myUface Blog

Let’s continue thinking about the mindset of a “typical” admissions officer reading application essays from international students.  Let’s ask the question, what do they like about their job?

Presumably, they enjoy what they’re doing.  So we might want to ask ourselves, what do they like about it?  If they’re like most people, they probably don’t like filling out reports and doing finances.  They probably like, on the other hand, the chance to meet new students from all over the world.  What do they like about that?

My guess is – and I have to admit, it’s only a guess – that most admissions officers who work with international students like it because it gives them a window into other countries, cultures, and places.  They probably enjoy the things they learn about the world in the course of reading student applications, or in working with students from abroad.  The chance to work with people from many different countries is, after all, something that differentiates their job from many other jobs.

So let’s move forward on the assumption that the readers of your application are generally interested in learning about other countries and cultures.  Why does this matter? Well, you can make sure to highlight the part of your life experience that is particular to your culture.  This doesn’t mean that you entire essay has to be about your home country.  At the same time, you should make sure you provide some information about what’s unique to your environment.  After all, your environment has undoubtedly contributed to who you are as a person, so by talking about what’s unique in culture, you’re also talking – at least to a certain point – about what’s unique in your self.

In short, making a place in your essay to explain some important points about your country or culture can make your essay more interesting to read, and also can provide a window into your own personality.

Posts in this Series

1. Tell Us About Yourself: Final Advice for Essay Writing - 08 Oct
2. Should You Pay To Have Your Essay Edited? - 01 Oct
3. The Greatest Editing Trick For College Application Essays - 29 Sep
4. How To Edit Your Essay - 28 Sep
5. The "What They Want to Hear" Mistake - 17 Sep
6. Know Your Reader, Part Four - 16 Sep
7. Know Your Reader, Part Three (This post)
8. Know Your Reader, Part Two - 14 Sep
9. Know Your Reader, Part One - 13 Sep
10. Listen to an Admissions Officer Discuss Essays - 11 Sep
11. How to Write an Essay for University Applications - 09 Sep