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  • The Great College Essay Project: Student Packet

    The Great College Essay Project: Student Packet

  • Hello College-bound Hopeful!

  • Thank you for letting us be a part of your college application journey. This document is meant to act as a guide as you write a great first draft to go along with your college/scholarship application. There is more than one way to write a strong essay, but we like this way as it’s effective and easy to approach for a variety of prompts. Keep in mind the following about your essay:

    The essay needs to be compelling.

    There are many students applying to college, and you want to stand out.

    The essay needs to be focused.

    You have a limited number of words (between 250-650 for Common App prompts) to tell your story.

    The essay needs to be well-written.

    A well-written essay can give the impression that you will be a good student.

    There are two sections of our workshop today:

  • 1. The Student Intwerview

    2. Part One: Start With a Story

  • © 826 National, Inc. All rights reserved.                        Lesson: The Great College Essay Project

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  • The Great College Essay Project: Student Packet

    Student Interview

  • © 826 National, Inc. All rights reserved.                        Lesson: The Great College Essay Project

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  • The Great College Essay Project: Student Packet

    Student Interview

  • What is your favorite...

  • © 826 National, Inc. All rights reserved.                        Lesson: The Great College Essay Project

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  • The Great College Essay Project: Student Packet

    Student Interview

  • © 826 National, Inc. All rights reserved.                        Lesson: The Great College Essay Project

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  • The Great College Essay Project: Student PAcket

    Student Interview

  • When is one time you've felt...

  • © 826 National, Inc. All rights reserved.                        Lesson: The Great College Essay Project

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  • The Great College Essay Project: Student Packet

    Part One: Start With a Story

  • People love a good story! A story is a great way to engage and connect with the reader from the start. Admissions counselors read hundreds of essays. You have to grab their attention right away.

    You want to: Tell the story of ONE interesting and important moment. Write in ways that gets the reader picturing what was happening, using descriptions, dialogue, action and thinking.

    Read the intro to Kelly’s essay. Notice the interesting moment she selected, and how she described it.

    I was 14 years old when my Great-Gran turned 94. The entire family gathered at her nursing home to celebrate her. She was small and frail, and confined to a wheelchair, but she was still full of fire. When no one was looking, she called me over with a wave. “You want to see what I got?” she asked me. I nodded. Looking around furtively, she reached behind her back and pulled a lead pipe, six inches long and heavy, from beneath her wheelchair cushion. “I might be 94,” she said, “but they won’t catch me slipping!”

    © 826 National, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Lesson: The Great College Essay Project

  • © 826 National, Inc. All rights reserved.                        Lesson: The Great College Essay Project

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