8 STEPS TO WRITING A GREAT ADMISSIONS ESSAY
Is there anything more intimidating than sitting before an empty computer screen or blank piece of paper and thinking, “I now have to write something that will determine my future college choice, if not the direction of my life”? I don’t think so.

As a writer myself, if I begin thinking about having to write an entire book, writer’s block immediately sets in. Over the years, I have learned that the best way to approach a major writing task is to block out the time to do it, and simply take on the writing one step at a time.

The following are steps you can follow that will not only help you get started, but move you forward on a predictable writing path, hopefully ending up with an essay about which you feel very proud.

To help you do this, we’re going to follow Peter Jensen (not his real name), an outstanding student who was also a chess champion, as he wrote his college essay. From now on, anything in green font will be about Peter or use his words.

1. Set aside a block of time in a place that is free of distractions
There are a lot of things you can do in fits and spurts — clean your room, shoot a few baskets, talk to friends on a cell phone — but writing is not one of them. In order to concentrate on what you’re doing, you need to set aside at least an hour for each writing session. Designate one, quiet place such as a desk in your room, a dining room or kitchen table as your writing station. Some students like going to a quiet coffee house or nearby public library. Bring together all of your supplies and resources including the college application you’re going to work on, a laptop computer or writing pad, pens or pencils, your activities resume, notes with personal stories or anecdotes, and water to drink.

Announce to whomever is nearby (family, friends, etc.) that you are going to be writing now, and don’t want to be disturbed. If you’re smart, you’ll turn off your cell phone, Instant Message and/or emails functions on your computer. All writers know how easy it is to become distracted by anyone or anything in the middle of writing. You have to be very proactive in order not to have that happen.

Peter set aside two hours every Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3. As he went to his big desk in his room, he announced to the family that he was not to be disturbed.

2. Identify the question you are going to answer
After you have gotten yourself ready to write, the first thing you need to do is identify the essay question on which you want to work.

If you haven’t yet written an essay or are just starting on a new application, sometimes it’s good to start with a short, rather than a long or major essay question.

Peter began his writing session by looking at his essay grid to see which question he was going to work on. He chose the following:

Of all the activities, interests and experiences you have identified, which is the most meaningful to you? (1/4 page)