Essays

Write your college essays over the summer. It may feel like you're doing it really early, but it makes the college application process much easier.

When writing, try to write what comes naturally, stream of consciousness style, and later mold it into something cohesive.

If you're stuck when starting to write your essay, try free-writing for 10 minutes and just write whatever comes to your mind at that time. Get things on paper first and then edit later.

Look at the essay prompts when they come out. Even if you don't start writing the essays over the summer, brainstorm ideas and get a general idea of what you want to write about.

Finish the essay before school starts as it's one of the hardest aspects of the college application process and having it done before school even begins was super helpful.

Don't try to impress other people or write about what you think they want to hear. Write about what makes you proud to be you.

If you're struggling writing essays, go to workshops and meet with your counselor or Lisa Neumaier.

I started my applications at least two months in advance and I was still working on the essays up until a few weeks before the deadline. They take more time than expected, and it is good to have time to revise them, as well as time for others to look at them.

Go over and over and over your essays and short answers, maximizing the efficiency of your word choices. Spend as much time brainstorming the topics of your essays and the message it conveys as writing the actual essay. Take your time and be yourself.

Write a few essays about extra-curriculars so that you can copy/paste them for supplemental essays if needed.

While things can feel overwhelming at times, try and break everything into chunks. Maybe draft one supplement a week, edit it the next week.

Write your essays from your heart!

Get a jump on writing your essay and have multiple drafts of that essay - you can use it not only for applying to colleges but for scholarship applications as well.

Space out your essays so you don't get burnt out towards the end. Be yourself; if you aren't a funny person, don't try to be funny. Be honest, and your writing will reflect your passions. Also, college essays are different than the 5-paragraph English essay.