Breaking Through College Essay Writer's Block

Don’t lose steam! You’re almost there!

Q: Most of my essays are done, but I’m procrastinating on the last few. I can’t recycle something I’ve already written; I’m stuck.

A: It’s not uncommon for students to lose steam at the end of the college application process, especially when they’ve got some of the more challenging prompts left to go. Stanford’s roommate question? U Chicago? Why us?

Rather than spinning your wheels, take a step back. In my many years of working with students on the often-stressful college application process, I’ve found that some really great essays appear when a student says, “The heck with it. I’m going to have some fun with this.”

Why does this work? A student is stuck for a reason, and most often, that is because they are trying too hard. They want their essay to be unique, compelling, descriptive, witty, relatable. Amidst all of that mind-chatter, they lose their voice and don’t really know what they are writing or why they are writing it.

As a reader, you can tell when a student has had fun with the essay. And oftentimes, these pieces of writing are witty, relatable, unique, and compelling — but not forced.

So open a new document, queue up your favorite playlist, and have a little fun.

Your First College Essay Draft

Writing a quality college essay can be very daunting and involves a unique approach with which most students have never had experience.  How do you show who you are without telling? How do you find your own voice?  We help lead you through that process.  

I like to use the example of telling someone how to swim when they have never been in the water.  Once they actually get in the pool, they may flail around a bit before putting together a stroke.  Similarly, in writing the essay, it may take several drafts before you get the hang of showing who you are.  In fact, it is not unusual for a student’s first draft to yield very little usable material.  So don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts get tossed! The final result, after much tossing and tweaking, will be a work of art!

SAT Subject Tests: What is a good score?

June SAT subject tests just came out, and with the release of the scores often comes the question, “Is my score good enough to send?”

Most students that take SAT subject tests do so because they are applying to the most selective colleges and universities. As a result, they also tend to score well. A 770 on the US History exam places you in the 90th percentile. A 780 on the Math Level II subject test only puts you in the 71st!

As a rule of thumb, we like to say that a submittable score should equate to the selectivity of the institution to which you are applying. They have a 10% acceptance rate - your SAT subject test scores should be in the 90th percentile to be considered excellent. A 5% acceptance rate, better be in the 95th!

Yes, we know — those are some pretty high thresholds!

The One Thing You Need to Keep in Mind When Starting Your College Essay

Well-meaning professionals, parents, and teachers, and even their peers, pepper college applicants with advice full of don’ts. “Don’t write about the death of your grandparent.” “Don’t write about summer camp.” “Don’t write about your mission trip.” “Whatever you do, don’t write about catching the winning touchdown.” But the truth of the matter is that I’ve read some wonderfully poignant college essays about summer camp, grandparents, and mission trips. Why?

Because your topic doesn’t matter.

That’s right! Stop putting so much pressure on yourself to choose the perfect topic, to avoid the cliche, to be incredibly unique! If your essay is really, truly about you, it will be unique enough.

Our approach to the essay starts with the student, not the topic. What is it important that college’s know about you? From there, a theme surfaces. If a story about your mission trip to Honduras would be just as impactful if it happened in your backyard, it is a story about you. If not, it’s a story about Honduras. Use your theme as a jumping off point to delve more deeply into what makes you tick.

So regardless of what you choose to write about, make sure that you know why you are writing about that particular event or person. The best thing you can do to brainstorm the college essay is to look in the mirror and be self-reflective. You don’t need a “catch,” all you need is you!

College Application Submission Delays

Q: My application is ready to go but my transcript and teacher recommendations haven’t been uploaded. Should I wait to submit?

A: You don’t have to wait! Submitting your application early will give you the chance to make sure that everything is submitted correctly and then the college can start to assemble your file. When the rest of your materials are submitted, they will be added to the file and it will be marked complete and ready for review.

That being said, most colleges do not review an application until it is complete, so once you send your application, make sure to let your school counselor and teachers know that it has been submitted!

Are You Joking?

What kind of murderer has a moral fiber?

A cereal killer.

It's a simple joke... but put me in front of an audience and I'll botch it. I'm a realist. I know that I'm not a good joke teller. 

So would it make sense for me to try to joke in my college essay? Nope!! It's not my voice. 

The takeaway? Be true to who you are! Your essay will reflect you, and that is what college admission officers really want to hear. 

2018-19 Common App Essay Prompts Released

The Common Application announced today that the essay topics from which students can choose will remain the same for the graduating class of 2019. Want to get a peek?

http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/2018-2019-common-application-essay-prompts

Ask the Consultant: HELP, Typo in my Common App!!

Q: I submitted my Common Application a few weeks ago. When I looked back at it again, I noticed a typo in my activities. What do I do?

A: A college representative was visiting our office a few weeks ago, and we asked the same question of her. "Students need to realize that we are human too! We are far more understanding than they think!"

Mistakes happen all the time! 

So what should you do if you discover an error in an application that has already been submitted? If it absolutely needs to be corrected, such as an incorrect essay version or glaring typo, the student should call the school and ask what their policy is for correcting the mistake. Often, the college will have the student email the change to the general admission email -- an admission staff member can then make the adjustment on their end, sometimes even before the file has been reviewed. If the error is more of an oops than egregious, it can be a harder call. Sometimes, it is better just to let it go. Pointing out the error may draw more attention to it, which could be a bad thing.

"I totally get it! These kids are juggling so much," said the rep. "Even calling us the wrong name in a supplement I'll let go if the rest of the application is strong."

Student to Student

Q: I'm a junior and I'm starting to put my college list together. I'm not really sure what I want to study -- or what size school I want.

A: It’s okay not to know! If you are unsure of what path you want to follow, do not stress out. Many students enter their freshman year without knowing their intended major. Most liberal arts colleges do not require you to declare a major until your sophomore year, so you have time to explore different areas of study. You aren’t alone!

Make a pros and cons list! It's not always easy to differentiate one school from the next. Make a pros and cons list for each school, taking into consideration programs, courses, sports, clubs, social life, tuition, location, etc.

Make the best choice for yourself! Family and friends often have the tendency to pressure you towards one school. Remember that it is YOU who will be attending the school, not them. While their opinions can be helpful, it is your future and therefore your decision. Choose the schools that are best for you.

Our summer intern Laura Card is a sophomore at Colgate University, where she plans to major in Biology and Women's Studies.