Developed by: Kylie Cole-Zakrzewski

Level: 9-12

Quality Essay Web Search

Standards Learning Expectations	The activity will help student acquire competencies which relate to the following standards: 6.0 Knowledge and Skills to Achieve Career Goals The student will: 6.1 Evaluate how interests, abilities, and achievement relate to attaining personal, social, academic, and career goals. 6.5 Use technology and other resources for the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.
General Approach	Students will explore several web sites that give tips and samples for college entrance essays. They will then answer several questions to provide evidence of a quality college entrance essay and brainstorm personal topic ideas for several essay questions. This will be followed by a counselor led discussion on the importance of a quality essay.
Activity Steps	1. Print worksheet for each student. 2. Direct students to the following web pages:  CollegeBoard http://www.collegeboard.com/getting/application/0,1121,5-26-0-0,00.html?orig=sec The Cambridge Essay Service http://world.std.com/~edit/tips1.htm Ivy Edge http://www.ivyedge.com/ Essay Edge http://essayedge.com/ 3. Direct students to explore sites to learn the components of a good college entrance essay.  4. Remind students to uphold their Internet Acceptable Use Policies and report encounters with inappropriate material to the counselor immediately. 5. Give students time to answer worksheet questions. 6. Lead students through discussion on college entrance essays and their importance. What did you learn about college entrance essays? What types of questions are asked? How does creativity play a role in good essay answers? Who read college entrance essays? Are they really important?
Time Required	This activity will require 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the depth of the brainstorming and the discussion.
Resources Needed	1. Students will need access to the world wide web. 2. One worksheet per student.
Performance Indicators	Students will be able to: Relate interests, abilities, and achievement to personal, social, educational, and career goals. Utilize technology to gather information needed to perform well on college entrance essays.