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Writing your college essay can feel like one of the toughest parts of the application process. How do you sum up who you are in just a few hundred words? The good news is, you don’t have to have it all figured out right away—starting early gives you time to find your story. Take a look at some tips below for writing the college essay.

When should a student start their college essay?

Writing the college essay is a demanding and often overwhelming task for students. In Landmark’s college counseling office, we begin the process in a workshop format in late spring of Junior year. We present an overview of what students are trying to accomplish in the essay and why it’s so important. We also read current examples and begin brainstorming ideas that students can write about.  We value the Landmark writing methods of the 5-step writing process:
1) brainstorm
2) organize
3) rough draft
4) proofread
5) complete the final draft

After the workshop, we work individually with students through this process. It is our goal for students to complete their rough drafts before they leave for summer break. 

What is the purpose of the essay?

• Give students a chance to share their positive characteristics
• Allow colleges to get to know a student beyond the numbers of SATs and GPA

If the student has a learning disability should they write about it?

Students are not required to disclose their learning disability in their college application. However, for many students, their learning disability is a significant part of their story. Students should be encouraged to showcase attributes that are beyond their learning disability and the tools they have gained to help them succeed in the future.

What are the parameters of the essay?

The Common Application personal essay is the most widely used by students. This essay must be at least 250 words but no more than 650; we recommend 500 words or more. There are 6 essay prompts, and an additional 7th choice that says, “Share an essay on any topic of your choice.” The goal is to have the student showcase something positive about themselves that they want to share.

How can I help my student get started?

A great activity would be to read some sample essays and critique them.

• Discuss what works and what does not work.
• How did the writer introduce the essay?
• What anecdotes were used?
• How did the anecdote connect to the theme of the essay?
• How did the writer show versus tell?
• What did you respect about the writer?

Landmark’s College and Career counselors provide examples; however, parents can also use the following websites, which offer a variety of sample essays. 

• https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/college-essay-examples
• http://blog.prepscholar.com/college-essay-examples-that-worked-expert-analysis 

Some general suggestions for writing the essay

• • This is not a recap of your life story. Do not begin by recounting pre-school, kindergarten, or elementary school.
  • If you’re choosing to write about a challenge, use the formula: ⅓ challenge, ⅓ overcoming the challenge, ⅓ positive future outlook
  • Maintain a narrow focus.
  • Find an opening that works well.  
  • Include one detailed personal anecdote and connect that to your larger theme.  
  • Unlike a formal academic essay, this is one of those times when you can have more flexibility with the structure, and you can be creative.
  • Unlike a research paper, you can use “I.”  This is a personal essay.
  • While length will be important, don’t focus too much on that during the draft phase. Get your ideas down. It is easier to shorten a long essay than to expand a short one!
  • Proofread, proofread, proofread!
  • Once you have proofread your essay, put it aside for a few weeks and then come back to it with fresh eyes. You will see changes you want to make that don’t appear when you look at it every day.
  • This should NOT be a narrative of your résumé. You will have other places to share that information. 
  • Be authentic, be honest, be yourself...you don’t have to be perfect!

Lastly, when proofreading, keep your circle small. You may have many trusted adults in your life who are willing and capable of guiding you. However, too much good advice can be conflicting and hard. Trust your college counselor to guide you. 

About the Author

Kevin Roberts has been a Landmark faculty member since 2005. He served as a long-time houseparent, LA and Lit teacher, a XC coach, and now a college counselor. He’s coached thousands of youth in various areas of life, and enjoys continuing to do so. When not at Landmark you’ll find him on the sidelines of soccer fields across New England with his own four kids, or else hiding in the woods with his easiest dependent, Ace.