Questions+about+writing

= Post any questions you may have about writing. =

The only rule is that you be respectful, please.
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1. What is the biggest mistake freshmen college writers make in their writing? I did answer this question in the my [|blog about writing] because there is no single biggest mistake, but a lot of problems for students begin with time management, especially underestimating how long anything will take.

2. What's the most important aspect of writing in college? This is a difficult question because there are dependencies. Each professor has preferences and pet peeves, some of which are dictated by their own predilections and some of which are determined by their content area. It may be too simplistic, but a) be prepared; b) write drafts and revise; c) know the professor's expectations for format, etc.; and d) ask if you're not sure.

3. What key points are looked for in the college application? Diversity, fit, values, abilities, past, future, ability to articulate your thoughts and ideas.

4. What is something students add in college application essays that is not necessary? Anything that's already in the transcript or application. One of the few reasons to refer to something in your transcript or application is if it's the focal point of your application essay and you want or need to give context. Refer to the writing triangle and the three questions.

5. What is the most important thing to include in an introduction and conclusion? This isn't any different from any other writing. Your introduction is your promise to your reader; you set your reader's expectations. You have 35 (or fewer) words to get **//and//** keep the attention of your reader. Make every word count. As for your conclusion, it's your last chance to address your purpose, to make sure the reader knows you have given him or her every consideration as you've thought about what that reader needs and wants to know beyond what she already knows. It is the big push, the grand finale, the perfect bite. Whatever you do, do NOT introduce anything new in your conclusion.

6. How strict are professors on grading grammar? This is a great question. The simple answer is that professors outside of the English department are wildly inconsistent in the way they grade grammar. I had a colleague who circled everything she believed she was an error. When she got to the fifth thing, she stopped grading and returned the paper to the student. The error might have been grammar, mechanics, spelling, or none of the above. The key there is what she //believed// to be an error. If it was a research project or a specific kind of paper for her class, she would also circle formatting or citation errors as those are important to her discipline. Students had to resubmit the corrected paper by the next class period. After that she would just grade and mark down for all errors. I've had colleagues who have deducted a point for every perceived error; those professors might be willing to give back points if a student can prove it's not really an error. Some professors, especially in business and education, will mark up papers.

7. Is it better to submit my essay over email or through the post-office? It's better to follow the process for which they ask. If there is a mechanism to submit your essay via email, use it. If they make sure you have a snail mail address, find the stamps.

8. Do they [admissions officers] read the whole essay? Honestly? Probably not. The majority of them read the first few paragraphs and start to pass judgement then. If you have a strong start, they'll keep reading to see if you live up to the promise of the start. If you have a weak start to your essay but show potential, they'll keep reading. If you have a weak start but don't seem to have much of interest to say, your essay will be on the skinny envelope ("We're sorry. . . ") pile. If the reader is undecided about you, someone else is likely to read your essay. If there is a split decision, they may get a third reader or just make a decision based on where you fall in the list. Certainly your essay is not the only factor in deciding your admission. So an essay with a weak start but a strong finish could land you on the bubble for admissions. But don't count on it.

9. How can I explain my poor ACT score without sounding like everyone else? You mean the "I don't test well" line? The problem with a poor ACT score is that it could be possible to raise it by taking the exam again, by shelling out money for a tutor to study. Or maybe you really are a terrible standardized test taker. If that's the case, you should meet with an exam tutors to see what you can do to improve your skills or what kinds of strategies you can adopt because you will see standardized tests again.

10. Should we write an essay when it's optional? Yes. Writing an essay shows you aren't afraid to write, that you have initiative, and that you think you have something to say that will warrant the admissions teams considering you as a strong candidate for admissions.

11. Do people get rejected if they have an outstanding GPA and ACT/SAT score but a poor essay? Can a good essay cancel out a bad ACT score? The calculus of admissions isn't that straightforward. There are a whole range of factors considered for your admissions: your intended major, where you live, what kinds of activities you did in high school, outside interests, etc. The admissions team is looking for a fit. They want someone who will bring value to the institution as well as learn while at it. They want diversity on a whole range of levels. You can do some damage by writing a poor essay. Think about what a poor admissions essay says about you, other than you might not be a very good writer and, therefore, might struggle in college. And, by the way, high schools are ranked, too. So an outstanding GPA at Podunk High School may be an average GPA as Exemplar High School. In other words, all GPAs are not created equal.

12. Is it bad if my essay goes over the word limit? It depends. If you go over by more than 10 or so words, it suggests you can't count or you can't edit your work or you haven't been able to focus your topic. Don't even think about exceeding the word limit by 25 words or more. Exceeding the word limit by a few words isn't likely to do irreparable harm.

13. If I'm going for humor, should I have it mostly funny or just light hearted and humorous? Don't go for humor. For one thing, it's very hard to convey humor accurately. For another one, not everyone finds the same things amusing. Just write your essay with the tone of voice you have in your head. Have someone who doesn't know anything about the topic read your essay. If that person, especially someone who knows you, doesn't "get" the tone voice as humorous or light-hearted, try something else. The humor has to be done exceptionally well or it just comes off sounding, well, not funny and much worse than not funny.

14. Is it okay to include something good that I did academically, or does it come off as conceited? Accomplishments are to be celebrated, so celebrate it. The challenge is to share your good news with some degree of modesty. The hard part is not trying to sound too modest about your accomplishments; then you just sound disingenuous and false, which is only slightly worse than sounding like an arrogant boor.

15. What is the most important thing you should say about yourself in your essay? It depends. What is the most important thing you think the admissions team needs to know about you to know you will be an invaluable addition to the university?

16. How do you limit such an important paper in a limited amount of words? Some admissions essays are not really short, but there are several reasons for asking for a limited NUMBER of words. First, the admissions team is likely to receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. That's a lot of essays to read. Second, a limited number of words requires the writer to focus. The topic has to be very focused and specific, which makes the writing a bit easier. With a limited number of words, you have to make calculated decisions about word choice and about the topic itself.

17. What if an essay topic isn't about us? I think I might need more information here. If you are writing about a family member or a friend or a pet (that can also be a friend, of sorts), you are writing from your own perspective, your own lens of how you see and interact with that person. The essay is still about you, though not directly. If you are not writing about a family member or a pet, then your challenge is greater. The point of the admissions essay is to offer a window into your personality, your psyche, and demonstrate your ability. You can still do the latter, but you deny the admissions team the opportunity to know //you// better if you do not write about yourself.

18. Is there a difference when applying to a college after 2 years as opposed to applying to a college right after high school? In theory, you would be two years wiser. But, again, the calculus of college admissions is not simple. You may have a better shot at admissions if you wait because the admissions team may be looking for a different demographic. As a former professor and as someone who works in a corporate environment but with classroom teachers, I can tell you that students with a bit more maturity and a bit more insight //tend// to do very well in college. But not always.