Read the directions all the way through before writing. Admissions essays usually take two forms. The first one asks 6-10 questions involving your academic history, professional goals and objectives, and why you believe the faculty and programs offered will enable you to reach those goals. The second type asks you to identify a topical issue or personal experience of your choice that is meaningful and reflects who you are. The objective of both essays is: to assess your communication and organizational skills.
Pay strict attention to the rules, especially the maximum word count for each answer or full essay. If it takes more than the specified word count to express yourself, you are probably rambling and reiterating.
Type your admissions essay rather than writing it by hand. Many universities have downloadable forms where you can type in all of the requested information. In the case of universities that ask for a personal essay on a topic of your choice, the general rule is that it is typed on a separate piece of 8 1/2-by-11 paper and attached to the rest of the application package. The preferred fonts for these submissions are Times New Roman, Courier and Bookman (all 12 pt..). If you're not able to enter your essay on-line and have to print out the document, you have two choices. One is to use a typewriter or print neatly in pen.
Organize your thoughts. Identify key ingredients that you believe best sell your qualifications and aspirations as a prospective student. You might find it useful to write everything out in a list format first and then rank them in terms of their significance and relevance to the program for which you're applying. If you are writing a long essay, identify what your thesis statement or introduction is going to be.
Strike a conversational balance. Picture yourself discussing these topics across the table from an admissions director. You don't want to sound so casual that you won't be perceived as a serious student, nor do you want to come across as so formal that you'll be perceived as someone who isn't open to the challenge of new ideas and diverse campus interactions. While a smidge of humor is acceptable, flippancy and sarcasm aren't.
Provide concrete examples of past accomplishments that support your value to the institution. Provide examples as well of how you specifically plan to use your education as a means to give back to your community, your country and your world. Evaluators are seeking prospective students who are ambitious, confident and have a long-range vision regarding the application of their studies to real-life challenges that will await them beyond graduation.
Open your essay with a compelling first sentence. A good "hook" will make the reader excited to read the rest. Don't sit and agonize about that first sentence, though, without writing anything else down. Open up your stream of consciousness and scribble down whatever comes into your head. Good writing is all about rewriting. Once you have your first draft, you'll then have something to go back and tweak with until it flows smoothly. Once you're warmed up, your "hook" sentence will reveal itself midway through the draft or toward the end and can easily be relocated to the top.
Read your finished product out loud, to catch errors. Recruit friends to read your essay and listen with an open mind to their suggestions on how to improve it. It's also helpful to show it to your current professors and ask their advice.