As many English teachers are assigning the college essay as a classwork grade, students can maintain two separate drafts: one for their class assignment and another for their college application. Writing for a grade can constrain a teenager from writing with the candor characteristic of a personal narrative.
While class assignments are a valuable opportunity to brainstorm and experiment with different narratives, students should follow their teacher’s guidance and grading rubrics to earn the highest possible grade. Sometimes, a student’s authentic voice differs from a teacher’s view of “good” writing, affecting how they grade the draft.
Additionally, some teachers may require peer editing in the initial drafts, which can be complicated. Since a compelling college essay is the most candid reflection on one’s experiences, not every student is comfortable sharing such insights with their classmates.
At the early stages of the writing process, students should focus on developing complete stories about their lives without regard to “answering a prompt” or word counts. By contrast, teachers often require students to adhere to specific word counts and prompts, which can restrict the development of a student’s narrative. Thus, if the class assignment is then used for the college application, students may inadvertently weaken their application, not expressing their true selves.
By developing two drafts, students can meet their academic requirements while ensuring that their college essay reflects their unique voice and experiences. Then, students can excel both in class and on their college applications without compromising the strength of their college essays.
A proud UC San Diego and Harvard University alumna, Jill Yoshikawa EdM is a dedicated educator, tirelessly studying the nuances of college admissions and education to advise a diversity of clients who seek the greatest value in education.
