How to Write a Winning College Application Essay, 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 you deserve. 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 shows you:
·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, and highly recommended." —Hunter's Guide to the College Guides
"Demystifies one of the most important and challenging parts of the college application process—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 of Virginia graduateContents
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
IndexGet into the College of Your DreamsMichael 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.Recommended in USA Today! Founder and Director of the College Essay Workshop