Platinum Level Essays

• Communicates 3 distinct messages about the student easily discernable to an unknown reader.

• Follows an A-B-C-D structure:

  • (A) Starting point / origin story.

  • (B) Then student had an Insight/Realization/New Perspective = thesis/POV for essay.

  • (C) Tell what happened AFTER the Insight/Realization/New Perspective up to today – how did you use that Insight/Realization/New Perspective to impact your life and community.

  • (D) Looking forward, how will you use this Insight/Realization/New Perspective as a college student.

• Infuses specificity and quantifiable information (names, numbers, titles) everywhere possible.

• Eliminates all redundancy of messages.

• Laser-focus on key message of story vs. background / lead-up info.

 

Gold Level Essays

• Opens with a ~100-word slice-of-life, present-tense story.

• Includes a forward-looking statement in conclusion of your life as a college student.

• Uses “bookend” technique to reference opening slice of life in the conclusion.

• Highlights bilingualism, biculturalism, FG/LI specifics (if applicable) in essay.

• Utilizes “literary” technique, such as alliteration or metaphor.

 

Silver Level Essays

• Answers prompt in first 100 words.

• Centered on high school timeframe.

• Does not open with a 3-5 word “hook” sentence in italics.

• Each paragraph stands on its own and tells its own story.

 

Basic Level Essays

• Left aligned.

• Uses paragraphs with line break between.

• No inappropriate capitalization.

• No re-use of words in same paragraph.

• Does not rely on childhood stories.

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Additional:

• Complete your student resume with Summary/elevator pitch, dates, #hours before starting apps.

• Maximize use of all character counts for Activity ROLE and ORGANIZTION to tell your story.