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How To Write a Foolproof College Application Essay

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Uploaded by on Jun 6, 2008

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Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

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Most college essays are so full of crap you could plant a forest in them.

Don't be a forest-enabling loser; write an essay that reads right and rings true.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Time to think and write
Pen and paper, or a computer
Somebody you trust

Step 1: What makes you unique

Think about what makes you unique. You want to pick a subject that no other applicant could possibly write about.

Tip: It could be your background—maybe you grew up as the only child of two acrobats. Or it could be a personal experience, the more unusual the better.

Step 2: Ask friends & relatives

Ask friends and relatives what makes you special. This could be embarrassing, especially if they don't respond, but it could also help you identify something you hadn't considered.

Step 3: Write first draft

Once you've picked a subject, write a first draft of your essay. Don't worry about making it perfect—just get your thoughts on paper.

Tip: Avoid gimmicks—admissions officers have seen them all. For example, don't write your essay from the perspective of your dog.

Step 4: Read over essay

Read over your essay. Then read it again aloud—does it sound like you? Cut out any unnecessary paragraphs, sentences, and adverbs.

Step 5: Find editors

Find a couple good editors. English teachers, relatives—anyone whose opinion you trust and who will be honest about what does and does not work.

Step 6: Make revisions

Make the revisions you agree with and, when you're done, review your essay carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes. An otherwise perfect essay can be ruined by sloppy typos.Now send it off and relax... nobody will be planting a forest in your crap.

Thanks for watching How To Write a Foolproof College Application Essay! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

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  • likes, 13 dislikes

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Top Comments

  • i think i'm worrying too much about my

    eassy i've watch like 20 video about

    college eassy on youtube in the past 5 days.

  • ....hes writing with a green marker like a five year old.....amazing......and hes applying to college

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All Comments (152)

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  • @sk8tinglas HAHA!

  • @adreanmarie Lol.

  • 13 people didnt get into college :(

  • I don't trust any one to read my college essay.

    Maybe Steve?

    NO! Steve is a pretentious douche bag.

  • "Now send it off and relax." REALLY?!

  • he's old why is he applying for college?

  • but what if there's nothing special about you? :<

  • @cvhashim Yeah, lol look up how to write a job resume by howcast, the relative in prison gets taught how to write a resume hahaha!

  • @mhlover25 Yeah, lol look up how to write a job resume by: howcast, the relative in prison gets taught how to write one hahaha!

  • @mhlover25 lol i didn't notice that

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