Once you have made a match with the college or university, you then need to distinguish yourself from others within a particular category. This is called your edge. College Center can furnish specific advice tailored to your background, so that you can present yourself strongly. The following, more general guidelines will help, too:
Know yourself and be yourself. Show yourself honestly and forcefully in your essay. Use vivid and varied examples of what you are trying to say.
Set yourself off from other in your group, by letting the college know of your talents. If you are a scholar with literary interests, then don't be afraid to talk about the poetry of T. S. Eliot or to submit a paper you wrote on "The Hollow Men". The same holds true for a musical talent - describe a life-long relationship with your flute. At the same time remember to put your special talent or interest in perspective by mentioning other activities or interests that you might wish to pursue in college.
Show a desire to contribute to the college community. Except for the scholar category perhaps, most colleges and universities are expecting that the students they enroll will want to contribute to each other's lives and to the community in general. Students will want to play in the marching band, serve on the guest speakers committee, create an ice sculpture for the winter carnival or engage in social service with Habitat for Humanity. In your application and in your essay you should make certain that your potential for contributing to the life of the college or university is fully presented. College Center can review your application and help with specific advice and examples that will show your potential.
Present yourself as slightly unconventional within one of the categories. This is one of those "balancing acts" that requires you to use your creativity in combination with good sense. Often students seek to describe their personalities and values in their essays, and this is a good idea. Where they sometimes they go wrong is in straining too hard for an example or a metaphor. Try to see yourself as others see you. Portray yourself as someone who is able to balance your own individuality with the demands of the community, while still preserving your sense of fun, and your honesty and responsibility to others.
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