College essays afford students a chance to perform a self-examination and present themselves in an honest and creative way. An essay is a chance for your teen to connect with anyone who reads his /her application. Here are some guidelines that may be helpful:

• Students should allow plenty of time to write the essays -they are definitely challenging!
• Brainstorm. Preparing a timeline or a graphic organizer can be very helpful. Reread personal journals, diaries, papers, letters, or scrapbooks for topic ideas. Discuss possible topics with family, friends, teachers, or advisors.
• Be genuine. Students should not try to present themselves in heroic or saintly terms.
• The tone of the essay should be confident, but not conceited or arrogant. Humble is always good.
• Show an appropriate sense of humor.
• Talk about what has been learned from an experience and its impact. A negative experience might be a good subject if used to demonstrate how it ultimately benefited the student.
• How are you unique? The admissions officers want to know who each student is and what she is like. It is important for students to set themselves apart from others.
• It is okay to read books on writing the college essay, but all writing submitted must be original. The reviewers have read the books and will know immediately if an essay is not original. This may cause an entire application to be disqualified.
• A well-written essay can help a borderline or average candidate stand out from the rest.
• Be sure to capture the reader´s attention from the beginning. End with a strong impression, not just a summary of the essay.
• The essay should be reread and revised several times, selecting the details that best reveal personality and values. Be specific. Use concrete, expressive words. Write as though it will be a front page article for the New York Times.
• Essays usually have a required length. If it is too short or too long, the entire application may be disqualified. If the college does not specify the length, it is suggested that the essay be about 500 words.
• Review and proofread the essay scrupulously for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Type the essay in a double spaced format using Times New Roman in size 12 font, unless other specifications have been given or handwriting is required.
• Remember, students should be truthful, creative, and, the final draft should be carefully edited!