Here is a copy of Peter’s final essay:

Final Short Essay

Being on the Varsity basketball team has been the most meaningful experience of my high school career. Why? Because I love the camaraderie of the team, the fierce competition, the nervous tension I feel before a big game; even the way Coach throws his clipboard at the ground when he’s mad. This is not to say that I’m any good at the game; in fact, I’m really bad. I’m a scrawny white boy of 5’10” who can’t dribble, doesn’t shoot that well, and the only player on my team who can’t touch the rim. Despite my lack of talent, I can’t help myself--I just love the game. I have a spot on the Varsity team solely because I work harder than anyone else on the court, not because I score a lot of points (or for that matter, any points!). Over the years, much to my surprise and the coach’s dismay, I’ve become somewhat of a leader, helping the team with my understanding of and creating strategies for the game, rather than doing all the fancy moves and nasty dunks. Not only has basketball given me a chance to run around and compete, it has introduced me to a completely different social group, people who have taught me the meaning of words such as “flossin and blingin” and exposed me to rap, now my favorite kind music. I’m absolutely crazy about basketball and would not give it up for anything.

HOW TO RECYCLE AN ESSAY
Many students approach their applications with the unfounded notion that every application will require a totally new answer for each essay question. Fortunately, this isn’t true. In many cases, students can recycle the answer to a question a number of times. One of the benefits of putting together an essay grid is that you can literally see where certain essay topics or essays can be used over and over again.

Of course, if you use the Common Application, you will be submitting the same short, long and additional information answers to every school that accepts the Common App. If you use a college’s own application, you need to pay a lot more attention to individual questions.

adMISSION POSSIBLE® TIP! All good writers make use of other people to give them feedback, edit and proofread their writing, and provide them with advice. While it is totally inappropriate to ask someone to write an essay for you, most colleges have no problem with your asking others for writing advice, as well as feedback and edits on your essays.

In some cases, one essay answer to a question can be used almost word for word for another because two different college application questions are so similar to one another. For example, one question might ask, “Of all the activities, interests and experiences you have identified, which is the most meaningful to you?” (1/4 page), while another says “Tell us about a favorite way you spend your time?” (1/4 page)