How to Choose a Book, and Conquer the Admission Essay

Writing your admissions essay can't be compared to a Choose Your Own Adventure book or its equivalent, even if you're required to select a novel of your liking. There aren't abrupt ends, which might surprise you. It could happen if you have high expectations, but you must have a realistic view and a plan on how to persuade an admissions tutor.

You have been told about writing an essay based on your own personal experience, yet it wouldn't guarantee an unconditional offer. If you get a conditional offer, it may be interpreted with your coming too close to that goal (of an unconditional offer). You have three things to consider, which would ensure that you cover all the bases. If you decide on recounting a past experience, you must imagine if you could meet the word count. You can only stretch an experience, yet your perspective would guide you on what information to include in your paper. In this regard, you have to relate it to a source or two, which should turn your writing into an academic exercise. And this is what admission tutors are looking for. There's something else.

You can't praise a particular book, where you know every word after reading it countless times. You can ask for your tutor's permission, but a comic book would be a long shot. Alan Moore's graphic novels are exceptions, and you could impress your tutor if you would link "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" to Victorian literature (or the lack of interest in it). You can also consider modern adaptations, such as the relevance of Jack London's works in the 21st century. And perspective could change through the years, if not centuries. Some would remain the same, like Jane Austen's novels, yet you must figure out if this would make Austen better than the other novelists, whose works diminish in value after decades. What's next?

You have received some pointers on how to choose a book for your admissions essay, and how to relate it to your personal experience. You have laid the foundation, and the details should be the next step. How to do it?

4 Ways to Secure an (Unconditional) Offer

Assess your capabilities. You decide to analyze a challenging topic, and you’re certain that you can impress your tutor. However, you can't decide if you choose a topic that you're not really familiar with it or select one that you know too well. If you want to show that you deserve a place in a particular department, show off your knowledge. It would be better to select that topic that you know too well. On the other hand, tutors could see if certain applicants know lots of things in different fields, a sign that they would do well in an academically-challenged environment. If you're confident of your capabilities, you would be willing to spend long hours in the library. It doesn't make a certain applicant decide which one, so study the possible topics. Ask the tutor if you must play around, which may (or may not) show your creative side. But don't overdo it.

Imagine that you're procrastinating for a deadline to your assignment. Write your admissions essay like your life depends on it. And it really is. You never know what you can achieve if you're pushed to the wall (so to speak). It doesn't mean that taking your time won't be an option, but you would find out that time is a luxury until your second month in your first year in college.

Do you rather play it safe? You don't want to make mistakes, which would lessen your chances of admittance. Then again, tutors would look at the bigger picture. Are you a work in progress? Do you have flashes of brilliance? Are you enthusiastic about academic discussions? The answers to these questions would prompt you not to play it safe. Seek a second opinion on your paper, which should give you an insight that you overlook or haven't considered before. Don't be too sensitive, if not crabby when you ask someone who is more knowledgeable than you.

If you decide to analyze a book, choose your favorite (book) and discuss its special features. You would be surprised when you learn that the main reason for liking a particular book doesn't match the reason for selecting a particular topic. You can discuss it with your tutor, which could change your mind. It would lead to a better title (to write about).

Did You Ace your Application?

You wouldn’t know the results until you receive a notice, but you could tell after you’re done with the draft (of your application essay). You must have discussed your points, and back it up with facts, if not the hard ones. And you have chosen your words that would persuade your tutor. You’re not writing for him (or her), yet you could imagine a reading public. It’s very important to ask your friend, even if he (or she) won’t study in the same university as you do. You need an objective reaction, which helps you become a better writer. It may be a little, but no achievement is too small.