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The content covers expected length limits, the approximate number of required essays, and what admissions officers look for: identity, campus value, and writing ability. It explains how essays are evaluated differently across schools, compares story versus writing skill, and clarifies how grades affect admission chances. 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We'll discuss how in a bit.  \nQ: How long should my essay be?  \nA: It depends. Your main essay can be up to 650 words; your supplemental essays will vary.  \nQ: How many essays will I need to write?  \nA: Around 15 is average. These include the Common App, UC 1, UC 2, plus supplements, which number anywhere from 6 to 20, depending on the number of schools you apply to.  \nQ: What are college admissions officers looking for?  \nA: They're looking for the answers to these three questions:  \n1.) Who is this person?  \n2.) Will this person contribute something of value to our campus?  \n3.) Can this person write?  \nQ: How do college admissions officers evaluate my essay?  \nA: Each school has its own criteria and different readers will prefer different elements. Michael Gulotta, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at USC, for example, has told me he most looks to the essay to assess astudent's writing ability. But Rick Diaz (Regional Director of Undergraduate Admission at SMU) is less interested in writing ability and more interested in a student's story.  \nQ: So which is more important: your story or your writing skill?  \nA: Both are important. \"A good story, well told.\" That's your goal.  \nQ: What should my essay be about?  \nA: In a word, you.  \nQ: How do I structure my essay?  \nA: We'll discuss two options today: Montage Structure and Narrative Structure.  \nQ: How much do essays matter?  \nA: It depends on the college, but generally between 10%-30% . Essays tend to matter more for small schools, or schools who look at applications holistically.  \nQ: If my grades are bad, can I get into Harvard with a great essay?  \nA: Nope. Schools look at your GPA, course rigor and test scores more than anything. When you're being compared to other students with similar GPA/SAT scores, that's when the essays can make or break your chances. But there are lots of other great schools besides Harvard. For a list of Colleges That Change Lives, Google \"Colleges That Change Lives.\"  \nQ: Can a bad college essay negatively affect my application?  \nA: Yes.  \nGot a question that's not answered here? Email me: [ethan@collegeessayguy.com](ethan@collegeessayguy.com)  \n1  \n[ethan@collegeessayguy.com](ethan@collegeessayguy.com)[ ](ethan@collegeessayguy.com)[www.collegeessayguy.com](www.collegeessayguy.com)  \nCommon AppLICATION Prompts  \n2015-2016  \n650 words, strict limit  \n1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.  \n2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?  \n3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?  \n4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.  \n5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.  \nUC Essays  \n1,000 words combined for UC 1 & 2, strict limit  \nUC 1:  \nDescribe the world you come from—for example, your family, community or school—and tellus how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.  \nUC 2:  \nTell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?  \nUC 3:  \nIf necessary, you may use this","cbCaik7xiz3UGY1L","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaik7xiz3UGY1L","pdf",1586853,19,"English","# Frequently Asked Questions\n## Common App and UC prompts\n## Essay requirements and evaluation\n## Recommended essay themes and values","[{\"question\":\"How do you begin writing a college essay?\",\"answer\":\"Start by reading the Common App and UC prompts on the next page, then plan your response accordingly.\"},{\"question\":\"How long should the Common App essay be, and how many essays are typically required?\",\"answer\":\"The main Common App essay can be up to 650 words, while supplemental essays vary. Around 15 essays is average, depending on how many schools are applied to.\"},{\"question\":\"What do admissions officers look for when evaluating an essay?\",\"answer\":\"Schools assess answers to who the applicant is, how they add value to campus, and whether the applicant can write. Different readers may emphasize writing ability or the applicant’s story differently.\"}]","Using the Secrets of Screenwriting to Write Your College Essay - Frequently Asked Questions | PDF",1790083600,7]