Writing a college entrance essay is a must for students when applying for admission to a college. College entrance essay is a requirement in the college entrance application process. Students are required to write an essay on a topic given by the college or a topic selected by the student as an answer to a question asked by the college. The topics and the questions are designed so that the responses can help the selection committee members to evaluate the students’ character traits, choices, preferences and viewpoints.
Topics for Writing College Entrance Essay

Selection of a topic for the college entrance essay also called college admission essay can become a difficult task because of the diversity of topics and the essay questions given by the colleges. But the purpose of giving essay topics and writing the essays is the same. The students have to select topics that are helpful for them to show their suitability to be admitted to the college they are applying. Most of the topics are for the students to reflect on themselves. Students shall use this type of topics to write a personal narrative essay highlighting their good attributes relevant to the program they are applying for.
Examples of College Entrance Essay Questions

Before writing a college entrance essay students can learn about the type of essay questions and the topics given by the colleges. They can gain knowledge to select their admission essay topic by looking at the essay topics and the essay questions given by some of the colleges. Here are some essay questions used by some of the colleges you may be planning to apply for.

1. What have you undertaken or done on your own in the last year or two that has nothing to do with academic work? (Northwestern)
2. Tell us about the neighborhood that you grew up in and how it helped shape you into the kind of person you are today. (Yale and the University of Chicago)
3. Read Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Drawing upon personal experience, write a creative, reflective or provocative essay. (Notre Dame)
4. Evaluate a significant experience or achievement that has special meaning to you. (Harvard)
5. Tell us about the most embarrassing moment of your life. (Santa Clara University)
What Shouldn’t be Done when Writing the College Entrance Essay

The students should avoid writing the obvious and also repetitive words and contents. They shouldn’t write vague statements like helping the people, doing a service to the world etc. There should be specific examples and clarity of what student expect to communicate. When writing the entrance essay the students can avoid controversial topics. In the same way, judgemental ideas on religious, political and ethnic fervor should be avoided. Students shall show their best face, but it may be very disadvantageous to overplay it. The tone of the essay should not be arrogant and self centered.

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