Writing for University Applications.pptx

Unis and applications tutorials

1. Thursday June 8, 2023 Writing for university applications How to help your students! Araba Botchway - Ashesi University Chelsea Uwase - Bridge2Rwanda Rebekah Westphal - Yale University

2. Presentation Content: Writing in applications for US universities Writing in applications for the MCF Scholarship and Ashesi University Perspectives from a HALI org

3. Session Guidelines : Please remain muted If possible, keep camera on During session please ask your questions or make your comments in the chat box Please raise hand if you have a question during Q&A

4. Writing for US universities The different kinds of writing in a US application: Essays Additional Information Extra-Curriculars/Activities Courses Extra Essays Why institution X? WHY??

5. Common App Essay Prompts for 2023-2024 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. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

6. Writing Tips! Ask students to keep a diary during your program When writing essays: start with a skeleton structure Activities: keep it brief - most important stuff at the top This is NOT formal or academic writing, BUT…. Be willing to share 6 word memoir - have fun with words - be CONCISE One paragraph on each prompt - see where it goes ChatGPT……………

7. Writing for the MCF Application • The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has over 40 partnerships, most of whom are universities and operate within the rules and regulations of the larger institutions. • As such in addition to the general requirements, each university has additional requirements: • African nationa ls with a commitment to ethical leadership and community building. • Committed, young people whose academic ambitions exceed your financial resources. •Interest in joining an exceptional network of young changemakers . •Further Specifics: Female, refugee, internally displaced person, person with a disability or another marginalized community that makes accessing higher education challenging?

8. Writing for the MCF Application Need to be clear on background, current status and the need for a scholarship (need based vs merit) Indicate future plans and how the envisaged education will support that. Limit the “lamentation” stories. Ensure to make the difference between general essay, scholarship essay and any others. Importance of supporting documents

9. Perspectives from a HALI org US Applications - Personal Essay Writing Creative Writing Class Writing Assignments (sample on next slide) Brainstorming Phase - Regular meetings with students Personal Essay Drafts - Essay editing, comments e.t.c students go through 10 or more drafts before a final draft Final Essay - polish on grammar, sentence structure, ensure students hit the 650 word limit

10. Perspectives from a HALI org

11. Perspectives from a HALI org US Applications - Additional Information Essay Writing A chance to share information not reflected anywhere else in the application Elaborate on extracurricular activities More creative essays like poems, letters e.t.c Explanation on questionable grades, extended family, gap in education, extenuating circumstances Context on education system, curriculum and academic courses taken in high school

12. Perspectives from a HALI org US Applications - Supplement Essays WHY Essays Extensive research on universities. If your student’s WHY essay sounds the same for different colleges then something is wrong. WHY essays are very specific to universities Just like students have personalities, universities too have “personalities” WHY essays also tend to be short essay (word limit 100-250 words). Be precise and straight to the point

13. Perspectives from a HALI org US Applications - Other Supplement Essays Why Major questions It is okay to be undecided but you at least need to have a few interests that you can articulate well. Be sure to answer the question: Why is school X the right college for you to do your specific major? Elaborate on Extracurricular activities Community engagement essays

14. Perspectives from a HALI org… Mastercard Applications (Universities on the continent) - Essay Writing Mastercard funded universities have different writing requirements USIU - A for example has an application letter in addition to other short essays Content is much more important than writing skills Brainstorming Phase Background: Are you low income, refugee, from rural, internally displaced or live with disabilities? Activities: Almost all universities have activities essays

15. Perspectives from a HALI org Mastercard Applications (Universities on the continent) - Essay Writing Mastercard funded universities have different writing requirements USIU - A for example has an application letter in addition to other short essays Content is much more important than writing skills Brainstorming Phase Background: Are you low income, refugee, from rural, internally displaced or live with disabilities? Activities: Almost all universities have activities essays

16. A few common questions: What do word limits mean? I have more than 5 siblings - where do I put this? I have more than 10 extra-curriculars! Where do I communicate a gap in education ? What about lower grades or blips in grades - where/how should we talk about those? How is ChatGPT (AI) going to affect how universities read applications?

17. QUESTIONS?

18. Thank You!