Intro/hook: Last November, I accidentally became a firefighter.Remember, your audience will not be reading your essay closely! Never write in a way that could confuse the reader. Whatever structure you choose, it should be clear and easy to follow, and it should be feasible to keep it within the word count. Multiple drafts of the same essay are key to a good final product. In that case, it’s fine to try something else.
Once you begin writing, you may find that the structure you’d originally chosen doesn’t quite work. Once you’ve finished brainstorming topics but before you start writing, think about your writing’s trajectory: how you’ll start the essay, develop it, and end it.ĭo you want to organize it chronologically? Would you prefer to make a “sandwich” structure by introducing a topic or idea, moving away from it, and then coming back to it at the end? There’s a variety of options (and a pair of strong examples below), but make sure you consider how you’d like to structure the essay before you start writing.Īlthough you should organize your thoughts in an outline, you don’t have to stick to it strictly. Say everything that you need to express to get your point across, but don’t use more words than necessary, and don’t repeat yourself. Because you’re limited in length, make sure that you write concisely. Most successful essays are 500–600 words.
Most importantly, ensure that you stick to the word count. You don’t need a title for your essay, but you can include one, especially if you think it will add something important. If you choose to attach a file, ensure that it is a PDF. Your essay will be easier for admissions officers to read if it is 1.5- or double-spaced. Keep in mind that, if you’re pasting your essay into a text box, formatting like italics may not transfer. Admissions officers need to work very quickly, so fancy formatting, unnecessary flourishes, and unique fonts will come off as more distracting than individual. You should keep the formatting as simple as possible.