· having another person read the essay
aloud. Note their facial reaction to see if they
are satisfied as they proceed.
· setting the revised draft aside again
for an interlude and then coming back for
another reading.
In rereading your essay evaluate your choice of
words. You should avoid: (1) using
complex or elegant words merely to impress the
reader; (2) using words in unnecessary
excessive numbers that do not serve to clarify
your thoughts; (3) repetition, since mak-
ing your point once should be
enough.
The Final Check
After carefully evaluating your essay for the
varied parameters that were previously
defined, and critically checking your word
usage, you should give your essay one final
review. This should be done after a brief
interlude following the last revision and editing
the text. Once completed you should prepare a
neat copy using a computer and laser
printer. Naturally, where a hand-written copy
is required, print it rather than use script, if
your penmanship is poor. The goal is to make
your essay look good and clearly readable.
This should be done by double-spacing, making
use of high-quality 81/2
× 11-inch paper,
and leaving a one-inch margin all around. Make
sure to stay within the word guidelines
set by the school. If necessary, find a way to
reduce the text to meet the limit set.
The next phase involves proofreading your
near-finished product. You may wish to
show it to one or more responsible and
qualified individuals to read it carefully and
offer their frank comments.
If you still feel insecure about the state of
your essay, you can set it aside while it is
being reviewed by outsiders and await their
comments and reaction. In making your
final review, focus your attention on spelling
and punctuation. If you are distracted by
the meaning of the text, then try and read the
sentences not only forward but also back-
ward. This will facilitate being able to
concentrate on the spelling. Particular attention
should be paid to words that are similar (such
as there and their). When uncertain, check
a dictionary for spelling, even after
spell-checking on your computer.
After receiving comments from others about your
draft essay, if rewording one or
two sentences or even changing several words or
clarifying an idea are called for--
suggestions that you agree with--by all means
make them. However, if you are urged to
drastically alter your essay with numerous
radical alterations, try and resist making such
changes that will, drastically, alter your
essay into someone else's. To "polish" your
essay to this point may prove self-defeating
because it may raise questions in the reader's
mind that the essay is too good, and whether it
is really yours. By this means its value
can be diluted and you may not fully benefit
from your efforts at change, and possibly
even be hurt.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
__________________________________
As part of your college application you will be
asked to describe what extracurricular
activities you have been participating in.
Since the space allotment for this information
may be substantial, you should not panic if
your response does not fill all or even most
of the available space.
You need to realize that the number of listed
activities will not be counted up by the
committee, so padding your profile of
extracurricular activities can be self-defeating.
The issue that is important is not only the
nature of your outside activities, but the extent
of your commitment to them. In other words, the
admissions committee wants to know
the importance you place on the individual
activities you are or were involved in during
your free time. Your list provides an
indication of your interests and talents. Since such
activities vary widely among applicants, it
indicates your potential contribution toward
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