Private School Admissions Essay
Many students do not realize how important it is to have a well-written writing sample for the private school admissions process. It is not just a simple miscellany of personal information. It is a translation of the student’s personality and intellectual ability, along with his or her elementary or middle school experiences, onto a few pieces of paper.
A foremost tool an applicant has to express his or her uniqueness is the admissions essay. Topics range from the specific (“Discuss a book that has influenced you”) to the extremely general (“Tell us something meaningful about you”). More often than not, admissions officers will give an open-ended writing prompt in an attempt to solicit creative answers that reveal something personal about the applicant. This is because they are inundated with formulaic essays. In a given day, the private school admissions committee goes over hundreds of essays. When they finally come across one that is unusual or funny, they are overjoyed.
Basic 4 + 4 + 5 Writing Strategy:
First Paragraph:
Sentence #1: General Sentence on Topic
Sentence #2: “First, …” (Main Idea #1)
Sentence #3: “Second, …” (Main Idea #2)
Sentence #4: General Sentence on Topic
Second Paragraph:
Sentence #1: General Sentence on Main Idea #1
Sentence #2: “First, …” or “For example, …”
Sentence #3: “Second, …” or “Also, …” or “Next, …”
Sentence #4: “Third, …” or “Finally, …”
Third Paragraph:
Sentence #1: General Sentence on Main Idea #2
Sentence #2: “First, …” or “For example, …”
Sentence #3: “Second, …” or “Also, …” or “Next, …”
Sentence #4: “Third, …” or “Finally, …”
Sentence #5: “In conclusion, …” (Summarizes both Main Ideas)
Sample Essay Using the 4 + 4 + 5 Strategy
Sample Writing Prompts
Why do you want to attend this school?
Describe a person who has had a great influence on your life.
If you had to design an amusement park, what would you do?
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
If you had to design a rollercoaster, what would you do?
If you found a $100 bill on the floor of the school office, what would you do?
What is your idea of a good teacher?
If you were governor, what would you do to improve the quality of life in Hawaii?
If you were principal, what would you do to improve your school?
What would you do on a weekend if you had no homework or other obligations?
Describe a tradition in your family.
Describe an event that has had an impact on your life.
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