College Essay Countdown

Five Tips for Rising Seniors and Parents When it Comes to College Essays

Let’s face it….trying to get a senior to tackle college applications is like herding cats.

I have seen parents navigate this process for years, but being a mom (and step mom) to one former senior and one current senior- I get it. It’s hard. You want to give your child a sense of independence, but let’s face it- these are the same kids who forget their laundry is in the washer for three days…they need support whether they tell you, “I’ve got it” or not.

The Common Application © has streamlined the college application process tremendously, but unless your child is highly organized and well versed in early action, early decision, binding, non-binding, what actually goes in an essay, etc- it’s a lot for anyone, moms and dads included.

After helping students (and now experiencing the process as a parent), here are some tips that will get your senior on track with college essay writing this summer:

Start now. Begin your college essay by looking at published Common App prompts. It doesn’t matter if it drops August 1, you can write now.
Think about what makes you, you. This is not a time to showboat about winning the championship basketball game- highlight what made you overcome adversity, help out a classmate or try out for the team despite knowing you may be benched.
Write, edit, rewrite, edit. Then write some more. Your first draft is never done. Share it with people. Read it out loud. What works? What doesn’t?
Think about your audience. Sure you may really despise the idea of book banning, but if you complain about policy in your college essay- does that paint the best picture of you, the applicant? Editorials are a great place to vent- not a college essay.
Be yourself. This is the one chance in the application packet to give a 3D view of yourself. Your test scores, GPA and activities are great- but this is a chance for the admissions committee to hear you, in your own words.