How to Write Better Sentences for College Application Essays

While your GPA, extracurriculars, and resume are a large portion of the college application process, writing the personal statement and supplemental essays can often be the most difficult piece of the puzzle. These college essays are an important part of the college application process because it gives the admissions committee a chance to get to know the applicant beyond their grades, test scores, and activities. The essay can reveal something about an applicant's personality, goals, and values that may not be apparent from other parts of the application. It can also help the admissions committee to understand the applicant's motivation for attending college and to evaluate their writing skills. Finally, the essay can serve as a writing sample and demonstrate the applicant's ability to organize and express their thoughts clearly.

Here are some steps you can follow to create better sentences throughout your college essays:

  1. Start with a clear idea of what you want to say. Before you begin writing, take a moment to think about the main idea or purpose of your sentence.

  2. Use strong, descriptive words. Choose words that are specific and vivid to help convey your meaning more effectively.

  3. Use active voice. In active voice, the subject of the sentence is performing the action. This makes the sentence more direct and engaging.

  4. Use varied sentence structure. Mixing up the structure of your sentences helps to keep your writing interesting and easier to read.

  5. Pay attention to grammar and punctuation. Proper grammar and punctuation helps to ensure that your writing is clear and easy to understand.

  6. Revise and edit your work. Take the time to review and refine your sentences to make sure they are as effective and well-written as possible.