Here is the second installment of the UGA holistic file reading overview, with a focus on the area of an applicant’s writing, self-expression and creativity. I know, it is a mouthful, but this is the section where we look at the student’s overall writing (both the essays and any other written areas on the application), and as well, any other areas where a student displays their creative talents. This would be something along the line of musical expression, theater/drama, etc.
In the review of an applicant’s writing, our focus is more the writer’s voice, how well they communicate their ideas, and how well they “show” us their information, and less focus is put on grammar and structure. Yes, we still want a student to write clearly and spell check their work, but that is not the key (and neither are “big” words or writing about UGA in your essays!). When I talk about a writer’s voice, and about “showing” instead of “telling”, I will direct you to my Suggestions for Writing Admissions Essays, as this tells you more than I could cover in one post.
I was reading a student’s file yesterday that really understood the idea of showing, as her essays made me understand what she was going through in the events mentioned in the essays, and I felt like I could almost see the situations as they occurred. One essay focused on her interaction in a politics class where she was the outsider in her political views, and the challenges she faced from both her teacher and the other students (and how she stood her ground while still being respectful).
The other area within this part looks at a student’s creative side. While we see some of these items within the activities section, we want to see how a student shows their artistic side. We look at their involvement in the dramatic, visual and performing arts, and try to get an understanding of their aesthetic side of life. We will focus more on the writing part during this review, but a student’s passion for the arts does come into play.
That is it for part II, and hopefully these posts will help you understand a little more about the file reading process. Only four more to go!