College essay contest

College essay contest are a cool way of making some money or making yourself eligible for some scholarship if the student knows the rules of writing this paper. A contest is like a game or competition and only the best paper will pass the test. It is not like making an application to college where you think there is a likelihood that you might be lucky to fall among of the 100 places available. In a contest, only one, two and sometimes the best three papers will be rewarded.

The first requirement is to make sure that you are eligible for that contest. Do not give room for assumptions. If it required that contestants must be at most twenty years of age, do not go in for it if you are a day older or if you will be a day older by the required deadline. There is also an academic requirement. Most contest writing usually have registration fee through a particular mode of payment. Ensure that you have the facilities to register through that means.

Read out and understand the rules carefully. Most contests require you to be a fulltime student in an accredited institution in a particular country or region during a particular academic year. Entries usually have a cover page with your name and detailed address, address of your present institution and the name and official contact details of your recommender. The student normally writes a statement that this is his original work and it is cosigned by an academic referee. The essay will have a word limit and the number of copies to be submitted. Essays should be typed in double space, with a font size of not less than 10 and electronic submissions are mostly not accepted. Such essays are examined by a panel of judges whose decision is final.

The topic of the essay contest will be provided to you. You have not choice. You must therefore be versed with the subject matter. It is either you know of something to write or nothing to write about. There is no room for guesswork.
Relax and do not reflect on the price. Consider the contest as a mode of testing your strengths with stronger participants. You will loose focus if you put the price before the contest.

Study the topic critically since it will be a Critical Essay. Most topics for contest always have something tricky. Get to know what the topic requires. Take note of the following: stating means presenting the essential points in a coherent manner, recapitulate means giving a short account; discuss, criticize, evaluate, justify means using specific facts and evidence to support your claims.

Do not waste time composing a long introduction. Start with a strong opening sentence and use plain English to develop your paragraphs. Make sure your paper does not only meet the prescribed format, but has an introduction, a body and a conclusion. When your paper is through, edit and proofread what you have written down.

College essay contest should be simple to compose. Do not be overtaken by fear of the level of participants. These are students like you. Remember they also have an apprehension of an aptitude of those who might be involved in the game.