not.

 

[clh2]

I don't know if your DD would find this helpful or not - this is from UW-Madison's "Applicant tip sheet" on their Office of Admissions and Recruitment web page:

DEVELOP STRONG WRITTEN STATEMENTS

As part of our holistic review, we refer to the written statements you submit to understand more about you. What you choose to share gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish as part of our community.

Your statements might also be used for campus program and scholarship review. Remember to stand out from other applicants and help us to know you beyond your GPA and test scores. Here are the two questions that all applicants must answer:


Statement One:
Consider something in your life you think goes unnoticed and write about why it's important to you.

Statement Two:
Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. If applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement.

Keep these tips in mind as you work on your writing:

Develop your thoughts before you begin the writing process, and create an outline.

About 300-500 words for each statement should be sufficient.
Don't type directly to the web, working on your draft in word processing software.
Allow time to develop and revisit your writing.
Check for spelling mistakes and ask someone to proofread your final version.
Be genuine and honest in your writing.

 

[scrapquitler]

Thank you both. The school in question accepts both the common application and one called the Universal something or other. Interestingly, this college doesn't do personal interviews. I thought that having an interview was normal, but I guess not.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Please don't laugh at me. DD16 is working on English homework and has to find out what essay topic one of the colleges she wants to apply to requires. She's looking at the application now, and the only thing we can find is a 'Personal statement' of 250 words. Is THIS the essay? Since it doesn't specify a topic does that mean she can write about whatever she wants to?

Sounds like a general app to me?

If she were applying to specialty schools, like auditioning for art, choir, dance, honors college, etc...they may require further application processes.

Example from my alma mater...

Final Deadline to Petition for Admission to the Honors College for the Fall Semester 2014 or later: April 1.

If you dont meet the criteria for direct admission to the Honors College, you may petition for admission by submitting two essays as part of your application. You will be notified of the decision within 2 weeks. In order to petition for admission, select that option at the bottom of the online application and the necessary fields and text boxes will open.

Note that if you are admitted to the Honors College through the petition process and you wish to apply for Honors housing, you must petition well before the March 1 deadline.

http://honors.missouri.edu/future_students/admission.php

 

[a1tinkfans]

What a great assignment for an English class. I hope she will take advantage of the opportunity to have her "personal statement" critiqued.
rather than choosing an easier option. The personal statement can make or break a college app. It should indicate what your daughter is about, who is she, what makes her tick, what can/will she offer to the university and her fellow class, etc? Make each and every word count! Write it than weed it out and make it more concise!
Especially without a personal interview... it should be a strong statement that makes her stand out among the hundreds/thousands of applications that cross their desk.....make them want to know her and offer her a spot! Many scholastic scholarships will require several essays and a personal statement before decisions are finalized, so using it to its fullest potential is critical..

Best of Luck to her...

 

[scrapquitler]

Thank you all for all the advice! I love the fact that the teachers in her school are using the college application process as part of their classwork because when I talk to her about these things, she just tunes me out, but then if the teachers say the same thing, she's all excited and receptive to advice...

 

[princesspumpkin]

Can she use one of the Common App essay prompts?

DD has some schools on the Common App and some that aren't. For the schools that aren't on the CA, some require their own essay and some don't.

 

[HM]

The summer after my DDs Junior year, one of the Senior AP English summer assignments was writing an essay for college applications. The teacher was supposed to critique and edit them in time for the kids to use them. Didn't happen that way. Her teacher did not get them done (turns out to be her modis operandi all year) and the kids had to either use what they had or ask someone else to look over them in order to submit for early decision.

 

[georgina]

These are the comm app essay prompts this year (maximum word limit is 650 words I think, minimum of 250 words)-

Common Application Essay Questions for 2013-2014

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

 

[Christine]

OP, when my son applied last year, some of the colleges asked for a personal statement which could be about anything. But some of them had prompts. He had to do the same for his English class. They worked on their college essays for the first 30 minutes of class and the teacher helped them. I thought that was a great idea.

 

[Sadie22]

The summer after my DDs Junior year, one of the Senior AP English summer assignments was writing an essay for college applications. The teacher was supposed to critique and edit them in time for the kids to use them. Didn't happen that way. Her teacher did not get them done (turns out to be her modis operandi all year) and the kids had to either use what they had or ask someone else to look over them in order to submit for early decision.

Maybe someone suggested to her that a teacher editing what is supposed to be a student's work would be unethical. To critique is one thing. To make changes is something else entirely.