The competition to get into your college of choice has never beenfiercer. Unfortunately, much of the application process is out ofyour hands. But one major aspect of the admission process is underyour control--your personal statement. Your application essayprovides you with the opportunity to let your true, unique andtotally irresistible self shine through.College Admission Essays For Dummies is your total guideto crafting application essays that will make people sit up andtake notice. It demystifies the authority figures who'lljudge your work, helps you decide what to write, and then arms youwith the knowledge and skills you need to write your essay on timeand on target. Step by step, it walks you through the entireessay-writing process, offering priceless tips on how to:* Choose the best topic, tone, and structure for your essay* Capture the crucial stories that reveal who you are* Avoid common pitfalls that can sabotage your application* Overcome writer's block* Know how to respond to unusual and off-the-wall essayquestions* Write successful short answers to specific applicationquestionsCollege admission guru Geraldine Woods punctures common mythsabout application essays and tells you what you absolutely must doto write a good one. With the help of many inspiring andinstructive killer essays, she shows you how to:* Put yourself in the right mental state for writing well* Gather ideas, focus on a topic and choose the best structurefor your essay* Use topic sentences, detail, and strong introductions andconclusions* Write a rough draft* Show rather than tell your story* Make sure your spelling and grammar are pitch perfect* Create smooth transitions and avoid repetitionsYour college application essay is your chance to show thecommittee that you're more than just a statistic. LetCollege Admission Essays For Dummies show you how to write"admit-clinching" college essays.

Introduction.Part I: Putting Yourself on Paper.Chapter 1: Becoming More Than a Statistic: What the Essay Doesfor You.Chapter 2: Exploring the Subject of the EssayYourself.Chapter 3: Writing for the Tired, the Poor (The AdmissionsOffice).Chapter 4: Keeping It Legal.Part II: Getting Your Head Ready for Writing.Chapter 5: Writing as Process, Not Product.Chapter 6: Storming Your Brain: Idea Gathering Techniques.Chapter 7: Building a Structure to Support Your Ideas.Chapter 8: Putting It All In Order: Creating an Outline.Part III: Writing the Rough Draft.Chapter 9: Showing, Not Telling Your Story.Chapter 10: Constructing Good Paragraphs.Chapter 11: Leading with Your Best Shot.Chapter 12: Going Out with a Bang: The Conclusion.Chapter 13: Overcoming Writer's Block.Part IV: I'd Like to Finish before Retirement Age: TheFinal Draft.Chapter 14: Making a List and Checking It Twice: Grammar andSpelling.Chapter 15: Smoothing the Rough Edges: Polishing the Essay.Chapter 16: Leaving a Good Impression.Chapter 17: Final Answers: The Last Word on Format.Part V: Analyzing Questions from Real Applications.Chapter 18: Composing Essays Starring You.Chapter 19: Describing Significant Strangers and Friends: EssaysAbout Other People.Chapter 20: Responding to Essay Questions in the SubjectAreas.Chapter 21: Getting the Most Out of Short Answers.Part VI: The Part of Tens.Chapter 22: Ten Myths About the College Essay.Chapter 23: Ten Great Essays to Inspire You.Chapter 24: Ten Absolute Musts for College Essays.Appendix: Personal Inventory.Index.