How to Write the Amherst College Admissions Essay

 Amherst College Excerpt

 by Sarah O'Neill, Coatesville, Supreme Editing

According to Amherst College admissions (via their website):

 

Amherst College educates students of exceptional potential from all backgrounds so they may seek, value, and advance knowledge, engage the world around them, and lead principled lives of consequence. 

 

Think of your essay(s) in context, as they comprise a portion of a total application package that represents you. Other components, such as your resume and transcript, contain important data points, but they do not reveal your motivation, your goals, or your vision. Use the essays to tell what cannot already be gleaned from those materials.  Avoid the trap of aiming for what you think the selection committee wants to hear. They want to know how and what you think.

Be your own critic! Allow enough time to write your essay, sleep on it, and come back to it a few days later with fresh eyes. You'll be surprised by how clearly you'll see ways to clarify or enliven your writing.

Personal statements, answer the following questions:

1.     Who are you now?  What interests you and is important to you?  What personal qualities (skills, abilities, attributes) do you want to convey as your strong points?

2.     What experiences have been important in your development?  These could be classes, internships, work experience, personal episodes—moments that contributed to and illuminate who you are now.

Successful essays included applicants who distinguished themselves by painting a more detailed picture of themselves.  They made it personal!  They gave a deeper sense of themselves and the contributions they’d make to the Amherst community in terms of fresh ideas and perspectives. The essays demonstrated they were committed to diversity and making campus a safe place for all.   They highlighted leadership skills and showed growth and their impact on others.  They proved that they were motivated and engaged students. Pick the quote that you can connect with. - Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

 

Supplemental Essay Example:

Prompt 1 Question: What do you see as the benefits of linking learning with leadership and/or service? In your response, please share with us a time where you have seen that benefit through your own experience 

  When I started Tang Soo Do (Korean Martial Arts) in 3rd grade, I didn’t know I would find a role in serving the community through the structure, discipline, and traditional customs.

Sharing my skills with others drives my service. As I moved up in ranks, I loved showing younger students my skills because

I knew the significance of having a role model in class. I often demonstrated the proper form of a flying side kick to students having trouble. I also helped my fellow older students persevere through tough workouts, whispering words of encouragement and sparring with others to improve our collective skills. Transitioning from kid to adult classes, I encountered a lack of motivation due to tougher workouts and drills. However, through these experiences, I learned to teach without being overbearing, to stick with a commitment, and to communicate better with students when fists are being thrown around. 

Tang Soo Do instilled confidence in my abilities to accomplish many of my goals. Outside of the studio, I used my improved teaching skills to help younger kids in my school's mentoring program, teaching them respect and organization. I also entered Green Key, my school's ambassador program. In this program, I lead groups of prospective students around campus, providing an example of what a model student looks like by using my organization, communication, and knowledge. 

Martial arts has developed some of my core values: organization, guiding others, and effective communication. It has also served as an incredibly enjoyable outlet for exercise.

 

 

 

 by Sarah O'Neill, Coatesville, Supreme Editing