Conquering the USD Supplemental Essays: A Guide forHilarious Humans (and Everyone Else)
So, you've wrangled your transcript, aced the SATs (or ACTs, we don't judge), and written a Common App essay that could make Shakespeare weep with envy (or maybe just reach for a thesaurus). But hold on to your graduation cap, applicant extraordinaire, because the University of San Diego has a few more hurdles for you to jump – the supplemental essays!
Fear not, fellow wordsmiths! This guide will equip you with the knowledge (and humor) to navigate these prompts like a champion surfer riding a righteous wave.
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| How To Write University Of San Diego Supplemental Essays |
Picking Your Prompt: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor (or At Least Not Terribly Unfavorable)
The good folks at USD offer you a delightful buffet of essay choices. You get to pick one that best reflects your inner...well, you! Here's a breakdown of the main options:
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
- The Changemaker Challenge: USD loves students who want to make a difference. So, unleash your inner superhero and write about a challenge facing humanity (climate change? Killer robots? The struggle to find decent socks?) and how you'd tackle it.
- The Community Cornerstone: This is your chance to brag (but in a humble-brag kind of way) about how you made a positive impact in your school or community. Did you organize a sock drive so epic, even the one-socked wonders rejoiced? Tell them!
- The Faith and Feels: Here, you can explore the role of faith or spirituality in your life (or someone you know). Don't worry if you're not super religious – even a deep love for cheese can be a spiritual experience (just ask the French).
Remember: Choose the prompt that lets you shine the brightest!
QuickTip: Revisit this post tomorrow — it’ll feel new.
Crafting Your Masterpiece: From Blank Page to Bragging Rights
Now comes the fun part (well, maybe not the thesaurus part, but you get the idea): writing your essay! Here are some tips to turn your keyboard into a laughter and brilliance machine:
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
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- Be Yourself (But the Hilarious Version): Don't write like a robot trying to impersonate a Victorian poet. Inject your personality!
- Show, Don't Tell: Don't just say you're a great leader, tell a story about a time you rallied the troops (your soccer team) to victory over the arch nemesis team (those sock-stealing jerks from down the street).
- Proofread Like a Superhero: Typos are the villains of your essay. Vanquish them with ruthless spellchecking!
Bonus Tip: If you can make the admissions officer chuckle (not snort milk out of their nose, but a genuine smile), you're golden.
Frequently Asked Questions (Because We Know You Have Them)
How to be funny? Humor is subjective, but focus on self-deprecating wit, relatable anecdotes, and avoiding tired jokes.How long should it be? Keep it concise! Aim for 200-350 words depending on the prompt.What if I'm not that funny? Don't sweat it! Focus on a strong story and genuine voice.Can I write about my pet goldfish? Maybe for the "faith and feels" prompt, if your goldfish is the reincarnation of a wise guru. Otherwise, best stick to human experiences.Should I bribe the admissions officers with cookies? We strongly advise against it. A well-written essay is the best bribe (and way less messy).
So there you have it! With a dash of humor, a sprinkle of self-belief, and a whole lot of "you do you" energy, you'll conquer those USD supplemental essays and be well on your way to becoming a Torero (USD's mascot, not a bullfighter...although that might be an interesting essay prompt for next year).
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