To apply for study at a foreign university, you need to collect a lot of documents. The list varies from university to university, but it always includes official and “creative” papers. By official, I mean diplomas and certificates from a university or school – documents of an approved form.
Creative papers are a resume and an admission essay. Competently composed, they will close the gaps or smooth out the lack of certain experience; otherwise, they will spoil the impression even of the ideal candidate.
Usually, these documents are needed at the stage of applying for the program of interest. A resume and an admission essay help the admissions committee learn about the candidate’s experience, skills, and motives for studying in the program. On their basis, they decide whether to enroll an applicant or not.
The main problem that applicants face is that they need to determine which fields of life to write about. All applicants are different; each has their own life situations and personal qualities. Moreover, you should stand out from other candidates, and this task often leads to a stupor.
To prevent this condition, it is better to order a sample of an admission essay before starting to write your paper. You can do it on EssaySeek. Here, a writer will write you an example of an admission essay – just request write my college essay help from them.
What is an admission essay, and what is it for?
In the admission essay, the candidate explains why they are applying for a program or scholarship and why it is worth choosing it. In fact, the essay is the only opportunity for the admissions committee to recognize the applicant and determine whether they are suitable for the program and whether it will help them achieve their career goals.
There are several terms for designating an admission essay: motivation letter, cover letter, personal statement, and statement of purpose. All of them, to some extent, mean similar things, but there are differences.
- Motivation letter in my practice is met most often. This is a standard motivation letter in which a person tells why they want to study in a particular program and why they should choose it.
- A cover letter is a similar document, but the term is more common not in educational programs and scholarships but in internships.
- The personal statement is a letter in which the identity of the applicant is central.
- A statement of purpose is another type of motivational letter. Here, in addition to motives and career plans, you need to tell why you chose this particular program.
How to write an admission essay
Before you start writing an essay, it is important to understand its purpose. If you do not clearly define what and why to write, effective writing will not work. Since the filling of the document is always at the discretion of the applicant, I often advise the people about the following.
Imagine that the selection committee looks at 500-800 applications. What would you like to read in admission essays? What questions would you like to find answers to? Obviously: the more clearly and concisely the information is presented, the easier it is to process and understand. If you look at this angle, it is easier to understand what to write. This is a basic principle. Advice is suitable for any direction – whether it is an essay to a master’s program, a scholarship, or both at the same time.
In my experience, admission essays that are more creative in terms of content are best accepted in the US and also for undergraduate admissions. Most European countries, including Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, will prefer stricter admission essays.
When is the best time to write an admission essay?
Don’t leave essay writing until the last night before a deadline. I know that this approach works well for many, but in a situation with an admission essay, it is important to do the preparatory work, analyze your experience, compare it with the requirements, and only then sit down to write. Since the process is creative, interesting ideas may come later. It is optimal to start working on an admission essay at least a month before the deadline.
The structure of an admission essay
Specific phrases, structure, and content vary depending on the type of essay or the applicant’s desire, but there are elements that it is desirable to include in any admission essay.
The approach is this: an admission essay is like a letter to the admission committee, so you may use elements like appeal, thanks, and signature, although some guys write the headline – Admission Essay – and get straight to the point. Nevertheless, I will tell you how to write essays and what I recommend to you.
The first section is an appeal to the reader of the essay. Here it should be understood where it is going: to which committee, department, and commission. If it is not possible to identify the addressee, a classic appeal like Dear Sir or Madam works, although it is outdated in the current inclusive time, it still remains in use. Sometimes To Whom It May Concern is used, but, in my opinion, it is as detached and impersonal as possible, do not start with it.
Then the introduction comes. Depending on the preferences of the author and the format, you can introduce yourself both creatively and formally. Here, indicate which program, university, or scholarship you are applying for. You can also express in general terms the desire to study in a particular program and highlight your strengths.
In the introduction, examples, and specifics are not as important as in the body of the essay. If you are writing a creative essay without a strict structure, you can skip the greeting altogether.
The introduction is followed by the main part; it explains to the admissions committee or foundation why the applicant is suitable for the program or wants to study at a particular university, how studying will be useful to them, and also why they are the right person.
The last part: conclusion, hopes for early cooperation, and signature. In conclusion, you can summarize what was said in the essay in one sentence or give non-obvious information that did not fit the main part but that the author considers necessary.