This book provides practical advice and helpful tips for students writing their college admissions essays. It offers suggestions on good topics to write about—without getting too specific—and vital information on writing approach, grammar, and usage. If used properly, this book will help applicants craft a readable, noteworthy, and unique essay.

A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays provides practical advice and helpful suggestions for students writing their college admissions essays, primarily the 650-word Common App essay and supplementary essays that many schools require as part of their admission applications. With more students applying to college—and those students applying to more schools than ever before—college admission selection is far more competitive than in the past and the college essay is a key component.

A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays offers suggestions on good topics to write about without getting too specific (and just as importantly, what not to write about) and vital tips on writing approach, grammar, and usage. If used properly, this book will help applicants find their creative voice and craft a readable, interesting, and unique essay that will attract the college admissions reader. It just might make a difference in the final admission process.

Epigraph

Preface

Introduction

1. Starting Out: Confronting the Blank Screen
2. The First Step: Picking a Prompt
3. What To Do and What Not To Do When You Begin Writing
4. More Advice As You Write
5. The Prompts and Some Illustrative Essays
6. The Supplemental Essay
7. Special Creative Questions
8. Special Usage Rules for College Essays
9. Special Usage Rules II
10. Editing
11. An Interview With An Experienced College Counselor
12. You Hit the Submit Button, Now What?
13. What If You Don’t Get Your First Choice? Hint: Life Doesn’t End