Application essays differ from the typical Lawrence assigned writing in that they are persuasive writing. Therefore, a different approach to the process is necessary. Presentation should be clear, concise, and illuminating.
Audience: The off-campus programs admission committee will be five to seven faculty members and the Off-Campus Programs Advisor. They all will read your essay and discuss, as a group, the appropriateness and timing of the program choice for your academic career. Each committee member will be reading about 200 off-campus programs essays. It is key that the committee clearly and quickly see the how and why of your choices.
Essay #1 - Goal: To convince each of the committee members that:
- The program of your choice and the timing of your off-campus study are appropriate academically
- You are mature, prepared and independent enough to handle studying off-campus
- You have the qualifications required for your choice of program
Essay #2 – Goal: To convince each of the committee members that:
- You have carefully considered your choice and the impact it will have on your studies at Lawrence, your future, and the University community as a whole.
A few more suggestions:
- Font- Times New Roman 12 point or Arial 10 point fonts are preferred. Please don’t get fancy. Differentiate yourself by the words you choose rather than the typeface.
- Length - Each essay should be a maximum of two double spaced pages. This is one of those less is more situations; go for the most impact in the fewest words.
- Tone - Be entertaining but don’t be overly dramatic. Remember, the committee is reading 200 essays so don’t put them to sleep. Humor is fine, even admired if it is subtle and in the appropriate context, but don’t be silly. You should avoid clichés like the plague.
- Content – Tell the truth. Nothing will get you out of consideration faster than a lie or obvious exaggeration. Highlight your academic passion. If you love plants, Eastern philosophy, renaissance oboe music, or British literature and that is a major part of your program of choice, express that passion and give examples. It is good to be geeky. Basic personal information that demonstrates your strengths or attributes that are directly related to the program are encouraged. Extensive and/or unrelated personal information is not. Here are a few examples:
Good - My endurance training on the cross-country team will help me to meet the physical challenges of the SEA semester.
Very Good – I feel an intellectual and personal connection with the literature of Spain. My grandfather was a literature professor at the University of Barcelona during the 1960s and 1970s and he has shared his love of the subject and the country with me.
Bad - My extensive wardrobe and love of fashion will help me to fit into the culture in Milan.
Very Bad – Ever since I was a wee child, I’ve felt the history of Eire flowing in my veins. My great-great-great-great grandfather on my mother’s side came here a poor miner. He scrimped and saved every penny and endured much personal hardship, including the loss of his left thumb, to come to America and now I wish to return to that homeland, to experience the breadth of his freedom, to see the green hills and feel the cool rains, to kiss the blarney stone. I also hear from a lot of my friends that Guinness beer is much better there and want to take the factory tour to drink it fresh from the source.
- Proofread! - Read your essays over and over again for errors. Read them out loud to yourself and to your friends. E-mail them to your family, your high school English teacher, your professors, etc… Send them to anyone who will have good input for you. Take them to the writing tutors at the Center for Learning and Teaching. The more proofing your essays receive the better they will be. Good writing takes time and revision. Do yourself a favor and start early.
So, get going, write something worthwhile! Many students find that creating these essays is actually a pleasant experience. They are a reason to think carefully about your program choice, set academic and personal goals, and anticipate the excitement and adventure of your off-campus study experience.
Good luck!
