Authenticity. It’s important in more things than just writing, but for the aspiring
college student, we argue, it’s almost everything. That may be a shock for some of
you, after all, isn’t the point of your college admissions essays to be well written and
engaging, impressing your reader. Yes, and no, read below and you can find out why.
- You Want to Stand Out? Try Being Real:
Maybe you think you don’t have any life experiences worth writing about, and that’s
ok. The point is to write about something that is significant to you. Maybe that is
summers playing baseball and what you learned on the field, or maybe your
grandmother passed away and it affected you profoundly. Those are real things, and
while they are things that happen to most other people, the trick is conveying them
in a way that makes the reader see you can communicate well, and that you can
impart feeling and wisdom of your own through your writing.
- But What About People With Great Stories?:
Think you won’t be competitive because John Doe wrote about his summer trip
teaching orphaned kids how to read? Don’t sweat it. Yes, it makes for a compelling
and emotional story, but what they are looking for is excellent communication and a
sense of who you are as a person. They won’t get a feel of that if you aren’t being
authentic. In fact, if you’re being fake in order to impress them, they will tell right
away. Don’t let that happen.
- What If It’s Hard for Me To Communicate Authenticity?
We get it, no one said it would be easy, but it’s important. If this is a challenge for
you, try keeping a journal in the short term. When you make your entries, try to
write as if someone else was reading about a day in your life. The events are real, the
only thing you have to practice is communicating them well, and delivering for your
reader that emotional response.
If the ability to write in an authentic fashion escapes you, it’s ok. That’s why AGP is
here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation and see how we can improve
more than just your writing skills.