What are some great tips for starting my college essay?

Question

How much time do I need to write my college essay?

Advice for getting started with the common app personal statement.

Answer 1

I have one small tip to add to the fantastic advice already shared.

It's pretty daunting to begin a personal essay, since it's inherently high stakes but also supposed to reflect your deepest essence. (I mean, no pressure, right?!) And you're also trying to follow all the advice that's out there.

I always had my students start with absolutely NO pressure, NO requirements, and NO limits. It's something called "freewriting:" Just write whatever comes to mind, for a set length of time, without trying to edit yourself or come up with something enlightened. Often, when you take some of the pressure off yourself, THAT'S when you actually get to something interesting and unique.

Here are some of the prompts I usually use to get students started. Give yourself three to four minutes for each one, write without stopping or correcting yourself, and if something doesn't click, that's ok! Move on to another prompt. Then, review your writing and ask yourself if there was something you inherently wanted to write more on or felt interesting to you. Oftentimes students can find a nugget in here that becomes their opening hook, or a longer story that becomes their organizing structure.

1. Write about a time you injured yourself.
2. Write about your "home away from home".
3. Write about a time you were scared.
4. Write about your favorite childhood toy or activity.
5. Write about a time you were out of your comfort zone.
6. Write about what your "perfect day" looks life.
7. Write about a passion or hobby that's weirdly specific to you.

Answer 2

As a long-term English language and writing teacher with extensive experience assisting students with their college application essays, I can offer you several valuable tips for starting your college application essay and managing your time effectively.

1. Reflect on your experiences: Spend some time thinking about the experiences and events that have shaped your personality, values, and goals. This introspection will help you identify a unique topic that demonstrates your growth and character.
2. Choose a prompt that resonates with you: Review the Common App personal statement prompts and select the one that inspires you the most. Your enthusiasm for the topic will make it easier to write an engaging essay.
3. Brainstorm ideas: Jot down your initial thoughts, anecdotes, or experiences related to the chosen prompt. This process will help you identify a central theme for your essay and make it easier to start writing.
4. Create an outline: Organize your ideas into a coherent structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. This outline will serve as a roadmap for your essay and help you maintain focus.
5. Write a compelling introduction: Your introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide a brief overview of the essay's main theme. Use a vivid anecdote, an interesting question, or a thought-provoking statement to engage the reader.
6. Show, don't tell: Use descriptive language and personal anecdotes to illustrate your points. This approach will help you create an emotional connection with your reader and make your essay more memorable.
7. Be authentic: Write in your own voice and avoid trying to impress the admissions officers with big words or complex ideas. Be genuine in expressing your thoughts and feelings, as this will make your essay more relatable and engaging.
8. Revise and edit: After completing your first draft, take a break before reviewing your work. This will help you approach your essay with fresh eyes and spot any inconsistencies or errors. Edit your essay for clarity, conciseness, and overall flow.

As for the time required to write your college essay, it depends on your writing skills, and the complexity of the topic. I would recommended to start working on your essay at least 2 months before the application deadline. This timeframe will give you ample time for brainstorming, drafting, and revising your work, as well as seeking feedback from your teachers, tutors, peers,and family!

Starting your college application essay involves a lot of self-reflection! Once you choose your prompt, begin from there. Starting early– not cramming, but dedicating sufficient time and taking plenty of breaks throughout the process will help you craft a memorable personal statement for the Common App. If you need any assistance with any stage in the process, please send me a message. Best of luck, I believe in you!

Answer 3

Planning is particularly important so do not skip it. Break the prompt up and use it as an outline for the paper. Make notes under each requirement of how you plan to address it. Then number the order you feel will present the information in the most straight forward manner.

Write the rough draft without editing for spelling or word usage. Just get your thoughts down on paper. If you get stuck, move to the next portion- it will come to you.... Once I get my initial ideas in place, I like to wait a day before I redraft it. It allows me to sleep on it. I get some of my best ideas that way. Be patient with yourself or you will feel frustrated and emotional. That can block thinking, Remember writing is a process. Then reread and redraft. Have a friend read it aloud. It is not uncommon for me to make three or four drafts before I am satisfied.

Answer 4

I have five GREAT Tips for Starting your College Essay!

1. Plan Ahead: Allow yourself 3-6 weeks to craft and polish your common application essay. This generous timeline is needed to be thoughtful and creative, allowing time for review and revisions. You will need additional time for supplemental essays. I always recommend tackling your main essay first. There is a big learning curve, but once you are finished, you have an approach you can repeat for the supplemental essays.

2. Brainstorm your topic before you strike the first key:

The goal of brainstorming is to keep answering two simple questions, Who am I? and What makes me, me?

Think about your core values, goals, passions, interests, talents, skills, motivations, hobbies, life experiences, and areas of expertise and growth.

Try to identify what makes you different from your friends, family, and classmates. Is there anything you do that no one else does? This might be a great place to start. When brainstorming, my motto is, "Go far and wide," exhausting all possibilities.

3. Talk to family, friends, and teachers:

Ask, what makes me, me? What are the first 5 words that pop into your mind to describe me? Tell me your favorite story about me.

Believe it or not, you need different perspectives during the pre-writing phase. Many students are modest, so ask family and friends to remind you of your strengths, quirks, funny stories, and areas of originality.

4. Decide, what do you want to communicate to the reader? What is the one thing you want the reader to remember after reading the essay? Your number one job is to be memorable.

Remember, this is your only chance to communicate directly with the admissions officers; use it wisely!

Once you know what you want to communicate, choose a topic that allows you to highlight this.

5. Spend a lot of time with each prompt before you even think about choosing one:

There are six prompts (the "7th" is any topic you choose). So you should think about each topic and also think about your own ideas for the 7th option!

Good luck! When you only have 650 words, every word counts.