Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • SAT/ACT TestFlip
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Strategic Reading Club
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • College Essay Coaching
    • Roots2Words
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact
August 22, 2016 by Mike Bergin

College Essay Tip: WRITE AS YOURSELF

Outstanding SAT & ACT scores are simply one step towards admission to your dream school. Craft an application essay that takes you all the way by applying our 7 Steps to an Amazing College Essay. Step 2 is to WRITE AS YOURSELF:
 

essaystarburstToo many applicants write their essays the way they think they should, not the way they actually write. Adopting a formal or unfamiliar style is a MISTAKE.

Obviously, your tone should be appropriate to this somewhat formal task, as opposed to the style you might adopt when texting or talking to your friends. At the same time, make sure your distinct style shines through. Be yourself, but remember your setting.

  • Be genuine: write in your own voice.
  • Be honest. Don’t lie or embellish the truth. In your essay as in all other things, honesty is the best policy!
  • Be cautious in your efforts to be funny. Humor, especially in writing, can easily backfire.
  • Once you’ve completed your essay, read it aloud. Does this essay truly sound like you?

 
After reading thousands of essays, any admissions professional can separate the authentic from the affected. Your essay should not just be about you, but actually sound like you.
 
[If you think you’ve read this before, maybe you have. We share our 7 Steps to an Amazing College Essay every summer to support all of the hard working high schoolers striving towards their most successful college applications!]

admissions essay

Previous articleCollege Essay Tip: WRITE ABOUT YOURSELFNext article College Essay Tip: WRITE THE RIGHT PROMPT
Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

Latest Posts

  • What Does ‘Smart’ Mean in the 21st Century
  • How to Read Percentiles
  • Do SAT & ACT Subscores Matter?
  • Evaluating College ROI
  • What to Read This Summer

What is TestFlip?

Learn about the ultimate in self-directed supplemental SAT/ACT prep, powered by Chariot Learning:

  • You have no idea what you can "survive" until you have no choice!
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    You have no idea what you can "survive" until you have no choice!
  • Life is about
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Life is about 'not knowing' and then doing something anyway. Get good at it!
  • Being intelligent is not a felony but may get you in trouble anyway ;)
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Being intelligent is not a felony but may get you in trouble anyway ;)
  • Set goals that are *almost* out of reach.
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Set goals that are *almost* out of reach.
  • Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. Here
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. Here's to your success!
  • Be patient when becoming someone you haven
    by chariotlearning 6 days ago
    Be patient when becoming someone you haven't been before.
  • When someone says you can
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    When someone says you can't do it, do it twice and take pictures!
  • Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and
    by chariotlearning 2 days ago
    Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

PARENT GROUP AND NEWSLETTER

Are you an Upstate New York parent with questions about college admissions, testing, and scholarships? The Upstate NY College Conversations Facebook group is for you. Join today!

And also sign up for College Road, our free email newsletter delivering expert educational advice, test news, admissions action steps, special offers, and more.

Upcoming Events

  1. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Summer Mornings 2022

    July 6 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  2. SAT/ACT Online Flipped Class – July 2022

    July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  3. Practice SAT – Brighton (7/8/22)

    July 8 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  4. Practice ACT – Pittsford Library (7/12/22)

    July 12 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  5. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Summer Evenings 2022

    July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

View All Events

Testimonials

We were very pleased with our experience with Chariot Learning. We felt like our daughter was receiving personalized, thoughtful, reasoned advice. The process was very collaborative, with our needs and wants respected.

Jeff, Pittsford dad

Read more testimonials...
© 2022 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.