College Essay Writing Workshop

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College Essay Writing Workshop

• Entrepreneurship
• Mr. Rodrigues

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Why go to College?

• Going to College or Technical School increases
  your chances of finding a better, high paying
  job.
• US Government Statistics 2001
• High School Drop-Out 22,100
• High School Graduate 33,056
• College Graduate 54,704 (Bachelors Degree)

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College is not for everyone

• You can earn a good living without attending a
  college
• Other ways of making money
• Trade School
• Plumbers making Six-digits
• Specialty Machinists
• Military
• Construction
• Sports
• Associates Degrees / Certificates

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The Times they are A-Changing

• The High School Diploma has become a MUST !!
• There are not as many unskilled labor jobs
  available in the USA anymore
• Outsourcing and offshore manufacturing have
  eliminated many low-skill, good-wage jobs
• Made in China
• Technology and Automation

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Writing a College Essay

• A College Essay is a lot like a cover letter
• It is designed to answer
• Why are apply to this School ?
• What have you done to distinguish yourself ?
• Can you write or think ?
• Colleges use the essays to learn more about you
• They can make or break being accepted into a
  school !!

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College Essays

• Sometimes college essays are Free-Response
• Attach a one page summary of your
  qualifications
• Other times the school will provide you with a
  specific writing prompt.
• Why do you feel that the University of Pittsburgh
  is the right school for you ?
• Describe a challenging obstacle that you have had
  to overcome. Explain how it changed you.
• More Examples
• http//www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-sk
  ills/108.html
• They are generally short---500 words or less

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College Essay Writing Tips

• If you have a choice, choose the topic you are
  most comfortable with
• Being genuine is easier than being something you
  are not
• Use your own voice
• Show what you know
• Keep the focus Narrow
• Be simple and straightforward, dont get lost in
  what you are writing
• Dont be too wordy
• Be specific
• Provide examples of what you have done
• Proof-Read
• Spelling Errors are only acceptable once you are
  a High School Teacher, making PowerPoint
  Presentations for your students