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Writing a Great Essay for your College Applications

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A quick guide to writing an essay that will gain the attention of college admission officials as high schoolers search for the perfect college. Use this guide to help you choose a topic, draft your essay, check (and re-check) your stellar words, and avoid the pitfalls of essay writing. (Remember to ask someone else to proofread it before you send it!).
Created by Author Sundar Kadayam

Subject: Higher Education

Writing a Great Essay for your College Applications
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Section

What WILL You Write About? Selecting a Topic

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The best essays are written about topics, issues and events that mean the most to you.

Essay Edge: Selecting a Topic

http://www.quintcareers.com/collegegate2.html

The College Board: College Essay Topics

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/109.html

SparkNotes.com: What Should I Write About?

http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page13.html

SparkNotes.com: Choosing Your Topic

http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page14.html

About.com: Getting Started on Your College Application Essay

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/collegeessay.htm

AskDave.com:: Should Parents Help with College Admission Essays?

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/should_parents_help_students_with_college_admission_essays.html

Vault.Com: Admission Essay Central

http://www.vault.com/graddegree/admissions/adminessayslists.jsp?ch_id=600&gclid=CPfHtYaEjZACFQIQFQodMWg2uA
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Think Before You Write!

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The best essay starts with a clear thought plan. Here are some brainstorming tips.

Essay Edge: Brainstorming

http://www.quintcareers.com/collegegate1.html

The College Board: Recipe for a Draft

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/111.html

Accepted.com: Mining Your Identity

http://www.accepted.com/college/miningyouridentity.aspx
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Sitting Down at the Computer: Time to Put Words to Paper!

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Tips for the actual composition, editing, proofreading and finalization of your essay.

Essay Edge: Tips for Writing Your College Essay

http://www.quintcareers.com/collegegate3.html

The College Board: Three Steps to a Great College Essay

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9405.html

The College Board: College Essay Writing Tips

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9406.html

SparkNotes.com: Writing the Rough Draft

http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page16.html

SparkNotes.Com: Final Edits

http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page20.html

SparkNotes.com: Grammar and Punctuation

http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page19.html
I had Sister Mary Protasia's help with grammar. How will YOU check your essay?

Accepted.com: Do's and Don't's

http://www.accepted.com/college/dosdonts.aspx
Twenty quick-and-easy tips to remember as you write.
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Sample College Essays

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Sample essays for you to peruse...but don't plagiarize! Use these as guides to write your OWN great essay.

Essay Edge: Writing Successful College Essays

http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_essay.html
Tips and sample essays.

The College Board: Sample Essay 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9407.html

The College Board: Sample Essay 2

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9408.html

SparkNotes.com: Sample Essays

http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page21.html

Accepted.com: Sample Essays

http://www.accepted.com/college/sampleessays.aspx
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Books & Resources That Can Help

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Amazon.com: Books about college essays

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/103-9389861-2167012?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=college+essays&x=0&y=0

Barnes & Noble: Books about college essays

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=college+essays&z=y

EssayAdvice.com: EssayAdvice.com in the News!

http://www.essayadvice.com/newschronicle.asp
What some online companies offer, promise and deliver when they sell you their essay services.
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Plagiarism: Faking it WILL Get You Into Trouble!

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College Admission Essays: Plagiarism

http://www.collegeadmissionsessays.com/plagiarism.php

Associated Content: A Trend in Cheating Across College Campuses

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/22557/plagiarism_a_trend_in_cheating_across.html

GWHatchet.com: Cheating in the Information Age

http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/1997/12/04/News/Online.Essays.Cheating.In.The.Information.Age-25643.shtml
Once you get into college, cheating and plagiarism continue to plague students.

Coastal Carolina University: Cheating 101: Internet Paper Mills

http://www.coastal.edu/library/presentations/mills2.html
Check here if the online resource you're considering is on the faculty's watch list.
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Videos about College Essay Writing

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Watch the advice!

Kewego.com: College Essay Tips...

http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoaftADo.html
Students give real-life advice.

Education Portal: How to Write an Effective Admissions Essay

http://education-portal.com/videos/How_to_Write_an_Effective_Admissions_Essay_Video.html
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