Importance of Grammar in your Admission Essays
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Good grammar is critical to the success of admission essays. Today, with inbuilt spelling and grammar checks, applicants have no reason to ignore grammatical errors in almost all word-based programs. Hence, if you submit an admission essay that is flawed as far as the grammar is concerned, chances are you will not make a favourable impression.
The most crucial aspect of winning admission essays is correct grammar. The applicant is expected to have a good command of the English language so that he can follow the instructions in class. Making grammatical errors in the admission essay can make a bad impression on the admissions committee (Ad Com). In the modern world, where word-based programs on computers, laptops, and phones have inbuilt grammar and spelling checks, it would be blasphemous to send drafts with grammatical flaws.
In addition, the Ad Com also judges the language skills of the candidates through their essays. Writing about yourself, or on a topic provided by the university, calls for effective language abilities, and whether you can express your thoughts clearly. It also shows that the candidate has professionalism and is serious, as the essay is a reflection of your attention to detail and overall competence.
A credible candidate will always make the effort to write in correct English to show respect for the time and effort of the Ad Com. Moreover, correct grammar also ensures that there is no ambiguity, and your thoughts and ideas have been presented with clarity. A grammatically correct essay also demonstrates that you are a committed individual who has taken the time and effort to proofread and edit his/her essay. In the future, you will be required to write a lot at the university, so having good grammar is important. Therefore, the importance of grammar in admission essays cannot be undermined.
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- Importance of Vocabulary in your Admission Essay
- Word Limit and Essays: How important are they
- Types of Admission Essays
Why Grammar is Important in Admission Essays
Using good grammar in admission essays is very important. When you are applying to a university abroad, your essay is your first impression. If it has grammar mistakes, it can show carelessness and affect your chances. With tools like grammar check and spell check available in most writing apps, there's really no excuse to ignore grammar errors.
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Why Grammar Matters in Admission Essays
The admissions committee (Ad Com) reads your essay to understand not just your story but also how well you can write. A well-written, grammatically correct essay shows that:
- You can understand English well enough for university classes.
- You are serious about your application.
- You pay attention to small details.
- You respect the reader's time by writing clearly.
If your grammar is bad, it might confuse the reader or send the wrong message. But if it’s clear and correct, your essay will stand out in a good way.
Important Grammar Tips for Admission Essays
Let us look at some of the pointers about grammar that you should consider, as these are not always caught by the grammar and spell check of the program/computer.
- Choose a tense and maintain continuity: Many a times, the applicants have their verbs mixed up and shift from past to present to future continuous. This is acceptable from paragraph to paragraph, but should be avoided within a sentence.
- Be mindful of jumping from the first person to the third person: Ideally you should write the essay in first person.
- Use the correct prepositions: Be careful about the usage of prepositions and do not depend on the grammar check to pick up the wrong preposition.
- Avoid using abbreviations/contractions and slang: The tone of the essay should be formal. Thus, you must avoid slang or abbreviations.
- Maintain balance in the paragraphs: Uniformity and balance in the paragraphs will ensure that the essay has a smooth flow.
- Be comprehensible: The essay should be comprehensible to the reader. Bring your thoughts together and give them a good structure.
- Do not use flowery language or tricky grammar: Writing well does not mean that you write flowery language or confusing grammar. The language should be correct and simple to understand. The Ad Com should not be forced to look up the dictionary to understand your essay.
So yes, grammar in admission essays is super important. A small grammar mistake might look like a small thing, but it can leave a bad impression. If your grammar is correct, your essay will feel professional, clear, and easy to read. And that gives you a better chance of getting selected. Before submitting, always proofread your essay. You can also ask a friend or mentor to check it once. A few extra minutes of checking can save you from a big mistake.
Considering all the points discussed above, it is safe to conclude that the importance of grammar in your admission essays cannot be overstressed. A grammatically correct essay will impress the Ad Com, whereas mistakes in tenses, spellings, prepositions, and syntax can do the opposite. In fact, a little brushing up on the grammar will be beneficial for the applicant before attempting the admission essays.
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There should be consistency in the tenses. Using past, present, and future tense in the same sentence is odd. Try to use the same tense throughout, or at least in the same paragraph. You may change the tense, as per need, in different paragraphs.
Having understood the importance of grammar in your admission essays, you must proofread your work two-three times to make sure that it is flawless. You may revise your grammar too before writing the essay in case you have any kind of confusion. You should also read aloud and take feedback from your teachers, family members or experts in this regard.
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Using is the correct grammar is paramount for admission essays. Spelling mistakes, wrong tenses, and other grammatical errors will show that you do not have a good command over the English language, which is the medium of instruction in universities abroad. Correct grammar also reflects your professionalism, seriousness, and credibility as an applicant. Thus, to make a good impression on the Ad Com, you must be extra careful about writing a grammatically correct essay.