Using a Sample Essay About Myself in Writing an Essay Focusing on Self-discipline
Self-discipline is a highly respected trait in education, work, and life, in general. In fact, self-discipline is often regarded as one of the necessary ingredients for success. If you feel that you have a good level of self-discipline, you may want to consider writing your admission essay on the topic. Not only is it an admirable trait that has obvious ties to success, but displays of self-discipline are also a great subject for an essay that is moving and powerful. In the following article, you will learn about how to write a successful admission essay on the topic of self-discipline.
Recognizing self-discipline
Before you can write a personal statement on a topic, you have to explore all aspects of the topic. In this case, it’s important to know what self-discipline is and how you can recognize it. Basically, self-discipline is a character trait that has firm roots in fortitude and temperance. Recognizing self-discipline, means understanding associated actions and traits, like being hardworking, showing responsibility, and having self-control. Try to reflect on your character and what makes you such a self-disciplined person. You should also think of times when your discipline was tested to the limits, but you were able to prevail by sticking to your guns.
Getting a sample essay about myself to help you
So now you have a clear picture of what self-discipline is and why it is one of your personal traits. The next step to writing a successful admission essay is to get a sample essay about myself to guide you along your own writing assignment. Sample essays can be a great help, if you know how to use them. Here is some of the information that you get from a sample essay about myself:
* Get a clear picture of the format and tone of the essay.
* Understand how to develop themes and subjects.
* Get inspiration and motivation to write your own essay.
* See how the topic of self-discipline was discussed by other writers.
* Know the types of questions or topics that the admissions committees are expecting from you.
When using a sample essay about myself, remember that you are only using it as a guide and not as an essay to copy. Admissions committees are very experienced and they can probably tell if you are telling the truth or if you aren’t being sincere in your essay. Use these sample essays to help you write an essay that is a true, accurate, and interesting introduction of who you are and why you have what it takes to succeed in the school you are applying to.
Continue your practice of self-discipline
It can take a while to come up with an admission essay that you are completely satisfied with, so make sure to practice self-discipline and patience throughout the process. You may be required to write, edit, and re-write your essay before it comes out the way you want it to. Also, make sure to ask others to check your essay for errors or any other improvements that you can make. Finally, remember that your mission for success and self-discipline does not end with getting accepted to your school of choice. Make the conscious decision to continue your dedication to self-discipline so you can succeed not only in college but in all aspects of your life.
Photo Credit : DRB62
Getting into your dream school is a long and tedious process. That is why it is a common sight to see the sad and frustrated look at the faces of students who did not see their names on the admission list. Well, it is normal to mourn over the loss but it should not hinder you to go on and pursue a college education.
About myself: analyze your mistakes.
If you fail to get admitted at your dream school, take this as the opportunity to assess yourself and have a good “about myself” session. It will be a good chance to analyze your mistakes that you may have committed during the application process and learn from those mistakes to do better next time. Examine carefully what went wrong; is it your “essay about myself,” your interview answers, or your grades? Read again your “essay on myself.” Was it too dramatic or desperate? There are many different factors; what is important is that you will be able to acknowledge them and give room for self-improvement.(1)
Look for other options.
Not getting into your dream school is not the end of the world. There are still many schools out there that offer similar features that you want from your dream school, whether it is the calibre of education, the environment, or tuition rates. You can still find other schools that offer the same curriculum or degree that you want. Just be patient enough to look for them because who knows? Maybe you will find your new school as enjoyable as your dream school or even more.(2)
Inquire about transfer programs.
Never lose hope. If you really want to be in that school, then wait for the next school year and apply again. It will be better if you maximize your options by looking into the possibility of transferring to your dream school after a year. Look for the schools that have the same degree that you want to pursue to avoid taking subjects that will not be credited as you transfer. After all, maybe this year is not just for you. Remember, patience is a virtue.(3)
(1) http://www.actstudent.org/college/mistakes.html
(2) http://www.morehouse.edu/campus_life/
(3) http://www.brcc.edu/services/advising/transfer/Default.htm
As a prospective college student who is going into the process of writing your “about myself” essay, it is common that you will browse the net to search for a sample “essay about myself” that will guide you and give you ideas on how to write an effective essay. But not all sample essays are worth your time. The following are just to site a few characteristics of a sample essay that you should be wary of.
The sample essay contains unforgivable grammar errors
It is imperative to note that in an “essay about myself,” there should have no room for grammatical errors. One of the objectives of writing this essay is to show the admissions panel that you know how to write well. So why will you waste time looking at sample essays full of grammatical errors? Well-written essays contain no errors whether grammatical or typographical. Knowing this one common mistake in writing an essay can help you in avoiding such lapses when making your own.(1)
The flow of ideas is not that clear or logical
When you notice that the sample “essay about myself” that you are reading seems to be too redundant and pointless, then it is definitely not a good example. Essays should be vivid and rational in presenting the topics that are being discussed. The essay’s structure should have a coherent flow of arguments, experiences, and accounts so the correct message will be conveyed to the readers. To develop a sense of spontaneity, thoughts should be organized properly in a narrative form to keep hold of the readers’ attention.(2)
You lost interest in it after reading the first paragraph
The introduction part of the admission essay is the most crucial part. Time and effort should be devoted in creating an introduction that will capture the attention of the readers. As you read those sample essays with dragging first paragraphs, try to put yourself in the shoes of the application committee. How will you find the interest to read further when the introductory part displeased you already? It is only then that you will be able to appreciate the value of the introduction and for sure, you are not going to repeat the same mistake in your own essay.(3)
(1) http://www.acm.edu/uploads/cms/documents/acm-writing-essay.pdf
(2) http://www.gradschools.com/Article/essay-writing-lesson4-transition/989.html
(3) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14347374/
Choosing the right college or university is a very important decision. If you don’t know where to apply to, the following can help you figure out which is better — a community college or a university.
Pros and cons of studying at community colleges
When you are the type of student who wants easy access to your instructors so you can easily consult any problems you have in your subject, then a community college is for you. This type of school tends to have fewer students in a class so there is a greater teacher to student ratio leading to more interaction. However, a community college may only offer an Associate of Arts degree and not a full four years degree that’s offered at universities. But these associate degrees are extremely useful for those who will eventually decide to go to a university.
In terms of the transition period from high school to the next level, a community college is easier though you are going to miss the independence part – living away from home – since most community colleges rarely offer housing inside the campus. But the best part is that this type of school will surely shed less of your money saved for college education since it has lower tuition rates.(1)
Pros and cons of studying at universities
Universities offer higher degrees such as the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctorates. But due to the high number of students, many classes in big universities are conducted at huge auditoriums full of students, each one trying to comprehend the lecture. Students are more often burdened by their tiresome experiences in trying to fit in to the schedule of their busy professors who are devoted to their whole publish-or-perish game. However, it can’t be denied that some university professors are some of the best among their chosen fields and once they are inside the classroom, no one can refute their excellence. The university environment requires a lot of adjustments. But this can be a proper training ground before you enter the real world. Just keep in mind that a university education is more expensive than any other community college education.(2)
About myself: what would suit you
Even before your write your “about myself” essay or admissions essay which is a common requirement for both institutions, you have to be aware of what you really want, and that includes whether you like to study in a community college or in a university. The right decision for your school of choice basically depends on your personality, and the type of environment that you find to be more conducive for learning and where you will be more productive. Basically, your “about my self” essay should have an explanation on why you want to study in a certain institution. So be sure that you write an honest “essay on myself” to land that spot in your dream school.(3)
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_college
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University
(3) http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-07-12-college-essays_N.htm
You have been preparing for it ever since you started school. You had worked yourself off to obtain the highest grades that you can. Your parents did their part by saving for it. But college is just too expensive. Fortunately, there are several financial aid and scholarship programs available in each college and university to help in fulfilling your dream.(1) However, the financial aid system of the country varies from district to
district or even school to school. So, the question now is how can you be able to get the best financial aid deal that will really suit you?
It should suit your current financial status
Just like looking for a pair of jeans that suits your current size, a financial aid program should meet your current financial status. If you or your parents have savings to provide for your tertiary education, then you do not necessarily need a full scholarship with other benefits. On the other hand, if you are in dire need of money and are sure that you can’t pursue your studies without financial aid, then go for full scholarships instead of the partial ones.
It should be flexible in terms of payment
Like a pair of jeans that can be worn comfortably anywhere, a financial aid program, particularly for student loans, should have flexible payment terms. You wouldn’t want a student loan which would practically hold you on your neck immediately after graduation. Stick to study grants and student loans from the government that can be deductable from your salary after graduation without totally compromising your income.(2)
It should be from a trusted agency or organization
Just like a pair of jeans from a trusted brand or retailer, your scholarship should be from a trusted agency or institution. After all, it’s money that you are dealing with. There are different kinds of reliable financial aids and scholarships available, such as grants and bursaries from the government, federal student loans, financial assistance programs from provincial aid organizations, and scholarships from private
institutions.(3)
To be able to get that scholarship, make sure that you come up with an excellent scholarship essay. Just like an admissions “essay on myself,” the scholarship essay should convince the readers that you deserve a slot. To help you write that scholarship essay on myself, try to read a sample essay about myself online. A well-written scholarship “myself essay” is clear, engaging, direct to the point, and is a reflection of your personality.
(1) http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/12.13/99-finaid.html
(2) http://www.yale.edu/admit/freshmen/financial_aid/index.html
(3) http://www.college.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_jgoGDnQG8nY0MDFws3AyPz0BB_Q2cfQwMDM_3g1Dz9cJAuPKoMIPIGOICjgb6fR35uqn6kfpQ5whSLEHdTA0-D0BBXd0M3A5BdkTmp6YnJlfoF2V4e5fmOigATc04e/dl2/d1/L0lJSklna2shL0lCakFBQ3lBQkVSQ0lBISEvWUZOQTFOSTUwLXchLzdfU1JTQ1FLQjMxOFRHNTBJMFVURUcxRjAwMDY!/?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_SRSCQKB318TG50I0UTEG1F0006_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/college/college/howtopay/learnwhatsavailable
College flicks have definitely been part of pop culture. These movies usually depict stereotypical cliques that rule the college campus set against crazy frat parties, wild nights, and exciting romance. But are these portrayals realistic?
How college life is portrayed in the movies
Future college students who have watched Hollywood college movies will surely, to some extent, form a conclusion about the nature of college life. Through the influence of media, young people, particularly those in college, are being portrayed as irresponsible and selfish students who devote their time to endless partying, drinking, engaging in pre-marital sex, and the like. There are students who ridicule their diligent classmates and brand them as “geeks” and “nerds” who do not belong to their group. Movies tend to focus on the negative habits and characters of the students. This kind of image among college students as showed by the media seems to cause an alarm for parents and prospective college students.
The real college life
It seems unfair that college students are being stereotyped in such a downbeat manner. Because in reality, majority of the young people in college are hardworking, and diligent in preparing for their midterms and finals and working on their class requirements. Most college students value their education a lot. Partying is part of college life but studies still remain to be the top priority of many. After all, going through the challenging college admissions process which includes writing an “essay on myself” will seem like a waste of time if partying and drinking all night is the real goal of many applicants. As a matter fact, many applicants spend months just to come up with a winning myself essay so as to land a spot in their dream school.
According to Dr. Myron Lounsbury, director of American Studies at the University of Maryland, ”There is no such thing as a movie that will give you a 100 percent portrayal of college life.”(1) It’s really unjust to label all college students with such indifference and apathy, which in reality only reflects a small portion of the actual students’ population.(2)
Making the best of your college life
Going to college doesn’t mean you have to hit the books every night and avoid having a social life. As a matter of fact, having a tight-knit social circle can help you get through difficult times.(3)
The secret in getting the best out of your college life is having a sense of balance. Balance between academics and social life. Nobody wants to spend four years or more of his or her life reading books alone; everybody deserves a break. Go out and meet people. Do not confine yourself between the walls of your room or the library. Learn to prioritize. Just always bear in mind the main purpose of your stay in college, which is to get a degree and expand your horizons.
(1) http://media.www.clarksonintegrator.com/media/storage/paper280/news/2002/03/04/Opinion/Students.Say.Hollywood.Fails.To.Portray.College.Realistically-204729.shtml
(2) http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,928628,00.html
(3) http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/feb2007/bs20070213_189035.htm
The personal statement for college application provides opportunity for prospective students to introduce themselves in a more personal manner more than just merely based on numerical grades. Knowing what to write about is very important for an appealing essay “about my self.” This is why knowing the topics to be avoided is also crucial to evade mistakes that can block your way to your dream school.
Achievements during your high school or grade school
These things are definitely not necessary since these may be reflected on your grades already. Plus, grades during your high school or grade school are irrelevant since it’s your college grades that are considered. This will just cause redundancy in the available information, thus leaving a negative impression to the reader because more often than not, it will really look like bragging.
Achievements in schools are obvious accomplishments and seem to be insignificant in assessing the real you since the primary goal of the essay is for the reader to know you personally. Focus instead on your experiences that lead you to be an achiever, or talk about achievements that are more profound and speaks more about your personality.(1)
Insignificant details or experiences
To maintain the compelling nature of your “essay about my self,” descriptive details of momentous experiences is a must. Writing your essay in a narrative form is better since this approach is more interesting. However, as your excitement while sharing your experiences flourish, you might dwell much into the details that you fail to see that the insignificant ones have also been included. Too much information can be boring and tiresome to read. So make it a point that you continuously polish and re-write your essay so that you will be able to eradicate these unsightly entries.(2)
Personal issues you won’t be able to do justice in your essay
A personal statement tends to be indeed personal that you might end up discussing intriguing questions and dilemmas that you encountered. If you wish to discuss sensitive issues in your “myself essay,” make sure that they’ll help the readers learn more about you. An effective “essay on myself” does not have room for irrationality, which is opening up a certain issue and discussing about it without making sense out of it. Thus, it is important to note that as a prospective student, you should have the ability to concretely come up with a conclusion to every personal issue that you will raise in your essay. This will provide an impression that you are capable of organizing your thoughts.(3)
(1) http://www.cmu.edu/hpp/achieve/pstips.html
(2) http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_98.aspx
(3) http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/articles/2006_01_06/sell_yourself_guidance_for_developing_your_personal_statement_for_graduate_school_applications
Getting into your dream school after high school can be quite tough, especially if you’re planning on enrolling into one of the top colleges or universities. However, with the right admissions essay, you can effectively market yourself and land that spot in your dream school.
Your essay as a form of self-advertisement
Grades are just mere numbers that say how good or bad you are in terms of academics, but your essay is an extension of who you are, the real person behind those grades. Through your essay, you will be able to make a distinction among other applicants. As a major form of self-advertisement, you should focus on your strengths and on the essential characteristics that are unique to you.(1) Just remember that you are not the only one aspiring to enter your dream school, it is a competition. A competition that needs your best foot forward. Acknowledging your weaknesses is a good thing but you should focus more on your potentials and how you struggle to overcome every weak bone in your system. In this manner, you can leave an impression of a confident individual who knows how to use his or her strengths and who is an open-minded person who knows how to concede his or her flaws and learn from it. The following are some tips on how to make your “myself essay” an effective marketing tool.
Writing an essay on myself: catch the readers’ attention
As you are writing your “myself essay,” you should bear in mind that you are aiming to write a memorable work. You have to captivate your readers’ attention by creating a catchy and ingenious introduction. The first two lines should be written in an inviting and intriguing manner which encourages the reader to know what will happen next. A choice of topic is also of utmost importance. Think of the topic that you are most interested to and discuss it in a way that your enthusiasm will radiate through them. Better yet, have another family member or friends read your essay, and see if they are compelled with your topic and manner of writing.(2)
Writing an essay about my self: keep the reader’s interest throughout the essay
A memorable essay does not end in having a remarkable topic and excellent use of words. Keep in mind that the admission officers read numerous essays, thus, catching their attention is as vital as keeping their attention. After the compelling introduction, you have to continuously write it in a way that will surely stimulate the readers’ imagination and have their curious minds working. It is vital to write your essay in a way that the reader will be able to relate to it, not necessarily to the detailed accounts but to the feelings conveyed. Remember, your primary goal is to write an essay that will make your readers decide if you deserve to be a part of their incoming freshman batch.(3)
(1) www.depauw.edu/admission/documents/college-essay.pdf
(2) http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/
(3) http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/apessay_overview.html
Admission essays are used by evaluators to further know the person applying for a university. This can be made possible by the inclusion of the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis which is usually used in the field of business planning. The SWOT analysis focuses on the internal and external environments and opportunities and threats in the external environment.
Writing about my self: discussing strengths and weaknesses
In your “essay about myself,” you should discuss both your strength and weaknesses which are internal factors in one’s personality so the readers will have a better understanding about you, of the things that you can do best, and the possible hindrances in achieving your goals. It will be great if you can fully express your strengths in such a way that you are not being immodest about it but in a manner wherein you are conveying it to show that you are as capable as any other applicants, and that you are willing to use those strengths to pursue your chosen path. Citing your weaknesses does not significantly mean that you are leaving a bad impression, that is, if you are going to let them understand that you have already acknowledged your flaws and you are taking it as a challenge to do better and excel. Just bear in mind that the mode of expressing your thoughts is the best kept secret for an effective essay.(1) You can read a “sample essay about myself” to get an idea on how to market yourself effectively.
Writing about my self: including opportunities and threats
After the analysis and discussion of the internal factors which are your strengths and weaknesses, it will be important to continue discussing in your essay the external factors of your personality which are the opportunities and threats. It will be very important for the readers to understand these four aspects of your personality. These aspects will help them gauge how you can utilize your strengths to grasp potential opportunities and how your weaknesses, as a threat, can be avoided as soon as you acknowledge them.(2)
Marketing yourself effectively
The SWOT analysis is definitely one of the best steps to market yourself effectively just like in any other business endeavours. Understanding yourself first is very crucial before having the ability to fully express your thoughts to others. So incorporating the SWOT analysis in your essay will make the reader understand how you are able to focus on your strengths, work on your weaknesses, maximize the benefits of possible existing opportunities, and daunt potentially shattering threats.(3)
(1) http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/bestpractices/a/swot.htm
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis
(3) http://students.berkeley.edu/apa/personalstatement/
When writing a college admissions essay, keep in mind that this is a way for you to let the readers know more about you. It should be able to let the readers see a different side of you so that you’ll stand out from the rest of the other applicants. After all, your goal is to land a spot at your dream school. To help you stand out, read the tips below for a truly unique “myself essay.”
Writing an essay on myself: your experience as a topic
One of the major ingredients for a well-written prose is talking about the subject that interests you the most. Why waste your time thinking about what the reader would want to read, when you can focus your discussion on the topics that interests you such as your most memorable experiences? Your energy and enthusiasm while writing your essay will transpire to your readers. And in turn, they will be interested in your topic as well and see a side of your personality. Just make sure that these experiences can help you explain why you want to pursue a certain degree or career path.(1)
Writing an essay on myself: discussing what you’ve learned from such experiences
Your experiences will remain to be plainly experiences if you do not know how to discuss what you learned from them. The reader will be able to decipher what your motivations are, what are the things and values that you care about by your perspective on the things that happened to you. It is undeniably true that every experience that you have, no matter how simple it may seem to other people, has underlying lessons for you to learn. Concocting the right words to express your learning from those memorable moments of your life will definitely make your essay stand out. Just make sure to choose the right topic that will show your greatest potential to be a member of your dream school’s academic community.(2)
Writing an essay about my self: personalizing your essay through detailed accounts of experiences
No one wants their essay to be just the same as everybody else’s writing. Since admission committee members read thousands of letters, why not take the extra effort of giving your essay a sense of originality? You can do this through citing important details of your experiences. It would be nice to present your writing in a narrative form since thoughts are tend to be more organized if they are written as stories. Giving examples will be more appropriate. Descriptive and clear words are imperative. Conveying your commitment in doing outreach programs through examples are more appealing than plainly citing “I am into outreach programs.” Just always remember that it is not all about what you have to say but how you say it.(3)
(1) http://ual.stanford.edu/pdf/uar_writingstatementofpurpose.pdf
(2) www.sac.edu/students/library/nealley/pathfinders/meb_essay.htm
(3) http://www.princeton.edu/career/undergrads/grad-prof/law/personal-statements/
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