エッセイ対策

私の経験談

　　Application Essay は入学審査の際、重要な要素となります。しかし、多くの人たちは何を書けば良いのかわからずにポイントのずれたエッセイを書いている人がたくさんいるようです。

　インターネットで検索すれば、色々なエッセイ添削業者がありますが、料金が高い、添削結果を返してもらうのが遅かったり等、様々な問題があるのが実情ではないでしょうか。わたしも、初めてApplyする時に、ある掲示板で見かけた添削業者にエッセイ、履歴書の添削依頼をしましたが、料金が高い（８万円ほど取られました）、添削が遅い（１ヶ月ほどかかりました）等で、嫌な思いをした経験があります。

　　初めてApplyした時には、某トップ校から合格を頂きましたが、奨学金の問題で留学をあきらめました。２年目に再Applyする時は、前のような悪徳業者に引っ掛らない為に、添削業者の選定には注意していました。そこでGREの参考書で目に付いたのが、Essayedge.com なる会社です。実際にホームページを見て頂ければわかりますが、エッセイの添削を専門にした会社です。料金も日本の添削会社に比べれば、割安ですし、添削結果を返してもらうのも早いです（私の経験上、平均で1.5日程）。一度インターネットで【エッセイ添削】と検索してみて、日本の添削業者の値段と比べてみて」ください。

　　いくらサービスが良いといっても、EssayEdgeに添削を何度も依頼すると当然出費もかさみます。ですから、なるべく自分で、完璧だと思うエッセイを書いて、添削サービスを受けるようにしてください（それでも、色々な箇所の修正を受けますが）

エッセイエッジ
（オンラインエッセイ添削）

とりあえず書いてみなけりゃ始まらない　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　Essayedge.com から、エッセイを書く際の手順がわかりやすく説明されている資料がありましたので、紹介させて頂きます。

　　最初から完璧なエッセイを書こうなんて無理です。試行錯誤／熟成を重ねて良いエッセイを完成することが出来ます。これまでの自分を振り返りながら、少しずつエッセイを書いてみては如何でしょうか？

Step One: Brainstorming

　　　The most important part of your essay is the subject matter. You should expect to devote about 1-2 weeks　simply to brainstorming ideas. To begin brainstorming a subject idea consider the following points. From　brainstorming, you may find a subject you had not considered at first.

　　　Some of the tips below may seem more germane to college admissions essays rather than professional school or graduate school admissions essays; however, much of the advice for finding topic ideas is the same for all admissions essays. By September 1, 1999, EssayEdge will launch an exceptional tips page based on a book by EssayEdge staff with tips tailored to the various types of applicants.

• What are your major accomplishments, and why do you consider them accomplishments? Do not limit yourself to accomplishments you have been formally recognized for since the　most interesting essays often are based on accomplishments that may have been trite at　thetime but become crucial when placed in the context of your life.

• Does any attribute, quality, or skill distinguish you from everyone else? How did youdevelop this attribute?

• Consider your favorite books, movies, works of art, etc. Have these influenced your life in　a meaningful way? Why are they your favorites?

• What was the most difficult time in your life, and why? How did your perspective on life　change as a result of the difficulty?

• Have you ever struggled mightily for something and succeeded? What made you successful?

• Have you ever struggled mightily for something and failed? How did you respond?

• Of everything in the world, what would you most like to be doing right now? Where would　you most like to be? Who, of everyone living and dead, would you most like to be　with? These questions should help you realize what you love most.

• Have you experienced a moment of epiphany, as if your eyes were opened to something you were previously blind to?

• What is your strongest, most unwavering personality trait? Do you maintain strong beliefs　or adhere to a philosophy? How would your friends characterize you? What would they　write about if they were writing your admissions essay for you?

• What have you done outside of the classroom that demonstrates qualities sought after by　universities? Of these, which means the most to you?

• What are your most important extracurricular or community activities? What made you join these activities? What made you continue to contribute to them?

• What are your dreams of the future? When you look back on your life in thirty years,　what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What people, things, and　accomplishments do you need? How does this particular university fit into your plans for　the future?

If these questions cannot cure your writer's block, consider the following exercises:

1. Ask for Help from Parents, Friends, Colleagues, etc.

　　If you cannot characterize yourself and your personality traits do not automatically leap to　mind,ask your friends to write a list of your five most salient personality traits. Ask your friends　why they chose the ones they did. If an image of your personality begins to emerge, consider life　experiences that could illustrate the particular traits.

2. Consider your Childhood

　　While admissions officers are not interested in reading about your childhood and are more　interested in the last 2-4 years of your life, you might consider events of your childhood that　inspired the interests you have today. Interests that began in childhood may be the most defining　parts of your life, even if you recently lost interest. For instance, if you were interested in math　since an early age and now want to study medicine, you might incorporate this into your medical　school admissions essay. Analyze the reasons for your interests and how they were shaped from　your upbringing.

3. Consider your Role Models

　　Many applicants do not have role models and were never greatly influenced by just one or　two　people. However, for those of you who have role models and actually aspire to become like　certain people, you may want to incorporate a discussion of that person and the traits you　admired　into your application essay.

4. Read Sample Admissions Essays

　　Before you sat down to write a poem, you would certainly read past poets. Before writing a　book　of philosophy, you would consider past philosophers. In the same way, we recommend reading sample admissions essays to understand what topics other applicants chose. EssayEdge maintains　an archive of over 100 free sample admissions essays.

　　5. Goal Determination

　　Life is short. Why do you want spend 2-6 years of your life at a particular college, graduate　school, or professional school? How is the degree necessary to the fulfillment of your goals?　When　considering goals, think broadly. Few people would be satisfied with just a career. How　else will your education fit your needs and lead you to a fulfilling life?