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Too many essays are repetitive and boring, lacking of any real meaning and substance!  

Picking a prompt is easy, picking a topic is critical. It is not about hardship, disadvantages, disappointment, sadness, trouble, or compromising circumstances that may challenge you in college. They don't want to hear about that, it won't work in your favor. Picking the most appropriate topic of interest and relevance is a challenge that takes substantive thought.

Here's your chance to share something special about you that is not reflected anywhere else on the application. Think about the one thing that you want the admission counselor to know about you that will reflect favorably upon you. Think about the one thing about you that has prepared you best for college success. This is the task.

Once you have picked a topic, it's time to start writing. But a freelance approach doesn't work. Rather, an organized and established writing style is much preferred by college admission offices. Follow these simple guidelines to writing a quality college essay.

Essay style

The college essay should be written in the narrative, telling a story and making a point. It should reach deep into your memory and provide the reader insight into you, the writer. It needs to be engaging and interesting. Begin with a title in mind, then concentrate on style, flow, and direction. Our preferred style of essay is called Show and Tell and it consists of three sections.

The first section is the Show, beginning with the details of the story, the memory of what happened, when it occurred, and how it turned out. The story should refer to a defining moment that changed the course of your life, a personal challenge faced, a specific lesson learned, or a core quality developed. It should reflect a personal story that shaped your belief system allowing the reader to get a glimpse inside your life. It should conclude with making a point in the final sentence.

The middle section is the Tell, the purpose of which is to express meaning, informing the reader what it all means to you and how it fits in your life. It should reflect in how it has become a part of who you are today, how it contributes to your everyday belief and decision process. Provide examples of how it's working for you.

The final section is the Application, explaining the future benefit you will draw from the Show and Tell. I like this section to always begin with- When I look to my college days ahead, I will be... This may refer to being better prepared, better aware, better suited, or better ready for college. The final sentence should tie it all together and give the title clear meaning.

The essay should reveal the quality of you. Use it to reflect something about you that cannot be found otherwise in your application. Do not use the essay to try to impress the reader by listing accomplishments or using big words. View the essay as your chance to separate yourself from others, making it memorable by engaging the reader with your story.

Here is a top quality essay from one of our students, an Elon student today.

Turning Goodbyes into Hellos

After moving halfway across the world from South Africa to the United States, my family and I were finally adjusting to a new life. We had a home, I had finally established myself in a friend group, and things were stable for once. Yet right when I had settled down, it was time to pick up and move again. Devastated, I said goodbye to the new friends I had finally grown close to, and realized I would have to start all over again. It felt like a never-ending cycle. Despite the closeness of Westport and Wilton, the move felt like another trip across the world. I longed to stop being the new kid. I longed to have a friend group like every other child my age. The thought of not fitting in overwhelmed me.

My first day of school approached faster than I had hoped, and I clung onto my fathers arm as I walked down the hallways of the unfamiliar school. Children rushed around with friends by their side, and I immediately felt isolated. Everyone already knew each other, and had experienced half a school year with each other. Panic took over me. When my father and I reached my classroom I realized it was time to part ways with him, and enter this room full of strangers, completely alone. Bursting into tears, I held onto him, begging not to go in. Not only was I distraught about having to take on a whole new school, but also I was overcome with anger. It seemed unfair that I had to do this. I had not chosen to move, and it was entirely out of my control.

There are moments in life that stay with a person forever, and the day outside my classroom is one of them. With tears swelled up in my eyes, my father began to walk away, knowing that he had to force me in there. Suddenly, a young girl from my classroom came outside and hugged me. My crying ceased, and she took me into the classroom to join the others. From that day on she was my best friend. Although that hug seemed like a simple action to her, no one will understand what it meant to me. Had she not befriended me that day, my memories of that day could be far different. I have learned to value friendship, and have sensitivity to those that lack friendship in their lives. Having been on the side of the new kid numerous times, I am aware of the uncertainty, the fear, and the sadness it brings. Goodbyes are never easy, but after experiencing it many times now, I know that there are always hellos. Although moving felt like the end of the world it ultimately worked out for the best.

As I plan for college, I realize that some of the greatest fears my fellow students have, I don't have. They fear saying goodbye to the friendly confines of their home, school, and community. I welcome in all the new hellos that lie ahead during my college journey. It's a wonderful, exciting, and empowering feeling to know I can head out into the unknown world with confidence in my ability to blend in with others doing the same thing. For college success, it is vital to get outside the comfort zone of familiarity and to embrace the challenges of meeting others and building new friendships. In doing so, I am able to leverage my abilities into a better school experience and improved options as I move towards my young adult life thereafter. I will once again turn goodbyes into hellos. This time around, however, I plan to be the one helping others do the same. Hello to college, here I come!

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As always, if you'd like to learn how to save thousands in college costs, you can pick up a copy of our new book today- 

     Dissecting the Big Business of College

Hans

Some people write great college essay's, most others just write essays...the difference is huge!  

It's that time of year. Our students will have their college application essay completed by July 31. It will draw and keep interest of the admission counselor. Anything otherwise and a denial can be arrived at quickly.

We have our annual 3-part series on writing the college application essay to show you how we do it. Each part will conclude with an awesome sample essay. Imagine the moment your child's application comes across the computer of an admission counselor for their evaluation. Either it draws and keeps interest or it results in a quick denial, regardless of academic qualifications.

Upon opening the application, a quick check on the student's academic record will be made. The counselor will likely turn to the application essay for a quick read. If found interesting, the counselor may read further and stay on the application. But in many cases, the counselors report they can't get past the first sentence or two of the essay.  

In a matter of 5 minutes, the counselor will decide if it's worth their time to continue on with your application or send a denial letter. Don't assume it should be any other way. That's how important the application essay is, it cannot be overstated. 

The application essay serves a golden opportunity for the student to demonstrate their ability to write with flow and direction, clarity and insight, meaning and purpose, doing so in a vivid and reflective style gaining immediate interest of the reader and keeping it through to the end. It will correlate a situation or circumstance with present day meaning. It will begin with a Title, provide interesting content, perform the basis for reaching a conclusion, and will tie it all together with a well-constructed ending.

The student's initial job is to pick one of the seven prompts provided on the common application and answer it in 500 - 600 words, where less is more, wordiness is discouraged, and the use of big words and complex terms are highly disliked by the readers. The first prompt has been the most long-lasting. The fourth prompt was new last year and is of significant interest to admissions.

Here are the Application Essay Prompts

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

Here is a top-quality essay from one of our students, a UPENN student today.

Next Stop

September 6, 2012: I watched the doors slowly close behind me as I scrambled to find a seat on the train. I paused for a moment, wondering if I could pull the alarm bell and get the conductor to stop the train and let me out.  Here I was, thirteen years old, on my way to my first day of class at Lauralton Hall, 24 miles from home. Most kids my age were taking the bus to school, excited and having fun with their friends, while I was taking the train. My parents told me the train would be a great experience for me, it would be exciting and fun for me too. What I was experiencing was anything but fun and exciting. They said it was time to grow up. I thought it was time to go to high school. I knew adults commuted to work, but I didn't know kids commuted to school, but here I was sitting on the train waiting for my stop.

Next stop: Fairfield "Fairfield, please watch the gap when exiting the train. Next is Bridgeport," the conductor stated over the speaker system in the train. A flood of men and women in suits stepped aboard the train. I moved my backpack so a woman talking on her cell phone could sit next to me. I tuned her out as I looked out the window and imagined the next four years of my life.

Next stop: Bridgeport "Bridgeport, please watch your step when exiting," the conductor's voice boomed through the speakers once again. I glanced out the window and saw things I had never seen or at least noticed, ramshackle buildings covered in graffiti and garbage lining the streets. Time flew by as I looked out the window at my new surroundings. I anxiously waited as we traveled closer and closer to my destination.

Next stop: Milford "This is Milford, watch the gap please," the conductor declared as I jumped out of my seat, grabbed my backpack, and ran off the train. I stepped out of the doors and onto the platform and this began my journey to my new school, my second home, for the next four years- Lauralton Hall.

Three years later, in looking back to those early days, I realize how far I've come and in many ways. First of all, I'm proud that I have taken this train six hundred times going to school and six hundred times returning home without missing it once. Every morning, I wake up on a tight schedule with a sense of urgency to get to the platform on time because the train truly waits for no one. I've learned to make good use of my time while on the train, studying for tests, doing next week's homework, and preparing for the day ahead. I have had to adopt this level of discipline and responsibility on my own. To make it work day in and day out, I've had to own it.

I have spent three years commuting to my own job- school. Sure, I could have quit, and decided to attend my local high school with my neighborhood friends, but no, in the face of the challenge, I have persevered and continued. Every time I step on the train I am reminded of that first day and my thought of pulling the alarm bell, but I have adapted and am much the better for it. Only two hundred more roundtrips to go.

When I look to my college days ahead, I am a well-seasoned traveler, prepared and determined to see it through. I am ready to embrace the challenges, adapt to the new environment, and contribute to the college community. I'm excited for the opportunity to expand my own perspectives while in college and I hope to contribute the same to my new group of students and educators. I look forward to my next commute of walking to class on a college campus. Next stop: college.

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As always, if you'd like to learn how to save thousands in college costs, you can pick up a copy of our new book today- 

      Dissecting the Big Business of College