How to Write a Winning College Application Essay, Revised 4th Edition: Revised 4th Edition

Get into the College of Your Dreams

An original and creative essay is one of the keys to getting into the college you've always dreamed of, as well as to getting the financial aid youdeserve. This book gives you everything you need to make your own unique talents shine in your college application essay. Even if writing is not your strong point, author Michael James Mason showsyou:

-Exactly what admissions officers look for

-What works-and what doesn't, using actual student essays

-Proven techniques for writing your best essay

-Special tips for SAT and scholarship essays

-A last-minute checklist before you submit your essay

-And much more

Well written, very useful, andhighly recommended. -Hunter's Guide to the College Guides

Demystifies one of the most important and challenging parts of the college applicationprocess-the personal essay. . . . An invaluable resource --Gail Devine, director of college counseling, Louisville High School, Woodland Hills, California

This book taught me what colleges look for in an essay and showed me how to effectively communicate my thoughts in writing. -Ryan Miller, University ofVirginia graduate

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Explains how to positively reveal one's personality and unique talents in a college application essay, describes what qualities impress admissions officers, and offers writing techniques and tips for scholarship and SAT essays.

\Michael James Mason has helped thousands of students at his College Essay Workshop and through the three previous editions of this book. A university faculty member, he lives with his family in Los Angeles, California.

Contents

Author's Note to the Fourth Edition

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. What's It All About?

2. The Admissions Officers Speak!

3. The History of You, Part One:

How to Build a Strong Personal Information Profile . . . and What to Do with It

4. Go to Commercial

5. Do's and Don'ts

6. It's Showtime!

7. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Sample Essays

8. Under Pressure: The SAT II: Writing Test

9. The Graduate School Essay

10. "It's Only Money!": Writing Essays for Scholarships

11. Final Touches

Bibliography

Index