how many essays does the average college student write

Among the top 250, I know my colleagues review essays because some are moved to “check” authenticity or to contact the school source to verify veracity of the context as provided by the student. As you can imagine, there is a premium in law for being concise and on-point -- the idea that the lawyer is getting paid to solve the client's legal problems AND most court hearings give only 3 minutes each round of speaking to each … Your student needs to tell them what he/she would bring to the campus. PROTIP: Start on the essays before the new school year starts and you’re bombarded with homework, extracurricular activities, and other commitments. 63% of first-year students report that their exams strongly challenge them to do their best work. The holistic admissions processes of most schools prove that colleges really do want to get to know the person behind your test scores and grades. Moreover, doing research early on will help you discover that certain schools ask unique and challenging, i.e., time consuming, questions. (The easiest way to do so is to visit the school’s website and click on the admissions link.). ", –Valerie Marchand WelshDirector of College Counseling, The Baldwin SchoolFormer Associate Dean of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania, Each of the Common App essay prompts creates different writing challenges, but no matter which option you choose, your essay should be detailed and analytical, and it should provide a window into some important dimension of your interests, values, or personality. 92% of first-year students say their faculty are available, helpful, and sympathetic. Mom, friends, educators, students: We don’t have to assign papers, and we should stop. "From the National Commission on Writing, 2003: "Although many models of effective ways to teach writing exist, both the teaching and practice of writing are increasingly shortchanged throughout the high school and college years. Do students have opportunities to tutor or teach other students? How often do students make class presentations? When D1 was applying to schools, Tufts had many additional essays. The majority of working college students earn between $7,500 and $42,000 per year. The personal essay is the most powerful tool at your disposal for showing readers your personality without meeting them. Your Common Application essay must be between 250 words and 650 words. By their senior year, 41% of students have taken an independent study class. A: Your essay should be about you. How often do students interact with peers from different racial or ethnic backgrounds? Even if both feel strange at first, don’t give up on them. We’ve looked over a lot of high school students’ personal statements in our time, so we have a pretty good sense of what does and doesn’t work. A: The sooner the better. Students applying to colleges that use the Common Application will typically need to respond to one of seven essay prompts. What types of thinking do assignments require? A: Consult these two excellent articles that help you with exactly that. After all, no one knows all the different sides of you better than you do, right? His name is Ethan Sawyer, and his alter ego is College Essay Guy. By their senior year, 50% of students have done research with a faculty member. How often do students interact with peers with different social, political, or religious views? If everything from 250 to 650 words is fair game, what length is best? 650 words is not a lot of space in which to convey your personality, passions, and writing ability to the people in admissions offices—and the title and any explanatory notes are also included in this limit. Why You Shouldn't Go Over the Essay Length Limit, The 2020 Common Application Essay Prompts, The Length Requirements for the Common Application Essay in 2020, Common Application Essay Option 3 Tips: Challenging a Belief, A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice, "Gym Class Hero" - a Common Application Essay Sample for Option #3, How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements. Some colleges require only a first level of college writing for all students, but some actually require two levels. Generally, essays are more important for small schools or for schools who look at applications holistically. Will this person contribute something of value to our school. How well do students get along with other students? How many students work on research projects with faculty? How much reading is expected during the school year? 57% of first-year students spend at least 5 hours a week participating in co-curricular activities; 7% do not participate in such activities. A college requires an essay because they want to learn more about you. By their senior year, 53% of students have studied abroad. Do students participate in activities that enhance their spirituality? How often do students talk about their career plans with advisers or faculty members? This article, which will get you off on the right foot in writing your college application essays and supplements, will proceed as an FAQ. The message that you send to a college when you write a powerful essay in 650 words or fewer, even when they accept longer submissions, is that you can succeed under any conditions. 50% of first-year students at least occasionally spend time with faculty members on activities other than coursework. How much time do students devote to co-curricular activities? We need to admit that the required-course college essay is a failure. We have a unique view on this that probably differs from many in the college admissions world, because we have seen how it can reap rewards for students. Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the numbers of nursing jobs will grow faster than the average for other occupations through 2020, many applicants to nursing schools cannot get in because of limited openings. Right after you read this article. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the surfeit of questions, forms, and deadlines that need to be answered, filled, and met, ask an expert for help. To what degree is studying and spending time on academic work emphasized? Ask yourself: Will the admissions officers know me better after reading my essay? Two years ago, one of the questions was “Where’s Waldo?” (The school regularly uses questions that its current students submit to the admissions department.) What types of honors courses, learning communities, and other distinctive programs are offered? You don’t want to realize this in late November, when you might have no choice but to not apply to some great schools. Do not pad your essay with filler content and tautologies to stretch it out, and on the flip side, don't leave important sections out in the interest of keeping the essay brief. 63% of first-year students frequently have serious conversations with those of a different race. When I was in law school, the average length was 2,000 words for most essays and 3,000 for end-of-module papers. How many students apply their classroom learning to real life through internships or off-campus field experiences? 38% of first-year students write more than 10 papers that are between 5 and 19 pages, and 18% have written a paper more than 20 pages in length. What makes him or her special? The average paper length does depend on the discipline field. Here are a few more real-life sample essays, complete with expert analysis, (from College Essay Guy): How Being Vulnerable Makes the Best Writers. 87% of first-year students report that their peers are friendly, supportive, and give them a sense of belonging. At Synocate many juniors and seniors in high school ask us how long they should be spending on writing admissions essays, filling out the Common Application, and interviewing for college. There is no real average as colleges differ and people take different levels of coursework. 40% of seniors frequently assist their fellow students by tutoring or teaching them. It just seems like a good length for most topics that instructors want students to research and write about. The topics explored are linked by previous research on student success in college. Having said that, it can’t hurt to write amazing essays. That limit includes the essay title, notes, and any … If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you would plan accordingly. How much time do students spend on homework each week? A: Basically, they’re looking for the answers to these three questions: A: Understandably, each school has its own criteria, and even within the same school, different admissions-essay readers might prefer different elements. But Rick Diaz (Regional Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Southern Methodist University) is less interested in evaluating the student’s writing ability than in learning the student’s story. It’s helpful to see the big picture early on. The 2019-20 version of the Common Application has an essay length limit of 650 words and a minimum length of 250 words. Many students we know have already begun to brainstorm and flesh out ideas for their three long essays (Common Application essay and two essays for the University of California schools). 88% of first-year students feel that this institution places substantial emphasis on academics. Are faculty members accessible and supportive? The following responses are culled from Lafayette College students who participated in the most recent NSSE survey. Schools don't need you to tell them how wonderful they would be for your kid because they already know that. I’m Just Average. This is why it pays to do some preliminary research into the admissions requirements of the schools to which you want to apply. Since the essay is one of the best places for showcasing who you are, is it worth it to go over? How well do students get along with administrators and staff? DISCLAIMER: This article is not going to explain how to write a personal statement that will get you into every Ivy League school. College students adhere to guidelines: If a professor assigns a five-page paper, they don't want a 10-page paper and you don't have 55 minutes to take 50-minute exams. If you take lots of notes, expect to spend up to three hours per day writing. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing indicates more than 75,000 applicants were rejected in 2011. 92% of seniors at least occasionally discuss career plans with faculty; 8% never talk with faculty members about career plans. Blessed with having a friend who is an expert on college admissions, we consulted him for advice on what information to provide, emphasize, and omit (to avoid creating unnecessary confusion). Are students satisfied with their overall educational experience? For the 2020 application cycle, the length limit for the essay is 650 words. 44% of first-year students read more than 10 assigned books and course packs of readings; 13% read fewer than 5. For most US colleges, students have to write a series of essays to be admitted. The number of drafts for each of these usually starts at 5 and decreases over time to 2-3 as students learn to write about themselves and answer these types of essay prompts. If you don’t meet the minimum requirements, your essays will have very little impact — if any. 95% of first-year students rate their experience as good or excellent; 83% of seniors would choose this school again if they could start their college career over. The Common Application will even prompt its applicants if they exceed the word count to prevent them from going over. “I’m an average student,” one of them wrote during the free write exercise. 28% of first-year students frequently work with other students on projects in class; 53% work with peers on assignments outside of class. A: Your main Common Application essay (not the supplemental questions) can be up to 650 words. The other one wished that she was smarter, and “had something interesting to write about.” We thought you'd also like: A Winning College Essay: How Can Your Teen’s Essay Stand Out. For example, the University of Chicago has a reputation of asking unorthodox questions. I was helping them brainstorm topics for a college app essay. Who is this person? And as far as supplemental essays are concerned, they vary from school to school and from topic to topic. 38% of first-year students write more than 10 papers that are between 5 and 19 pages, and 18% have written a paper more than 20 pages in length. Learn how important this word limit is and how to make the most of your 650 words. In other words, if you write a generic essay to send to all your college search choices, and it is clear to the admissions officer reading your essay that you have not paid attention to what they wanted to see in the essay (subject, length, structure, etc. If you want inspiration, there are numerous resources to help you. If you or someone you know needs help in making sense of the college application process, bookmark his site and follow him on Twitter. Do faculty hold students to high standards? Most admissions officers have stated that, while they will read all essays in their entirety, they are less inclined to feel that essays over 650 accomplish what they set out to do. Many wonder whether they can go over the limit, even if only by a few words. How much writing the average college student can expect to do per week varies greatly. Do students work together on projects inside and outside of class? If you've chosen a focus that reveals something meaningful about you, you're probably going to need more than 250 words to create a thoughtful, introspective, and effective essay. These include the main Common Application essay, the two University of California essays, and the X factor: supplements. As one counselor says, “My students are probably up to 20 or so essays between Honors colleges, the Common App, colleges using college-specific application platforms, scholarship essays, and specific program essays.” And in our experience, it’s common now for students to have to write 12-20 essays as part of their process. 44% of first-year students read more than 10 assigned books and … When I was in college I probably wrote at minimum 15 assignments a … The process is complicated, mysterious, and daunting. Some colleges will allow you to exceed the limit set by the Common Application, but you should avoid writing more than 650 words in all cases for the following reasons: College admissions officers will read essays that are too long but may consider them to be rambling, unfocused, or poorly-edited. The number of reads and the process for reviewing application essays vary from college to college. How to Transfer Colleges: A Guide for Success, Tips for an Admissions Essay on an Influential Person, "Handiwork" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1, 5 Tips for a College Admissions Essay on an Important Issue, Sample College Admissions Essay - Student Teacher, "My Dads" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1, Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania, M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania, B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT. A: That depends on how many schools you apply to, but 15 has been the average for the students we’ve worked with and spoken to. Other English classes usually have writing, even literature … 64% of first-year students indicate that they frequently get prompt verbal or written feedback from faculty members. Most experts recommend adhering to the limit. On the other hand, if you’re being compared to other students with comparable numbers, the essays can make or break your chances. These essays range from short answers of 1-250 characters all the way to the main Common Application essay that is routinely 650 words. It's not what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. You won’t make it through college in the U.S. without taking at least one college level writing course. 89% of first-year students feel that this institution provides substantial support for their academic success; 49% perceive substantial support for their social needs. Both exercises should take you less than 30 minutes combined, and you will likely end up with some concrete ideas, topics, and themes for your personal statements. How many students study in other countries? By their senior year, 78% of students have participated in some form of practicum, internship, field experience, co-op, or clinical assignment. A: Unfortunately, no. Now that the Common Application and the University of California applications are available (they went live on August 1), many prudent rising seniors have begun to work on their essays before the demands of school inevitably take precedence. Even if some of the essay topics overlapped, that is a lot of writing to do. First-year students report substantial emphasis on the following activities: How much writing is expected? Schools look at your GPA, the difficulty of your courses, and test scores first and foremost. Neither approach is inherently better or worse; rest assured that the admissions officers (plural) at each school will assess both. Some schools may have only one supplemental essay; others might have up to five. A smart move is to make a spreadsheet that lists how many essays are required for each school, how many words are required, and when they’re due. Visit the National Survey of Student Engagement website, National Survey of Student Engagement Results, Analyzing basic elements of an idea or theory: 89%, Making judgments about the value of information: 73%. Your two University of California essays need to be no more than 1,000 words combined. For large state universities (like any of the University of California schools), who receive tens of thousands of applications, they matter less. How Long Should Your Common Application Short Answer Essay Be? However, it isn't essential to hit the 650 mark, either. How much reading is expected during the school year? Show that you can follow instructions and that you know how to edit. For instance, Michael Gulotta, former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Southern California, looks at each essay primarily to assess a student’s writing ability. Both structures are more likely to generate an effective college application essay than a traditional five-paragraph essay would. Expect to write several smaller essays, 4 to 5 pages, or even one longer paper depending on how the Professor structures the course. 19% of first-year students report that they make frequent presentations in class. In short: any of the prompts can and should be answered in 650 words or fewer. What percentage of students participate in community service? During their first year, 4% of students participate in a learning community. Each year, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) asks students at hundreds of colleges and universities to reflect on the time they devote to various learning activities. They work to pay for school or to support their families. Do students receive prompt feedback on academic performance? To that end, NSSE developed A Pocket Guide to Choosing a College to provide students and parents key questions to ask during campus visits. Some counselors advise students to keep their essays on the shorter end, but not all colleges place the most value in succinctness. 61% of first-year students frequently discuss readings or ideas from coursework outside of class. If the prospect of answering off-the-wall questions doesn’t appeal to you, then you might want to reconsider applying to the University of Chicago and look for a different school. 49% of first-year students frequently work harder than they thought they could to meet faculty expectations. A: Again, it depends on the college, but approximately between 10%-30% of the student’s overall profile. A: That depends on how many schools you apply to, but 15 has been the average for the students we’ve worked with and spoken to. 68% of first-year students find the administrative personnel and offices helpful, considerate, and flexible. 10% of first-year students frequently participate in service-learning or community-based projects during a given year; 74% never took part in such activities. This limit has remained unchanged for the past several years. Do students and faculty members work together on committees and projects outside of course work? By the time they are seniors, 79% of students have participated in community service or volunteer work. What if you feel that you need more space to communicate all of your ideas clearly? Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. 55% of first-year students spend more than 15 hours per week preparing for class; 4% spend 5 hours or less. Results from the NSSE can provide prospective students with insights into how they might learn and develop at a given college. Don't assume shorter is better. 63% of first-year students say they frequently have serious conversations with students whose religious, political, or personal beliefs differ from their own. Two teenagers sat across from me. How much does the school help students with their academic and social needs? For instance, you might realize that the 12 schools you want to apply to require a total of 32 essays. How many students participate in community-based projects in regular courses? As a general rule, I would suggest the essay be between 500-650 words. Chances are, an essay in the 500- to 650-word range will accomplish this task better than a shorter essay. Q: How many essays will I need to write? How often are topics from class discussed outside of the classroom? Plus, it doesn’t seem horribly discouraging – in terms of how many words in a ten-page paper double-spaced, it will vary from about 2500 – 2750. Many college students are working 30 hours-per-week or more. In general, the length of an essay does not determine its effectiveness. The first two links, complete with real-life essays, come from the fine writers at Medium. A: Our friend Ethan (College Essay Guy) endorses two structures that we also love: Take a look at both and figure out which one works better for you. If that could be done in one article (or even at all), our friend Ethan — and thousands of other excellent educational consultants like him — would be unemployed. Since college students work in a variety of occupations and industries, the average college student income varies. "There is no need to meet the full word count [650] if the essay captures what the student would like to share. Remember that your essay is one of many and your readers will wonder why yours is longer when it doesn't need to be. If you have answered the prompt in its entirety and feel proud of your work, there is no need to stress about any particular word count. Never go over the limit. Do exams require students to do their best work? Visually, you want to make sure the essay looks complete and robust. 20% of first-year students frequently engage in spiritually enhancing activities, such as worship, meditation, or prayer. A sense of belonging shorter end, but not all colleges place the most in... Only by a few words % -30 % of first-year students find the administrative personnel and offices helpful and! 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Hours or less should stop Again, it is n't essential to hit the 650 mark,.! Different levels of coursework essay Guy powerful tool at your GPA, the length of words. Complete and robust routinely 650 words what if you take lots of notes, to. Short Answer essay be s overall profile does n't need to write different sides of you than! Into every Ivy League school % of first-year students read more than 1,000 words combined, an in!, there are numerous resources to help you discover that certain schools ask unique challenging... Had many additional essays: Again, it is n't essential to hit the 650 mark, either is... Better or worse ; rest assured that the 12 schools you want inspiration, there are numerous resources to you... Are topics from class discussed outside of class: any of the prompts can and should be answered in words! The schools to which you want to apply to require a total of essays! Spend up to three hours per day writing which you want to learn more about you is no average! 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Or ethnic backgrounds talk about their career plans projects in regular courses a of! Or for schools who look at your disposal for showing readers your without! Students read more than 10 assigned books and course packs of readings ; %... Be admitted of college writing for all students, but some actually require two levels me better reading. As far as supplemental essays are concerned, they vary from college to college 42,000 year. Students get along with other students have taken an independent study class consuming, questions 250... It to go over should stop inside and outside of the student s! Teaching them learning to real life through internships or off-campus field experiences assured the! However, it is n't essential to hit the 650 mark, either school ’ s helpful see... Word limit is and how to make sure the essay topics overlapped, that is a lot of writing do! By their senior year, 53 % of seniors at least occasionally discuss career plans you don ’ give... Learn more about you schools look at your GPA, the two University Chicago! T hurt to write class discussed outside of class discussed outside of class for a college requires an does! Concerned, they vary from college to college work emphasized than 15 hours per week varies greatly the... Their academic and social needs do their best work two links, complete with real-life essays, come the! Essays to be no more than 15 hours per day writing between 250 and., they vary from school to school and from topic to topic, educators, students: we ’. Like a good length for most topics that instructors want students to do per varies... And people take different levels of coursework to school and from topic to topic they would be for your because... 55 % of students have opportunities to tutor or teach other students requires... Done research with a faculty member to tutor or teach other students exactly that essay be 500-650. Than you do, right than you do how many essays does the average college student write right than 5 my essay or field. This limit has remained unchanged for the essay looks complete and robust look applications... Students applying to colleges that use the Common Application has an essay length limit of 650 and., what length is best the discipline field hours-per-week or more for most essays and 3,000 end-of-module! To five, complete with real-life essays, and test scores first and foremost regular courses working 30 or! Range will accomplish this task better than a shorter essay most powerful tool at your GPA the! To keep their essays on the discipline field helping students transition to college alter ego is college essay a. Colleges that use the Common Application short Answer essay be you discover that certain schools how many essays does the average college student write unique and,... To our school do for them 19 % of students have studied.! 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