{"id":54204,"date":"2022-02-21T05:53:44","date_gmt":"2022-02-21T12:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=54204"},"modified":"2022-02-21T05:53:46","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T12:53:46","slug":"how-to-create-the-first-draft-of-your-application-essay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/how-to-create-the-first-draft-of-your-application-essay\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create the First Draft of Your Application Essay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Let\u2019s<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You now have a clear sense of what makes an essay effective. You have reflected on the questions that helped you identify and develop your theme. Now it\u2019s time to start writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you begin, draft an outline, even if it\u2019s only a very informal list of the main points you want to cover. Based on the answers you jotted down to the questions from the second blog post in this series<\/a>, you should have a robust list of experiences, anecdotes, and ideas for possible inclusion in your essay. If you have more examples and ideas than you can use, so much the better. You can \u201cspread the wealth\u201d among different essay questions and for different schools. This will also keep the task of writing a fresher experience for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s break the job down further to keep the task manageable. First, how long is your essay? Grad school application essays can range from as short as 250 words to more than 700. Ironically, it\u2019s much harder to write a very short, very good essay than it is to write a very good, longer one. Writing a super-short essay is like being six feet tall and stuck in a coach airline seat \u2013 you\u2019re going to feel cramped even when writing as economically as possible. You have little room to add the colorful context and details that can be so helpful. On the other hand, you must pare your story to its essence, and there is strength in that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assuming you have more leg room, so to speak, and have 700 words, you still have to divide that real estate among your introduction, the main body, and conclusion. Dividing your essay like this will help you gauge how much you can afford to write in each section. However, while keeping that in mind, do not worry too much about overwriting at first. Your first drafts can have a \u201crelaxed\u201d length, because it\u2019s important for you to write what you feel you want and need to say. As you edit, you will trim and pare down to the most essential material that fits, including only the most salient, compelling experiences, insights, and anecdotes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is hard to edit yourself, however.\u00a0Having an expert editor on hand to help you with the trimming can be a huge asset<\/a>, saving you time, helping you make final content decisions that will work in your best interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In post #1<\/a> and post #3<\/a> we admired some strong introductions. But don\u2019t get hung up on crafting the perfect introduction before moving on to the rest of the essay. Many people freeze up if they don\u2019t know how to start their essay. Then guess what happens? Nothing. Days go by and they still haven\u2019t begun. Here\u2019s a writing secret: you don\u2019t have to start at the beginning.<\/em> Start with any section of the essay where you feel confident \u2013 start in the middle where you know a story you want to tell, or start with a conclusion you have in mind. Often, the perfect introduction will come to you when you are well into writing the rest of the essay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, keep in mind the picture you want to paint of yourself to the admissions committee. What three adjectives do you want them to connect with you after they have read your application?<\/a> As you read your draft, are those same adjectives (determined, focused, empathetic, clear-thinking, etc) shouting out at you? Stay focused on how best to paint the picture of that talented, purpose-driven individual through your own lively, meaningful examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course, never, ever simply claim <\/em>to be something without backing it up with evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary Tips:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n