Talking About Mini-THON On College Applications And Essays
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While we are not admissions officers, guidance counselors, or your parents, we DO know what it takes to run a successful Mini-THON and we want to help you succeed at sharing your passion for Mini-THON on your college applications, essays and personal statements. Here's some things to think about when you're writing.
- Be sure to meet the requirements of the essay.
Every college or university has different requirements on topics of the essays, word count, and structure. You may tell the greatest story, but if doesn't meet the requirements, it isn't going to help you much. Be sure to tailor your essay to their requirements, and start early to beat the deadlines! Also, be well-rounded. If you have to do three essays for one school, don't write them about similar topics. Schools are seeking well-rounded students. Even though Mini-THON may be your favorite activity, and natural to write about, challenge yourself to write about other things you may be involved in. - Don't assume the admissions officers know what Mini-THON is.
Mini-THON is a student lead movement consisting of over 90,000 participants in almost 300 schools nationwide, and growing. Students use their voice and leadership to raise money to conquer childhood cancer. They do this by dividing and conquering the tasks necessary to execute a multi-hour, multi-activity, fun-filled event. Students gain experience in managing, team building, logistics, fundraising, promotion and community engagement- all while raising awareness for a great cause. - Stand out!
You are a significant part of a powerhouse generation of philanthropists! Sixty-seven percent of Gen Z individuals have volunteered in the last 12 months. This is more than two and a half times the volunteerism of any other generation. You and your peers are changing the world! Now, imagine being that admissions officer you are trying to "wow". He or she has paged through their 23rd essay of the day that begins with the same first sentence- "I have volunteered for Mini-THON for 3 years." Recall that part about the Mini-THON movement having 90,000 participants, (not to mention the other hundreds of organizations students get involved in)? That means it is not enough to just talk about your involvement. What distinguishes you from "the competition"? All 90,000 participants have a similar Mini-THON experience. Hook your reader in the first sentence. Begin immediately with an action.
"As I handed the microphone to Mrs. Smith at our kickoff assembly to share her family's story of losing her 8-year-old son to cancer, I noticed the tears begin to well up in her eyes and immediately realized the magnitude of my service was well beyond that of planning an event focused on student activities and logistics."
Elaborate on how that made you feel. Now you've hooked them to want to read on, and you can go back to what is Mini-THON, what was your role and responsibilities, etc.
- Describe your role thoroughly and what your community service taught you.
Saying something like "I was the Public Relations Chair of ABC Mini-THON, and that experience taught me..." might not register to an admissions officer. Elaborate... "I was selected as the Public Relations Chair of ABC Mini-THON. As the PR Chair, I managed a committee of 20 fellow students, was the voice of our organization on our social media channel of 1,000 followers, and worked with an audience that included donors, school administration and other students. Ultimately, those efforts culminated in a 12-hour event that raised more than $40,000 for childhood cancer care and research. That experience taught me..." Share your personality by citing personal strengths along with specific examples that support. Painting a clear picture of the scope of your responsibilities will help the admissions officer understand the skill set you gained as well as lessons this experience taught you about yourself! Go into depth about what you've learned, but be honest. The reader will see right through trite statements. - Finish strong!
Just as you began by getting their attention in the first sentence, be sure to end strong. A good way to do this is to again state the impact the experience had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate what about you changed after your participation, why your work was important, or how you witnessed it directly helping others.
If you have any other tips to share, please add to the comments below!
Best of luck!
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Four Diamonds' Headlines
11/25/2019 1:06pm EST
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