Essay

米国大出願 refers to an essay written in English. Here are some specific thoughts on essay writing:

• essays - ApplyingToCollege

  • This page contains a lot of helpful information (blu3mo).

• I think there are two micro-expression techniques that I often use:

  • The use of similes/metaphors
    • I use this technique to add color to my writing and make it easier to imagine by comparing things. For example, I might compare my knowledge base to a secret base.
  • Micro scene descriptions
    • Instead of saying “start reading,” I might say “start flipping the page” to create a stronger sense of storytelling.

• Evaluating the quality of my own essays is quite difficult, as I struggle to determine if I can confidently say they are good.

  • I wrote about this in 9.
  • Therefore, it is very helpful to receive feedback from mentors or reviewers on how good they think my essays are. While giving a numerical score out of 100 might not be appropriate, having some form of evaluation in that direction would be useful.

• What is essay writing ultimately about?

  • It seems to be a comprehensive competition that requires a combination of skills, particularly 1 and 4, but also 2 and 3.

• Analysis of existing essays

• It might be interesting to consider what differences would arise if someone else had the same academic interest.

  • This would make the essay more than just an explanation of academic interests.
  • Since rickshinmi and I have relatively similar academic interests but different personalities, I am thinking about the differences that would arise if Rick wrote an essay compared to myself.

• The Personal Essay： AdmissionsMom’s Step-by-Step Guide Fall 2021

  • The most important aspect of the essay is not the topic itself, but rather the character, thoughts, values, and beliefs that emerge from it.
  • Instead of building a wall between the reader and myself, I should aim to build a bridge.
    • Things that can create a barrier: complicated language, overly elaborate structure, an essay that doesn’t feel like it was written by the person, and an excessive amount of telling instead of showing.
    • The goal is to create a human connection.
  • It’s hard to say if an “essay that works” truly works.
    • It might be better not to read it.
    • If anything, essays that universities publicly declare as “good” like the ones in JHU Essays that worked 2024 might be worth reading.
    • Also, https://thisibelieve.org/ is recommended because the essays written there are not intended to impress, but rather to express innermost values.
    • Personally, I feel that if I start analyzing these essays, I will spend more time on analysis and less time writing, so it’s probably best to focus on writing without reading them first (blu3mo).
  • STEP TWO: WRITE FOR FUN
    • This can be done on Scrapbox, which is great (blu3mo).
  • I LOVE… I VALUE… I BELIEVE… One minute exercise
  • It’s not just about “showing, not telling,” but rather “showing and telling.”
    • Reflection is necessary in addition to just showing an episode.
    • “More expressing, Less Impressing.”
  • Analyze the prompt.
    • This is something I’m familiar with from TOK, so it’s good.
  • Take a walk or a long shower.
    • This is important, as mentioned in Shower.
  • https://themostdangerouswritingapp.com is helpful.
    • Choosing a random theme and continuously writing with this app might help generate ideas.
  • Done is better than perfect
  • The thumb test
    • Have someone read your essay without knowing it’s yours and see if they can tell it’s yours.
      • It might be fun to play a game where several people read essays with the names hidden and try to guess who wrote each one (just for fun) (kaya).
    • Consider whether your voice comes through in the essay.
  • Edit
    • Look for any bumps or obstacles that hinder the flow of reading.
    • A smooth essay that is easy to read is ideal.
  • More resources to check later.

• Inside the Yale Admissions Office

  • Should I read this first?- First impression, it’s like creating an atmosphere.

• I really want to meet and talk in person, but that’s not possible, so I think an essay is the best alternative.

• So, it should be something that gives a sense of what it would be like to meet and talk.

• The essay should have a voice that can be felt (if someone else writes the essay, that voice will be lost, so it’s not good).

• It’s good to tie the pieces together (it doesn’t have to be a direct reference, but it should give the feeling that it’s the same person).

• What works:

  • Stories that change the way of thinking or perception are good.
  • Interactions with others
    • From there, we can see how the person interacts with others in the college community.
  • Passion
    • Why that passion is born, reflective.
  • It seems that reflection is quite important.

• What doesn’t work:

  • Even if you can write a wonderful novel, it’s not good if it becomes a “so what” story.
  • Overdramatizing
    • It’s good to have an interesting story, but if you focus too much on storytelling and lack reflection, it’s not good.
  • Stuck in the past
    • It’s okay to start with a story from elementary school and refer to growth, but it’s tough if the story ends there.
  • Rehashing activities
    • Each element to be submitted should support each other.
  • Death of a grandparent essay
    • It’s predictable that the punchline is “my grandfather passed away.”
  • Trying to shock the admission officer
    • (e.g., bathroom humor)
    • Trying to attract attention through shock.
    • “You won’t shock me.”
  • “Unlike most other applicants”
    • It makes others feel ungenerous.
  • Gimmicky essays
    • Like a letter to a future roommate.
    • Using too much space to make the gimmick work.
  • Failure stories without redemption or reflection.
  • Being too philosophical
    • Trying too hard to appear smart by using difficult words.
    • My own Yanaigai essay may have this problem.
      • I feel like I resolved it during interview preparation.
    • Well, if it’s in English, there shouldn’t be a problem with having a high vocabulary.