Learning More About the
College Application Essay
What is The Essay All About?
• Telling them who you are, not what you’ve
done
• Gives the admissions officers an inside
look into who you are besides your grades
and scores
• About conveying key qualities about
yourself that may not be obvious otherwise
Suggestions From an Admissions
Officer for International Students
• Don’t be afraid to write about your
everyday life. It may seem uninteresting to
you, but that doesn’t mean it will be the
same for the admissions officer.
• Show how you stand out from other
people in your community.
• Know why you want to go to college
abroad. How will it impact your goals?
What influenced the decision?
Further Suggestions: Questions to
Consider
• How have people in your community responded
to your educational goals and
• Have you overcome odds to reach the level of
education that you have?
• What further obstacles lie in your path?
• How is education viewed in your family? Your
culture?
• What is it like to be an educated male/female in
your culture?
Typical Questions: “Tell us about
yourself…”
• Gives the school a chance to know you better
and see how you portray yourself
• Examples
– "Please complete a one-page personal statement and
submit it with your application."
– "How would you describe yourself as a human being?
What quality do you like best in yourself and what do
you like least? What quality would you most like to
see flourish and which would you like to see wither?“
– “Describe the most challenging obstacle you have
overcome, its impact on you, and what you learned
from the situation.”
Typical Questions: “Why our
college?”
• Essay about your goals and your commitment to your choice of
school or career
• You should have a clear idea about why the college is a good fit for
you, what type of students are there, and what has led to your
college aspirations.
• Examples:
– "Why is [university name] a good college choice for you?"
– "Please tell us about your career goals and any plans you m