Writing the College Essay

Helen Schermerhorn Melissa Lustig

What is the purpose of the essay and

why is it relevant?

What are the challenges to writing a well-crafted essay?

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their

application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did

you learn?

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the

same decision again?

Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience

there, and why is it meaningful to you?

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood

to adulthood within your culture, community, or family

Free Writing – 10 minutes

Suggestions:

– Letter– Email

– Journal– Prose

– Ramblings

Guidelines:1. Your Voice2. Do the work

Remember:3. Answer the ?4. The point

The Process

Final PolishingReading aloudRole of College

Counseling

*Reflect on your concept*Examine structure, flow & presentation*Beginnings and endings*Edit. Edit. Edit.

*Pick an essay question*Get ideas down- WRITE!*Find something in your writing that you like*Get input from others*Revisit. Revise. Rewrite.

*Style & sentence structure*Tone and voice*Word choice and punctuation*Dialogue?

“Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.” – Dave Barry

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” – Stephen King

“The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, brain surgery.” –

Michael Crichton

“Easy reading is damn hard writing.” – Nathanial Hawthorne

“I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” – James Michener

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” –

Jack London