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ULTIMATE INTERVIEW/SELECTION WEEKEND GUIDE – TIPS FOR THE UWC APPLICATION PROCESS

I have promised to do this for way too long now and never actually got around to it- but since I’m at home in lockdown and college doesn’t start until August, I’m finally writing up my tips for all things regarding the UWC application, interview and selection weekend. I think, since I got rejected the first time I applied and I went through the whole process twice, I probably have at least some useful insights to share. !DISCLAIMER! Remember that these are all based on my own experience going through the Austrian selection process- the one in your country might be different. These are all things I wish someone had told me before starting/during the application process, so I really hope that you’ll find some of these helpful😊

1. THE WRITTEN APPLICATION

Your first step towards your greater goal of attending a UWC! It may seem daunting, but this is the one thing in this whole process that you have complete control over, so really you should take full advantage of that fact! You can spend as little or as much time as you like writing and tweaking your application and have family or friends help you. Interviews, selection weekends, group activities etc. is where other people come in, but this step is under your control, so don’t stress yourself out too much! 😊 Here are my top tips for the written application.

1. Get your letters of recommendation early

Take it from someone who left it until it was almost too late. It doesn’t feel good to have to (politely) stress out your teacher/whoever is writing you a recommendation because the application submission deadline is soon, and it will definitely not make them feel any more inclined to write it for you if you’re forced to pressure them to do it quickly. Just figure out who you want to ask for recommendations as early as possible and make sure they have all the time they need to write you a great letter!

2. Don’t compare yourself to others

It’s so important to be honest with yourself. Know yourself, know how long it takes you to write an essay and how many times you might need to edit it to be satisfied. It doesn’t matter whether that one UWC youtuber said you should take 3 months to write the essays, or that maybe that one friend of yours who is really good at essay writing said they wrote them in one day. Just because you’ve read or heard somewhere that someone wrote it in 2 days doesn’t mean you should and just because you heard that someone took all summer to write them doesn’t automatically mean they’re good. Obviously, it’s easy to give the tip “Start early!” but I think it is more effective to just be realistic and honest with yourself. Personally, I wrote up my application and edited everything in the span of 1-2 weeks, and it worked for me that way. But, let’s say you tend to be a perfectionist and also want your mom, your best friend and your dad’s brother’s cousin’s daughter to read over your stuff, starting early is probably a good idea.

3. Don’t be afraid to contact your national committee

Applications vary from country to country so I can’t talk about any specifics, but generally, if there is anything at all that you are confused about, don’t be afraid to write an email to your NC! They will be happy to assist you, and there is no such thing as stupid questions (cliché but true in this instance). A personal example would be that the first time I applied, I wasn’t sure which things on the application should be answered in German and which in English, but instead of contacting my NC I just kinda did it and changed it again and after submitting was scared that I did it the wrong way. Don’t be like me! If something is unclear, ask for clarification. It will spare you a lot of stress.

4. Just send it!

Send off your application, even if you have doubts and think it may not be good enough. First of all: you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! And second of all, I assure you that everyone hitting that submission button doubts themselves at least a little bit. I sure as hell did.

2. INTERVIEWS

So now you’ve made it to the interview- congrats! I know that this is a nerve-wracking part of the application process, but just try to see it as a way to share more about what kind of a person you are with the National Committee.

1. Be yourself

I know what you’re thinking. Wow, how cliché, thanks, never even thought about this totally obvious thing! I agree, it’s cliché, but if you take away one thing from this whole blog post it should be this. Now, this should also be taken with a grain of salt. Yes, you shouldn’t try to act any different, for example if you’re usually a bubbly person-it’s okay, you don’t have to act all serious. If you’re a naturally funny person, you could include a little (appropriate) joke here and there even though we tend to think this is an extremely formal setting (which yes it kind of is, but again this may vary from national committee to national committee). However , “be yourself” doesn’t mean “stay in your comfort zone”. As an introvert, I know it can be hard to speak up, and I’m not saying you should change and act like an extrovert. What you have to make yourself realize is that this interview is about you. These people (the number of people interviewing you will vary) are sitting there to listen to you talk and occasionally ask some questions, they are trying to find out what kind of a person you are beyond those stiff essays from the application. If you’re an introvert, it’s fine to not talk loudly or whatever, but be confident about your opinions and don’t be afraid to talk about yourself! And even if you’re not, just act like you are confident and before you know it you will feel that way too (fake it till you make it). Believe me, I know it can feel super weird to just talk about yourself, but in some ways that is the point of an interview.

2. Don’t be scared of the interviewer(s)

They aren’t trying to trip you up. They will ask questions about your essays and things you indicated on your application in order to get an idea of who you are as a person. They might challenge something you said, but just stay true to your opinion, they don’t want to hear a certain answer they want to get to know you. If they ask you to elaborate on something, you should see it as a great opportunity to talk even more about something that you obviously already like discussing, since otherwise you (hopefully) wouldn’t have chosen it for your essay! In my case, the interviewers even made a joke here and there. The whole thing isn’t quite as formal as you might think.

3. Be passionate

I kind of touched on this earlier, but again: these people are there to listen to you talk. They will ask you questions about stuff you wrote on your application to find out more about you and whether or not you are a good fit for UWC (and whether or not UWC is a good fit for you.) They want to know what kind of a person you are, what makes you get out of bed in the morning and what things light up your eyes when you talk about them. No matter what you are passionate about, make sure they know it and feel it!

4. Don’t read too much into facial expressions

Seriously, don’t. During my interviews a lot of my stress came from me overthinking the interviewer’s facial expression. You don’t know what they’re thinking! They are just listening intently or taking notes, if one of them looks bored to death don’t let it affect you or discourage you. They are there to listen and take notes and maybe think of additional questions, but during the interview there is absolutely no time for value judgements anyway. Just do your thing and try not to read into it too much.

5. Be honest

This one is kind of similar to “Be yourself”. Don’t try to psychoanalyze the interviewers to answer in a way that you think will please them. They aren’t looking for a specific answer from you, they genuinely want to know your honest thoughts. If they phrase a question weirdly and you’re like ‘okay maybe I should answer it differently…’ No, stop right there! Stay true to what you think and what you believe in. Be honest in giving your opinions. Also, be ‘honest’ (maybe that is the wrong word) in terms of your feelings. UWC is an intense experience, that can be hard to adjust to and they want to make sure to send people who they think will be able to work through that and deal with it, which means they might ask you personal or emotional questions that could strike a chord. It’s okay to be emotional in that case, I was asked a very personal question and got teary-eyed. It’s totally fine to say “This is a hard question, please give me a second to think about it” or something along the lines of that.

6. Don’t try to find out what they asked the other people

When you’re sitting there waiting for your turn and someone who just had their interview comes out, don’t ask that person what questions they were asked. The questions you get are based on what you wrote in your application, so there’s no point since they most likely won’t even ask you that question. It will only make you more nervous.

3. GROUP ACTIVITIES/SELECTION WEEKEND

1. Arrive early

Of course, being early is always a good thing for these kinds of situations, but as an introvert this truly made a big difference for me. The first time I applied, I had really bad luck and ended up arriving late to the selection weekend. Picture this: 15 year-old, very introverted me opening the door to see groups of people seated at tables, already deep in conversation with one another and since I was the only person left, once I had arrived everyone got up and the activities started straight away. This led to me being super ‘stuck in my shell’ and stressed out from the get-go. The second time I applied, I made sure to be (maybe even too) early, which enabled me to be calmer since I wasn’t stressing about having to find my way in a big city I don’t know too well, I wasn’t stressing about whether or not I’d be late and make a bad impression, and I got to be the first one to sit down at the table and then have a chill introduction and conversation with the first person who arrived after me, and then the next etc.

2. Don’t be afraid to talk in group activities

After I received my rejection the first time round, I also received an email with feedback and insight as to why I didn’t make it into the final selection. It said something along the lines of: “We often had the impression that you wanted to say something but in the end you didn’t. We know that you have opinions, and we would have loved to hear them more often.” If you are a naturally ‘charismatic’ person you probably don’t have to worry too much about this, but for my fellow quieter peeps: just dive head in! Make a conscious mental note to SAY SOMETHING, to force yourself if you have to, during group activities, to contribute in any way, don’t be scared of what the other applicants might think of what you’re saying because, frankly, they don’t matter that much. Say what you’re thinking, if you are playing a group game and you have an idea for a strategy that might work, propose it to the rest of the group! It might not work, but that’s not what matters. What’s important is that you are contributing and trying to get the whole group to succeed by providing ideas and that you can show that you can work with others. UWCs are all about sharing ideas and brainstorming together, trying new things and tweaking what doesn’t work to try and find solutions to problems. That’s what they are trying to ‘simulate’ in these group activities, so speak up when you have an idea, even if it’s just a small one.

3. “Who wants to start?”

You do! Or at least I think you should. At least once or twice. On my first selection weekend, we had activities in small groups where we would get some sort of an ethical dilemma and had to do a ranking for example. In the end we would all go around in a circle and share our ranking with the group. What happened was, everyone ended up kind of having very similar rankings and I always ended up saying mine last, so I was left pretty much awkwardly repeating what we already heard 5 times. I learned from that experience, and during my second selection weekend, when it was time to share our ranking and one of the ‘evaluators’ asked “Who wants to go first?” I just went and said “I can go!”. For people who don’t want to seem too dominant this may seem daunting, but I promise you, in practice it’s not as bad as you think. It shows you are not afraid to say what you think and you don’t need to run your rankings by the other people first.

4. Stick to your opinion

In group activities and games, it may be that you suggest something and everyone is on board right away. But, it’s also very possible that the others in the group are skeptical of your idea and quietly look at you with confused looks. If this happens, don’t despair! The worst thing to do in that situation is drop your shoulders and quietly say “But we can do something else too”. Instead, calmly try to explain what you were thinking and why this might work or how you arrived at the conclusion that this might at least be a step in the right direction compared to the last thing you all tried to do. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” In those games, it’s good to have everyone contribute new ideas, even if the idea itself isn’t the solution, someone else might bounce off of it and think of something new and so you will arrive at the finish line much faster. Obviously, don’t be unnecessarily stubborn and insist on your idea because you think it’s the very best- remember that it’s a group effort and you have to compromise.

Just don’t instantly give up on something you said just cause people aren’t agreeing to it right away.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: HAVE FUN!

The selection weekend is your first opportunity to experience the UWC spirit, and you will truly meet some great people there who share the same values as you. You will have great conversations over dinner, question your own beliefs over challenging discussions and just get to hang out with really interesting people. Above all, it should be an enjoyable time, and even though I was very anxious during my first application process, I still had so much fun and I hope you will too.:)

BEING REJECTED If you are rejected but you are not too old yet, APPLY AGAIN NEXT YEAR! In the Austrian system, you are allowed to apply twice.

If you are 15 and get rejected, APPLY AGAIN NEXT YEAR, and I cannot emphasize this enough. I’ve heard before that people think “Oh, if I didn’t make it this time then why should I get in next year?” but just look at me- I didn’t even get into the final selection the first time I applied. People evolve, things happen, you change. A year is a time where a lot of stuff can happen, you can collect new experiences and work on yourself, so don’t just write it off. Also, if you are applying a second time it is definitely a positive, since the National Committee will see how much you want this and how dedicated you are.

5 thoughts on “ULTIMATE INTERVIEW/SELECTION WEEKEND GUIDE – TIPS FOR THE UWC APPLICATION PROCESS”

yES STELLA new blog post finally!! p.s. from another recent grad, cannot stress the last apply again point enough. some years UWC simply might not have a scholarship available for the school you want to go to = aka why you might not get a spot! some of the most important people to me are those who reapplied, and i cannot imagine what life would’ve been like had they not done so 😉

yes fully agree!! now don’t mind me, i’m just over here waiting for a new blog post on thenotoriusdreamer 😉

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can you send me the pdf form

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Scholarship Essays

United World College Scholarship Essay Example - Personal Statement

A personal statement (within 300 words) explaining why you are interested in attending a uwc school/college and reflecting on uwc's mission and values, what you might contribute to the school/college and what you would hope to gain from the experience.

About a year ago, I received an immense opportunity to go on an international excursion with 43 other nations to Gothenburg where I had to represent my nation and my culture. In other words, it was an adventure of a lifetime for me, one that taught me about multiculturalism, diversity, responsibility and self-dependence; one that I would like to take again. So I began my hunt for greater opportunities that could once again let me experience the magic behind multiculturalism and more importantly, help shape myself into a better person by being more open to diversity.

I had the incredible luck to come across UWC's website during one of my hunts, and was instantly enticed by what each school had to offer. Cultural exchange, the challenging IB curriculum, community service, extracurricular activities and plenty of time to have fun -all these are basically everything I could ask for in a journey of two years, specially being a person who likes to keep busy. Moreover, it seems incredible to me that so much can be done and learnt in this time span, and I'm definitely eager to take this ride.

In order to contribute to the UWC community, I believe I have the requisite skills and characteristics that would help make the two years in college productive and successful. To begin with, I am naturally comfortable with diversity and curious about different worldviews and belief systems, so I plan to learn a lot about the different cultures as well as let others know about mine. Furthermore, I am particularly keen to contribute to various social services and community projects because I want to make use of the experiences and knowledge I have gathered from working in different non-profit organizations throughout my life. Lastly, having been a sportsman all my life, I wish to be involved in any of UWC's sports team which I can help lead to victory; where I can form a bond with other players from different social and cultural backgrounds, and where I can make every player recognize their worth and help them face challenges together.

From experiencing two years at a UWC, I hope to achieve a deeper level of intercultural understanding so that I can become more globally engaged. I also aspire to gain meaningful social relationships across culturally diverse groups as well as learn to be more compassionate and understanding from doing the CAS program and similar service works. All in all, I am hoping to have the time of my life in these two years which will be a journey of self exploration, adventures and lots of learning.

Original Source: Essay Forum

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Tips for getting winning references for your UWC application

As you work your way through the application to join a UWC school or college, depending on the application process that you're following you may be asked to provide references from both an academic referee and a non-academic referee.

Your references are an essential part of your application and are held in the highest regard in the decisions that we make about your application. In this post, we offer some tips and hints for helping you to get the most out of your referees.

Who should I ask?

• For your academic referee, this should be a teacher (or another education professional) from your current school. They should understand your academic ability, but also be able to reflect on your contribution to the school community, and your character.
• For your non-academic referee, you might wish to ask someone related to your hobbies or interests outside of school. This might be a sports coach, a local community group leader, or the organiser of another activity that you’re involved in. It’s important that they know you well enough to be able to really reflect on your character and strengths.

When should I ask them?

• As soon as you possibly can! It’s important not to leave this until the last minute.
• For some of our applicants, our application deadline might fall at the start of a new school year. This is a busy time for teachers, and they may be asked to write several references for others too.
• For some of your non-academic referees, they may not be familiar with writing references and so they might want a little more time to think about what to write and how to approach it.
• Ask them early so that you can be one of the first references that they’re writing. That way they won’t yet be fatigued of writing lots of references or won’t feel like they have to rush it at the last minute. Giving them plenty of time will allow them to show you in the best light.
• Asking them to write your reference early also gives the opportunity for you to discuss your choice to apply to UWC with them properly. If they’re not familiar with us already, it’ll also give them time to get to know us, understand why we’re different, and reflect on whether we’re a great fit for you.

What should they reflect on?

• what UWC is ;
• our principles and education model ;
• and our  selection criteria .
• For each referee, we ask them to reflect on different elements of your character. This is usually set out in the application form, but to recap...
• Academic motivation
• Interest in being involved in activities outside of school
• Ability to be organised
• Interaction with others
• Maturity and balance
• Adaptability
• Verbal and written communication
• Ability to handle stress
• Other strengths and weaknesses.
• Interests for being involved outside of school
• Ability to organise yourself
• Oral and written communication

Remember, the sooner you ask your referees to write your references, the more opportunity you create for them to write a winning reference for you!

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Indiana University Indianapolis

University writing center, university writing center blog, tips to beat back writing anxiety.

Written by: Abigail H.

Most of us have been there at some point – staring at the cursor as it blinks on a blank page, waiting for the perfect words to hit, feeling the dread and anxiety run down your back as the deadline looms ever-nearer. For many, writing isn’t an easy, sit-down-and-let’s-get-started task. It’s filled with uncertainty, reluctance, procrastination, and writer’s block. It’s listening to voices screaming “Perfection!” so loudly that you can’t even hear your own thoughts. It’s waiting until the last minute and then spending all night frantically typing up a paper, promising yourself you’ll never let it get this bad again, only to repeat the process on the next essay. This becomes a major problem when you’re a college student whose academic well-being practically depends on writing.

So, here are a few tips and tricks that can help you push through “writing anxiety” and make the process a bit easier:

• Break the assignment into manageable pieces.

Sometimes just dividing the assignment into a series of steps makes it feel a lot more do-able. Creating multiple steps also has the benefit of lengthening the time before you actually begin writing. You can schedule in time for research, brainstorming, and outlining, giving you the chance to work on the project without actually having to write. This not only helps you avoid procrastination (as you are consistently working on the project), but it also makes it much easier to write when you’re ready to begin (as you already have everything planned out).

• Start writing with a no-stakes draft.

If you dread actually writing something (like me), or if that editor in your head won’t stop nitpicking every little thing, give yourself one draft where you absolutely let loose. Don’t worry about grammar or word choice, just look at your outline or your prompt and write . Set a timer for 15-30 minutes. Create a word limit for yourself. Turn off your monitor so you can’t see what you’re writing if you have to. Just keep going until the timer goes off, or the word limit is reached, or you’ve exhausted all your ideas. Sure, you’ll end up with an absolute mess at the end, but the hard part – the getting started – will have already been done. And in that mess will be everything you need for the paper – all your ideas and the connections between those ideas, all the possibilities you could explore, all the goals you have. All you’ll have to do is reshape it.

• Create a writing ritual.

There is comfort in familiarity. And just as you have a certain way you get ready in the morning, having a ritual for writing can make the act so much easier. Find the specific time (morning? afternoon? middle of the night?), place (corner of a coffee shop? your kitchen counter? the great outdoors?), and conditions (hot? cold? quiet? loud?) in which you work best, and continue to write in those situations. Eventually, the ritual will become habitual, and simply setting yourself up in that location will get you in the writing mindset. Feel free to play around and explore with this. There’s no rule saying your ritual has to make sense – just do what works best for you.

• Be realistic with yourself.

Is this paper actually going to ruin your life if you don’t get it just right? Can you really create the most amazing essay in the universe in one go? And are you truly a bad writer if you can’t? Pause before you begin writing; be kind to yourself, look back at how much you’ve already grown, and set a few realistic goals for the paper (“I want to improve my thesis statement,” “I want to get better at integrating sources,” “I want to create a solid introduction,” etc.). Don’t worry about becoming the world’s next best writer. Just take a breath and do the best you can do at that moment. Everything else will fall into place.

• Bribe yourself.

There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a little extra incentive to get writing. Make a cup of your favorite tea or coffee right before you begin. Plan an evening out with friends after you finish an essay, or binge watch a few Netflix shows. Promise yourself a piece of cake if you need to. Having something to look forward to can give you that extra push to get finished. And the quicker you get the assignment done, the faster you’ll get your reward.

• Come visit the UWC!

We’re always happy to help you with any type of writing, at any stage, and with any issues you may be having. Sometimes just talking through an assignment with someone or brainstorming a few ideas can be all the push you need to get started. And we’re always ready to provide a little extra encouragement or talk about your concerns with writing in general. At the end of the day, we’re here to support you, and we wish you all the best of luck!

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Mastering the art of essay writing – a comprehensive guide.

Essay writing is a fundamental skill that every student needs to master. Whether you’re in high school, college, or beyond, the ability to write a strong, coherent essay is essential for academic success. However, many students find the process of writing an essay daunting and overwhelming.

This comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the intricate world of essay writing. From understanding the basics of essay structure to mastering the art of crafting a compelling thesis statement, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the tools and knowledge you need to write an outstanding essay that will impress your teachers and classmates alike.

So, grab your pen and paper (or fire up your laptop) and let’s dive into the ultimate guide to writing an essay. Follow our tips and tricks, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled and confident essay writer!

The Art of Essay Writing: A Comprehensive Guide

Essay writing is a skill that requires practice, patience, and attention to detail. Whether you’re a student working on an assignment or a professional writing for publication, mastering the art of essay writing can help you communicate your ideas effectively and persuasively.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key elements of a successful essay, including how to choose a topic, structure your essay, and craft a compelling thesis statement. We’ll also discuss the importance of research, editing, and proofreading, and provide tips for improving your writing style and grammar.

By following the advice in this guide, you can become a more confident and skilled essay writer, capable of producing high-quality, engaging essays that will impress your readers and achieve your goals.

Understanding the Essay Structure

When it comes to writing an essay, understanding the structure is key to producing a cohesive and well-organized piece of writing. An essay typically consists of three main parts: an introduction, the body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Introduction: The introduction is where you introduce your topic and provide some background information. It should also include your thesis statement, which is the main idea or argument that you will be discussing in the essay.

Body paragraphs: The body of the essay is where you present your supporting evidence and arguments. Each paragraph should focus on a separate point and include evidence to back up your claims. Remember to use transition words to link your ideas together cohesively.

Conclusion: The conclusion is where you wrap up your essay by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis. It is also a good place to make any final thoughts or reflections on the topic.

Understanding the structure of an essay will help you write more effectively and communicate your ideas clearly to your readers.

Choosing the Right Topic for Your Essay

One of the most crucial steps in writing a successful essay is selecting the right topic. The topic you choose will determine the direction and focus of your writing, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect topic for your essay:

By following these tips and considering your interests, audience, and research, you can choose a topic that will inspire you to write an engaging and compelling essay.

Research and Gathering Information

When writing an essay, conducting thorough research and gathering relevant information is crucial. Here are some tips to help you with your research:

Crafting a Compelling Thesis Statement

When writing an essay, one of the most crucial elements is the thesis statement. This statement serves as the main point of your essay, summarizing the argument or position you will be taking. Crafting a compelling thesis statement is essential for a strong and cohesive essay. Here are some tips to help you create an effective thesis statement:

• Be specific: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main idea of your essay. Avoid vague or general statements.
• Make it arguable: A strong thesis statement is debatable and presents a clear position that can be supported with evidence.
• Avoid clichés: Stay away from overused phrases or clichés in your thesis statement. Instead, strive for originality and clarity.
• Keep it concise: Your thesis statement should be concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words or phrases.
• Take a stand: Your thesis statement should express a clear stance on the topic. Don’t be afraid to assert your position.

By following these guidelines, you can craft a compelling thesis statement that sets the tone for your essay and guides your reader through your argument.

Writing the Body of Your Essay

Once you have your introduction in place, it’s time to dive into the body of your essay. The body paragraphs are where you will present your main arguments or points to support your thesis statement.

Here are some tips for writing the body of your essay:

• Stick to One Main Idea: Each paragraph should focus on one main idea or argument. This will help keep your essay organized and easy to follow.
• Use Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
• Provide Evidence: Support your main points with evidence such as facts, statistics, examples, or quotes from experts.
• Explain Your Points: Don’t just state your points; also explain how they support your thesis and why they are important.
• Use Transition Words: Use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and create a smooth flow between paragraphs.

Remember to refer back to your thesis statement and make sure that each paragraph contributes to your overall argument. The body of your essay is where you can really showcase your critical thinking and analytical skills, so take the time to craft well-developed and coherent paragraphs.

Perfecting Your Essay with Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are essential steps in the essay writing process to ensure your work is polished and error-free. Here are some tips to help you perfect your essay:

• Take a Break: After writing your essay, take a break before starting the editing process. This will help you look at your work with fresh eyes.
• Focus on Structure: Check the overall structure of your essay, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Make sure your ideas flow logically and cohesively.
• Check for Clarity: Ensure that your arguments are clear and easy to follow. Eliminate any jargon or confusing language that might obscure your message.
• Grammar and Punctuation: Review your essay for grammar and punctuation errors. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, and proper punctuation usage.
• Use a Spell Checker: Run a spell check on your essay to catch any spelling mistakes. However, don’t rely solely on spell checkers as they may miss certain errors.
• Read Aloud: Read your essay aloud to yourself or have someone else read it to you. This can help you identify awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.
• Get Feedback: Consider getting feedback from a peer, teacher, or writing tutor. They can offer valuable insights and suggestions for improving your essay.

By following these editing and proofreading tips, you can ensure that your essay is well-crafted, organized, and free of errors, helping you make a strong impression on your readers.

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University Writing Centre: English Studies: UWC Mission Statement and Guidelines

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UWC Mission Statement

The primary mission of the University Writing Centre is to serve the writing needs of all students at the University of The Bahamas. A secondary mission involves serving the writing needs of the UB community and, in the near future, the needs of the wider island community.

In order of priority, the UWC's first operating principle is to encourage students to take and maintain a positive attitude towards their writing. The UWC aims to assist students in college preparatory courses in developing their writing skills in order to proceed to college level English courses, and it also aims to work with any other student at any stage of the writing process.

A second principle is that the writer does his or her own writing. Facilitators will not write papers or be used as proof-readers for homework assignments. Facilitators will, using common tutoring procedures, guide the student writer through the prewriting and drafting processes that lead eventually to the finished essay. The goal is to improve the writer and the writing, not perfect it.

A third principle is that in one-to-one tutoring, higher-order concerns (like invention, finding sources of content, thesis generation, structuring and developing ideas with specific, concrete support) take precedence over lower-order ones (like syntax, grammar, mechanics, dialectal differences, etc). Students in the final stages of a draft may request help with specific grammatical concerns, but facilitators will address these areas only after higher level concerns are discussed. Exercises that assist understanding of lower order concerns also may be used to improve students' understanding of various grammatical concerns.

The mission of the UWC is fulfilled when the student or client is satisfied that he or she is more confident about writing effectively and reading his or her work critically. The focus, therefore, is always on improving the skills of the writer through the specific sample of writing.  

LRC Rules and Guidelines for Students

Students who need help with essays or the writing process:

• Must make an appointment by registering and signing up in the online scheduler (our database) at: mywco.com/ub . The appointment session will take place in the UWC in Room F8. Each session generally runs for 30 mins.  If your essay or paper is more than 5 pages long, please book two concurrent 30 minute sessions.
• Must bring relevant material with them, i.e. the assignment and/or instructions, a CLEAN copy of the document to be reviewed (only 1 per session), specific questions/concerns.
• Should not be more than ten minutes late for an appointment.
• Students who are more than ten minutes late will lose the time slot to another student and will have to make another appointment online.
• Students may not "leave a copy" of an essay to be "picked up" at a later time/date.
• Students who need help with essays may be limited to two sessions per week, but may come in as often as necessary to complete/review grammar exercises, read, write, study, etc.
• E-mail an electronic copy of their short papers (4-6 pages) at least 1 day in advance of their appointment.
• Submit longer research/term papers at least 2 days in advance of their appointment.

Students who have scheduled appointments may use the computers to:

• Type documents.
• Use writing/instructional software.
• Review information/web sites relating to their writing projects.
• Print their papers.

Students will not be allowed to use computers to:

• Play games.
• Chat online.
• View entertainment websites.

If it becomes necessary during the course of the semester, students will be given a two hour time limit for computer use.

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University Writing Center

Undergraduate Students

The University Writing Center was founded in 1993 to help UT Austin students become more proficient, more versatile, and more confident writers. The UWC can help students from any major, with any writing project, at any point on their college career. Writers of all abilities come here to do what professional writers do: get another person’s response to their writing.

Writing Appointments

To maximize support for online learning, we have lifted restrictions on the number of consultations students can have per semester. Find out more and schedule an appointment!

Presentations

Request a presentation for your student organization or suggest that your teacher request one for your class.

Find the full list of our resources on the main handouts page. A selection of undergrad-specific resources are listed below.

Find out more about our mission to be inclusive and accessible to all UT students.

Interested in working here? Find out about our job opportunities!

Accessibility

Find out more about accessibility at the UWC.

Resources for Undergrads

Additional resources.

• ChatGPT & LLMs_2023
• Code-Switching and Code-Meshing
• College Writing Myths
• Entrepreneurship Resources
• Hire an Editor
• Peer Review (45-50min)
• Peer Review (45-50min) Presenter Template
• Psychology CVs
• RHE 306 Recommended Presentations Schedule
• Resources for Multilingual Writers
• Résumé-Writing Resources

Grammar, Usage, & Punctuation

• Definite and Indefinite Articles Flow Chart
• Eliminating Wordiness
• Resisting Clichés

Research Papers and Lab Reports

• Data Presentation
• Editing Lab Reports
• Lab Reports
• Paraphrasing
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Steps for Writing a Research Paper
• Tips for Writing Lab Reports
• Using and Framing Direct Quotations
• Writing Lab Reports (45-50min)
• Writing Research Introductions
• Writing Research Papers (30-40min)
• Avoiding Plagiarism (25-35 min)
• Avoiding Plagiarism (25-35 min) Activity
• Brainstorming
• Conclusions
• Final Revisions Checklist
• Grammarly Presentation (30-35 min)
• How to Edit Your Own Writing
• Introduction to the UWC (10-15 min)
• Introductions
• Writing in Process (15-30min)

Writing Guides

• Analyzing Poetry
• Art and Art History Papers: Formal Analysis and Comparative Analysis
• Close Reading Literature
• Cover Letters
• How to Construct and Format a Resume
• Making the Transition from High School to College Writing
• Personal Statements
• Personal Statements: Models for Generating Content
• Revising Essays and Research Papers (45-50min)
• Rhetorical Analysis
• Rhetorical Fallacies
• Sentence Clarity (45-50min)
• Transitioning from High School to University-Level Writing (45-50min)
• Writing Abstracts (45-50min)
• Writing Effective Internal Transfer Essays ( 35-45 min. )
• Writing Literature Reviews (25-35min)
• Writing Personal Statements (35-45min)
• Writing Resumes, CVs, and Cover Letters (45-50min)

• About Our Consultations
• Online Consultations
• Policies & Procedures
• Become A Consultant
• For Students
• For Faculty
• Refer a Student
• Request a Presentation

Find Resources

Planning and organizing.

Rhetorical Context Topic Development Creative Introductions Structure and Outlining Writing Conclusions

Academic Writing

Thesis Statement Three Appeals Argument Logical Fallacies Quoting vs. Paraphrasing Guide to Passive Voice (BioMedicalEditor) How to Write with Academic Voice  (Walden U) Tips for Maintaining Academic Voice (Walden U)

MLA, APA, and Chicago Citations

Plagiarism and Misuse of Sources Quoting and Paraphrasing

MLA Parenthetical Documentation MLA Documentation and Works Cited Page MLA Practice Template and Examples MLA Formatting and Style Guide (OWL @ Purdue)

APA Format: Reference Page APA Format: Citing Online Sources APA Format: Parenthetical Documentation APA Format: Citing Websites APA Formatting and Style Guide (OWL @ Purdue) APA Style: Central site for the most recent APA guidelines APA basics, a video tutorial

Chicago Format: Note Method Chicago Format: Bibliography The Chicago Manual of Style Online

Links to Other Citations

AAA: American Anthropological Association Style Guide ACS: American Chemical Society Style Guide AAIP: American Institute of Physics Style Manual AMA: American Medical Association – UWC Quick Reference Handout APSA: American Political Science Association Style Guide ASABE: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Guide for Authors CBE: Council of Biology Editors Style Guide for Bibliographies and Footnotes CSE: Council of Science Editors Online Style Guide

ASA: American Sociological Association

OWL at Purdue on ASA ASA Quick Style Guide

IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Quick Reference Guide: IEEE Style IEEE Editorial Style Manual Online

Common Assignments Across Disciplines

Research Paper Checklist Lab Report Natural Sciences Sample MLA Annotated Bibliography Writing a Literature Review—General Information Guide for Writing in Theatre (Southwestern University) Screenwriting Revision Tips (Creative Screenwriting) How to Review a Play  (UWisc – Madison) Matt Stone and Trey Parker on Story Writing (YouTube) Guide to Writing Chemistry Lab Reports (APU) Steps to Writing a Literature Review (U Guelph) Guide to Writing a Literature Review (VA Commonwealth) Synthesizing Sources for Literature Reviews  (IUPUI) What is an Abstract?  (UNC – Chapel Hill) Sample Abstracts  (Mich. SU) Writing an IMRaD Report  (George Mason U)

Grammar and Punctuation

Error Log Bare Minimum Grammar

Five Easy Comma Rules The Semi-Colon: Making Connections How to Identify and Fix Comma Splices

Dashes and Parentheses How to Choose the Right Article Article Chart Prepositions Five Serious Mistakes Proofreading Checklist Proofreading Techniques Grammar Help (English Linx) Guide to Grammar (TestDen) Teach Now: Interactive Grammar Exercises  (Better English) Grammar Bytes: Useful Exercises in Grammar (Chomp Chomp)

List of print resources on grammar available at the UWC

Improving Coherence Coherence between Paragraphs Transitions Eliminating Redundancy Concision Checklist Avoiding Ambiguous Words Avoiding Sexist Writing

List of print resources on style available at the UWC

Graduate Applications and Writing

UCF Office of Instructional Resources UCF Thesis & Dissertation Formatting Preparing for the Defense Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center: Dissertation Guide Writing a Grant Proposal UCF Office of Research UCF Library: Resources for Grants Guidelines for Writing Your Personal Statement Writing Personal Statements Preparing a Conference Proposal Preparing to Present a Conference Paper

List of print resources on graduate writing available at the UWC

Job Search Writing

Resume Basics Action Verbs to Use in Resumes Sample Cover Letters Creating a Reference Sheet Curriculum Vitae FAQs UCF Career Services: Build Your Resume and Cover Letter

Recursos en Español

Rhetorical Context – situación retórica (Libretexts español) Rhetorical Analysis – análisis retórico (Excelsior Writing Lab) Rhetoric – retórica (Xunta de Galicia)

Topic Development – ¿Cómo redactar un tema? (Universidad de Málaga) Topic Development – Cómo exponer y desarrollar un tema (Gobierno de Canarias)

Introductions and Conclusions – Introducciónes y conclusiones (Excelsior Writing Lab) What is an introduction? – ¿Qué es una introducción? (SciELO Colombia)

How to construct a paragraph – Construcción de párrafos en escritura académica (Bibliotecas PUCV) Writing an Essay – Guía para la escritura del ensayo (Universidad Piloto de Colombia)

Recursos para estudiantes para escribir (Universidad Javeriana Cali)

Thesis Statement – Partes de una declaración de tesis (Excelsior Writing Lab) Thesis Statement – declaración de tesis (Allan Hancock College Writing Center) How to write a thesis statement – ¿Cómo formular una tesis para un texto argumentativo? (Universidad de los Andes Colombia)

Three Appeals – Ethos, Pathos y Logos (SERCA)

Logical fallacies – Falacias lógicas (XTEC)

APA Quoting and Paraphrasing – Cita Textual o directa  (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) MLA citations and quoting – MLA Citaciones en texto (Purdue OWL) Chicago citations and quoting – Guía para citar de acuerdo al Manual de estilo de Chicago  (Instituto Technologico de Santo Domingo)

Passive Voice in English – La voz pasiva en inglés (ABA English) Passive and active voice in scientific writing – Cómo usar la voz pasiva y la voz activa en tus artículos científicos  (Ineditum)

Academic Voice – Voz académica (Excelsior Writing Lab)

Avoiding Plagiarism – Cómo Evitar el Plagio (Scribbr)

MLA Citations – MLA Citaciones en texto: Lo Básico (Purdue OWL)

APA General Format – APA Formato General (Purdue OWL)

Chicago Format Citations – Estilo Chicago: Cómo se deben citar las fuentes (Normas APA)

Chemistry Lab Report – ¿Cómo escribir un informe de laboratorio en Química? (Universidad de Chile) The Lab Report – El informe de Laboratorio (CELEE) Writing lab reports – Guía para la redacción de reportes de laboratorio (Universidad de Sonora)

How to write a research paper – Aprende cómo redactar un trabajo de investigación (EUROINNOVA) Tips for writing research papers – Consejos para escribir trabajos de investigación (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

Annotated Bibliography – Bibliografías Anotadas (Cornell University Library) Annotated Bibliography – Como preparar una bibliografía anotada (Universidad Ana G. Mendez) Annotated Bibliography – Bibliografía anotada (UPR Carolina)

Scriptwriting – ¿Quieres aprender cómo se elabora un guion? (EUROINNOVA) Writing a Play – CÓMO ESCRIBIR UNA OBRA DE TEATRO EN 6 PASOS (Scena Malaga) Film review writing – Cómo hacer una review en inglés (British Council)

Book review – Cómo escribir una reseña en 10 pasos (Lectura Abierta)

Literature Review – Cómo escribir una buena revisión de literatura (Enago)

Abstracts – ¿Qué es un Abstract y cómo hacerlo correctamente? (Tesis y Masters) Abstracts – Guía para redactar su resumen (abstract) (Revista Costarricense de Psicologia)

Commas – Uso de la coma para mejorar tu narrativa transmedia (IEBS) Commas – La coma (Division de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades UAM Iztapalapa) Commas and Semicolons – Coma y punto y coma en inglés (GCF Global)

Hyphens and dashes – Guiones: “hyphen” y “dash” (EF)

Punctuation marks in English- CÓMO USAR LOS SIGNOS DE PUNTUACIÓN EN INGLÉS CORRECTAMENTE (Kaplan International) Punctuation marks in English – Aprende a usar los signos de puntuación en inglés (Wall Street English)

Prepositions – Definición, uso, listado y ejemplos de las preposiciones (UPB)

Writing an essay: common mistakes to avoid – Escribir un ensayo: errores comunes que debes evitar (U Del Istmo) 20 most common grammatical errors – Los 20 errores gramaticales más comunes (Excelsior Writing Lab)

Transitions in writing – mejorando la escritura: las transiciones (U of Kansas Acceso)

Figurative language – Principales figuras retóricas: qué son y ejemplos (Esneca Business School)

Resumes in Spanish – Resume en español: ejemplos y formatos (Indeed) Resume basics – cómo editar un resume (Universidad del Sagrado Corazon)

Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Cómo hacer un Curriculum Vitae (Universidad de Alicante) Curriculum Vitae (CV) – ¿Cómo se prepara un Currículum Vitae? (Universidad National de Cuyo)

Cover Letter – ¿Cómo hacer un cover letter? (Crehana) Cover letter: Qué es y como crearla en perfecto inglés (Cambridge)

How to write a reference letter – Qué debe incluir una carta de referencia o recomendación (Indeed)

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Thank you for choosing to apply to the United World Colleges. We are excited to have you as an applicant, and wish you every success!

This section contains important information regarding the application process. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] and we will do our best to answer them as quickly as we can. Before applying, please check your eligibility . If you require any further clarifications regarding your eligibility please reach out to [email protected] .

Please allow sufficient time to complete your application. You can save the progress of your application at any time and come back to it later.

The deadline for the submission of applications is 20-November-2023 .

Documents and Information

To apply you will require the following documents:

• Recent photograph of yourself
• If you are an Indian citizen living in India, it is mandatory that you upload your Aadhaar card as proof of identity. Indian citizens living abroad have the option to upload their Aadhaar card, passport, or OCI card as proof of identity. Overseas citizens residing in India at the time of application have the option to upload their passport or Aadhaar card as proof of identity.
• Grade 9 marksheet
• Grade 10 marksheet (if available; mandatory for those currently in Grade 11))

You should be prepared with the following information:

• Your top 3 preferences for UWC colleges
• Information about the school you attend

For a step-by-step walkthrough on how to fill your UWC application form, please review the How to Apply section

Parent/Guardian:

Speak to your parents/guardian about your application process.

• You will need to provide details of parents/guardian
• An email with a link will be sent to them
• They will need to follow the link in a web browser and provide requisite information

Principal/Teacher:

Speak to your school principal/teacher about giving you a recommendation. If you are currently in Grade 11, you should talk to your Grade 10 teacher or previous school principal.

• You will need to provide an e-mail address for the principal or teacher that you nominate
• They will need to follow the link in a web browser and provide requisite information, including a written recommendation

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must fulfil all the following conditions:

• Indian Nationals or PIO/OCI Cardholders or residents in India at the time of application
• Born between 01 June 2006 and 01 September 2008 ( Note: Younger applicants aged up to 15 years and 6 months and in 10th grade with exceptional applications may be considered)
• Currently be in Grade 10 or 11 (home school or alternatively schooled equivalents acceptable)

Application Process

You are applying to study at one of 18 United World Colleges for two years, which will see you gain an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The Application

This is the first of two stages of the selections process. You will be asked to complete an application form. As part of the online application form you will be required to answer a number of questions about yourself, write four short essays, submit your school marksheets and provide us with references from your school principal / teacher. These will then be assessed by us.

Selection Activities

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to interview with us. Typically the selections interview takes place at the UWC Mahindra College Campus.

Submit your Financial Assessment Form

Shortlisted applicants will also go through a financial assessment to determine their family’s ability to contribute to their education. All students attending a UWC are selected on demonstrated academic promise and potential as far as college funds allow. The financial situation of a family comes into play only once the candidates have been shortlisted. Scholarships are offered to students going by their merit rank order with demonstrated need for such financial help. Financial assistance is determined on the review of the Financial Assessment form which is required to be filled up by the parents / guardians of all applicants shortlisted for the interview.

Selection Criteria

Our students are selected based on their potential to build a better world. We look for merit based achievements in the context of " How has this applicant best made use of the opportunities available to them? ." Applicants will be assessed against the following UWC selection criteria and other criteria that the National Committee thinks relevant.

Each year, we look for applicants to join our schools, who bring the following:

Intellectual curiosity: You love learning about the world around you - both inside and outside the classroom. You have at least one academic area that you are passionate about, and would like to explore further. You are able to recognise global and local issues, and analyse them critically.

Active commitment to your own values and those of UWC: You share UWC's values and show a commitment to follow UWC's code of conduct. You have humility and the ability to listen to, and value, other people’s opinions. You appreciate that although others may have different points of view, they may also be right. You promote UWC's values in your daily life, and act as a global citizen of the world.

Social competence: You interact respectfully with others, understanding and appreciating their viewpoints and perspectives, and you are able to work within a team to find solutions to problems. You know how to express yourself appropriately in different situations and to different people.

Resilience, self-awareness and independence: You can look after yourself physically and emotionally during challenging situations, for example in a boarding school environment. You have developed good coping strategies, and you are not easily overwhelmed. You also know when to ask for help for yourself, and for others.

Personal responsibility and integrity: You can express and examine your own values, and you are ready to contrast and reflect on them in comparison to the values of others. The way you behave within your family and community reflects your values and beliefs. You can communicate your own needs and are mindful of those of others, demonstrating a sense of communal responsibility.

Academic robustness: You have the potential to meet the rigorous demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

1. Check your eligibility

To apply to the UWC Committee of India applicants must fulfil all the following conditions:

• Currently in Grade 10 or 11 (home school or alternatively schooled equivalents acceptable)

If you require any further clarifications regarding your eligibility please reach out to [email protected] or call us at 7208843286 / 7208843287 between 10 am to 6 pm on working days.

Application Deadline: 20-November-2023

2. Create an account

• Click here to create your account
• Use a valid personal email id to begin creating your account

3. Application fee payment

• To initiate your application through this portal you must make your payment via credit/debit card, netbanking, wallet or mobile payment. All payments must be made by an adult with due consent of the cardholder/account holder
• Applicants from low-income backgrounds may be eligible for fee waiver. Application fee waivers are available for applicants showing demonstrable need

4. Personal and academic details

• To make your application process easier, keep your personal details (i.e. address, passport number if available, proof of identity, photograph) handy
• Keep a scanned and attested copy of your Grade 9 (mandatory) and 10 marksheets (if available)
• Read about UWC campuses and finalize your preferences for UWCs
• Have your school details ready

5. Parent Consent and School Recommendation

• Speak to your parents and let them know they will also need to fill in a section of your form pertaining to parents
• Speak to your chosen faculty member about writing you a recommendation and what they can expect
• You are required to nominate only one parent/guardian and one teacher to fill in these sections of your application form

6. Plan Essays

• Take a look at the essay questions and plan your responses
• You can save your application in progress. Take time to prepare your responses and then resume your application

7. Recommendations

• A recommendation request will go out to your teacher once you complete and submit the 'Academics' section of your application
• A consent form will be sent to your parent/guardian for them to fill in and submit once you complete and submit the 'Family' section of your application
• We recommend completing the 'Academics' and 'Family' sections of your application early in order to give your teacher and parent/guardian enough time to complete their sections
• Ensure that you confirm with your selected faculty member, that they will be willing to write you a recommendation before you submit their details as part of your application

8. Submit application

• Read through the details you have entered
• Ensure that the documents you have uploaded are correct, attested, legible and in the right format
• Confirm the details of your faculty members and parents that you have entered
• Confirm the academic details you have submitted
• Review your essay responses
• Once you are sure of your application, click on the 'Submit' button to submit it
• Your application will not be considered complete until we receive the parent consent and school recommendation

9. Follow up

• Once you have submitted your application, you can follow up with your nominated faculty member for their recommendation and parent for their consent
• You can see their progress from your application dashboard
• Once they submit their recommendation and details your application will automatically be submitted
• You will be notified of your application progress at your registered email address
• You will get a confirmation email after you, your parent/guardian, and your nominated teacher/principal successfully complete and submit the application

Financial Requirements

You and your family's financial situation will not affect the selection process. We do have some financial aid available, to qualify for which, shortlisted candidates will need to fill in a financial assessment form that will help us assess the financial aid requirement.

Eligibility Requirements

• Born between 01 Jun 2006 and 01 Sep 2008 ( Note: Younger applicants aged up to 15 years and 6 months and in 10th grade with exceptional applications may be considered)

Parental Consent

We will need one of your parents or guardians to fill out the parental consent form which is part of the application process.

Application Fee

The fee for applying to United World Colleges through the UWC National Committee India is INR 5,500. This fee is non-refundable even if your application is not successful. Please ensure that you have reviewed eligibility criteria and detailed instructions on the application process . Once the payment is made it cannot be refunded or transferred.

Application fee waivers are available for applicants showing demonstrable need.

The deadline for submitting your application is 20-November-2023 . We will only assess your application if by that point:

• You have filled out all sections of the application
• You have submitted your marksheet(s)
• Your parents/guardians have sent in their consent form
• Your school principal/teacher has sent in their recommendation, and
• You have clicked on 'Submit application' at the end of your application and have received a confirmation email from us

Want to know more?

Frequently asked questions.

Undergraduate Writing Center

The Undergraduate Writing Center is dedicated to helping undergraduate students succeed in and outside of the classroom. The UWC offers consultations for class assignments and other writing projects, such as scholarship and graduate school applications. The UWC offers face-to-face, synchronous online, and asynchronous consultations. Learn more about these appointment options.

We can't wait to assist you with all your writing needs! 

Click here to review your appointments

Hours and Locations

In-Class Workshops

Info Sessions

Writing Resources

Citation Help

Video Resources

Writing Groups

Meet the Consultants

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I’m an Appellate Lawyer in Manhattan. If Trump Appeals His Conviction, He Faces Long Odds.

By Roger L. Stavis

Mr. Stavis is a defense and appellate lawyer and a former prosecutor in New York City.

Donald Trump has vowed to appeal his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Some on the right have argued that the trial was a target-rich environment for an appeal. Others have said that the U.S. Supreme Court should step in and provide relief to Mr. Trump.

Nevertheless, the process will begin in New York, where state law gives Mr. Trump — and any other individual with a criminal conviction — an absolute right to an appeal before an intermediate appellate court known as the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department.

As a prosecutor and a defense attorney for decades, I have argued hundreds of cases at this court. I’ve looked closely at the Trump case. The burning question now is: Could his conviction be reversed on appeal? My answer is: The chances of that are not good.

Mr. Trump’s legal team can approach his appeal on several fronts, but only one, concerning the legal theory behind the falsifying business records charge, is likely to hold out anything more than the slimmest of hopes for the former president.

In recent years, the Appellate Division, First Department, has reversed appeals from criminal convictions in only about 4 to 6 percent of cases. These long odds should come as no surprise. While the Constitution guarantees criminal defendants a fair trial, it does not guarantee them a perfect one.

To warrant reversal of a jury’s verdict on account of an error, the appellate court must find that an error of some kind led directly to the conviction. A technical error that does not rise to that level is called a harmless error and will not cause a reversal of a conviction.

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