Writing Concisely in Your College Essay
by Molly R.
As you probably know, it’s imperative to write concisely in your college essays.
Every word matters when there is a small word count and it is important that you share relevant details to make your essay compelling.
Oversharing can make your essay confusing and hard to read. Yet, undersharing leaves holes in your story and will be confusing for an admissions officer. Therefore, it’s crucial that you write concisely in your college essay.
Here are some ways that you can write concisely in your college admissions essay:
1.Eliminate redundancy and reputation. At IvyBoost, we sometimes see essays that include a lot of repetition. As you work on your essay, remember to say something once. For example:
Bad example (includes redundancy): Last summer I volunteered at a food kitchen that served lower income individuals and helped to reduce food insecurity. By volunteering at a food kitchen, I was able to help others and learn about the stigmas surrounding food insecurity.
Better example of writing concisely: Volunteering at a food kitchen made me aware of the many ways living in poverty negatively affects lower-income individuals. It also gave me an opportunity to give back.
2. Avoid extra adjectives. Also known as qualifiers, extra adjectives don’t add meaning to essays and are often unnecessary. By removing extra adjectives, such as really, very, a lot, basically, practically, and extremely, your essay will sound smoother and less choppy and casual.
Bad example (too many adjectives): At the University of Massachusetts, I plan to join a drama club so I can get really involved in theater and will definitely audition for a lot of plays.
Better example: When I enroll at college, I look forward to pursuing my passion for acting in drama club and various auditions.
3. Replace phrases with words. When we speak with our peers, it’s easier to use more casual language and longer descriptions to describe events and people. However, when writing our college essay, it’s important to find ways to shorten lengthy sentences.
Bad example (sentence is too long): Due to the fact that my cousin has a genetic skin disorder, I have learned not to judge people based on their external appearance.
Better example: Because I have a relative with a genetic skin disorder, I understand the importance of not judging others.
These are just a few tips when it comes to writing concisely in your college essay.
Stay tuned to discover more essay writing tips with IvyBoost Essay Narwhal services.