Have your searched Youtube yet for college essay help?
You probably know this already, but YouTube is a great source of information on how to write college application essays, especially if you are more of a visual learner.
Check out the EssayHell Youtube Channel, which has several super helpful videos on how to write your essays. And they are FREE!
Here are a couple other good ones.
Do You Know Your Audience?
The person reading your fabulous college admissions essay most likely has already read about a dozen or more, and still has an equal number or more to go. By the 20th essay, they are having trouble focusing. Their heads are nodding off. They need more coffee.
So how will this person feel when they read the first sentence or two of your essay? Will they groan silently to themselves? Or will they perk up and pay attention?
The “audience” or readers of your essay most likely will be comprised of at least one or more members of an “admissions committee” from the college or university. They have been selected either because they are considered strong writers themselves, or have a heightened sense of who their school is looking to admit. 
I would say, don’t waste your time targeting your piece to any personality or demographic. Basically, think of your reader as someone with a mature, intelligent sensibility who mainly wants to read an interesting piece of writing that also tells them about an equally interesting person. Picture one of your teachers. A friendly one!
My main suggestion would be to keep in mind that these college application folks have read zillions of these college admissions essays–so whatever you can do to engage them is worth a shot! If you need help getting started, try my Jumpstart Guide.
The Common App:
This is a super helpful link to specific ideas and tips on each of the six prompts (questions/options) on The Common Application. It also includes sample essays under each prompt. My favorite is Felicity’s essay answering Prompt #4 on how she used Lisa Simpson (from TV show, The Simpsons) as her role model for her vegetarianism. Another strong sample essay was by Lora, answering Prompt #6, especially for her descriptive writing and unique topic choice.
Click here: https://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/EssayPrompts.htm
How to Handle Sensitive Essay Topics
“Try to write in a directly emotional way, instead of being too subtle or oblique. Don’t be afraid of your material or your past….If something inside you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work. Write straight into the emotional center of things. Write toward vulnerability.”
This is from Anne Lamott, from her popular how-to writing book called Bird By Bird. (I highly recommend this guide, especially if you want to read one of the best books on learning how to write.)
Lamott takes a lot of risks with her writings, especially in her memoirs, and has the courage to splash all her insecurities, flaws and mistakes all over the pages.
But because she sticks to the often-blemished truth, she is both poignant and hilarious.
With these college admissions essays, I think that you can write the most compelling pieces if you are willing to take a hard, honest look at yourself and life—especially something that you weren’t necessarily proud of but somehow turned around or learned from or changed for the better—and share some of that with the reader.
When you write about any type of problem, include how it made you feel. Open up. Share your thoughts and opinions. Be vulnerable.
It is always a tough question about picking a topic that is too controversial or sensitive when writing college admissions essays.
You certainly don’t want them to think you are a total freak.
But my opinion is that if your topic helps you reveal something special or unique about yourself—go for it!!
One trick when writing about potentially loaded topics is to write more generally about the sensational parts, such as describing someone’s illness or injury.
In other words, if something is really graphic, just provide enough information so the reader understands what you are talking about.
If you get the sense that what you are writing about is a total turn-off or is just trying to shock or push hot buttons, of course, avoid it.
But if you are genuine and truthful, I think it’s worth a try.
Always have someone you trust read your work to get some neutral feedback.
You can always tone it down, if necessary.
Parents–another easy way you can help!
There are a ton of books on how to write these essays. They are filled with great advice, but can also be overwhelming. Here is how you can use them to help your student in a non-threatening way (I did this with my senior daughter and it helped jumpstart the process):
Either buy or check out some of the essay-writing guide books (Buy them used on Amazon for cheap!). Find the sections that feature sample essays. Read through the essay titles and skim essays that look interesting or might relate to a topic your student would pick. If you find one or a couple that you liked reading, and think your student might find them inspiring—either for how it is written, or how the introduction is a “grabber,” or the topic is relevant—put a post-it to mark the page.
When the time is right, offer the book and suggest your student read the ones your flagged. Resist the urge to lecture them. Just set it on their desk and leave the room. If nothing else, it might get them started, and they will find their own favorite essays, and even read some of the general advice and tips in the book as well. All on their own terms.
Remember, these essay assignments can be so daunting to students. They are told that 500 words can be admissions deal-breakers, and are their one chance to set themselves apart from the pack. That’s a lot of pressure on one little piece of writing! Also, many students have never written this type of essay—using the first person and being asked to reveal something about themselves.
I believe the best guide and inspiration can be a good example or two. Suddenly, the student might realize that they also have a good story to tell, or that they can write something like that. The abstract task feels more manageable, and they are free to move forward.
Also, if you hope to be tapped to help them further along in the process, it’s a good idea to read these books to educate yourself on how to write these essays. If you get the honor of being allowed to read a rough draft, or answer a specific question, or proof their final copy, you will be better prepared to direct them in the right way. I’m a writer, and they helped me immensely!
Some titles I like:
- College Admission Essays for Dummies, Geraldine Woods
- Mcgraw-Hill’s Writing an Outstanding College Application Essay
- Best College Admission Essays (Peterson’s Best College Admission Essays)by Stewart & Muc
- 100 Successful College Application Essays (Second Edition)by Harvard Independent
- How to Write a Winning College Application Essay, Revised 4th Editionby Michael James Mason
How to Manage “Helpful” Parents
Parents and College Admissions Essays: In or Out?
In theprevious post, I gave “helpful” parents some pointers on how to help students with their college admissions essays. Now, it’s your turn to help your own parents. Here are some tips:
- First, understand that your parents are on your side. They just want you to have success, and think they can help you. It’s your job, however, to show them how to help.
- The best way to fend off pesky parents is to prove to them that you have it covered. Tell them where you are at in the process, and that you have put together a timeline for yourself. Simply knowing that you have started will relieve anxiety.
- Some parents, however, are certain they can help you write your essay. This is where you need to help them understand how critical it is that this is your essay, in your words and voice alone. Tell them this, nicely.
- Another way to shield yourself from parental intervention is to see if there is a place or specific role where they can help you, but not take over the process. No one knows you or your life like your parent. If you need help with topic ideas, ask them if they would brainstorm with you. Set a time when you both are in a good mood and not tired.
- Once you have a rough draft, and trust they won’t overtake your piece, let them read it and ask for feedback. Again, watch your moods. Ask them to just tell you what they like, and any places that are unclear or might need more work. Finally, it never hurts to have your parents read your final version to help check for punctuation, spelling and other errors.
- Writing is hard, and can make you grumpy. This is usually about the point where your mom or dad will come in your room to “help,” and you want to strangle them. Instead of yelling at them to “Back off!,” try just telling them that you are working on the essay, and will ask them for help when you need it. Say it nicely, and they will magically go away.
- Remember, no one else will care as much about your essay as your parent. If you let them help a little, they might not feel the need to help too much.
Ready to start writing your essays? Try my Jumpstart Guide!
Tips for “helpful” parents…
Here are some tips for parents who just want to help…The trick is knowing when, to intervene:
- Some students are self-motivated, driven and will knock out these essays with ease. Leave them alone! Other students (the majority) could use a little help. However, unless you have a harmonious parent/teenager relationship where you are accepted in a “teaching” role, I would advise only intervening if they ask, or if you feel they are falling way behind.
- Help them set up a simple schedule or deadlines, if they think that will help.
- Back off it they are tired, grumpy or tell you to go away.
- If they are having trouble getting started, help them brainstorm ideas. Initiate this exchange only when the setting is relaxed and the mood is right! Talk about the qualities/characteristics that define them. Talk about their main interests, hobbies, experiences, etc. Help them recall specific personal stories related to those topics, “Remember the time you…” Write down these ideas.
- Be a sounding board. Read their essay in progress, if they allow it. Give lots of encouragement. Tell them what parts you like and why. Gently, point out parts that are unclear or are not supported by examples. Remember how it feels to have your personal work critiqued or criticized!
- Help them understand that writing these essays is a process. Tell them it is normal to work on their essay for a while, then go do something else, then come back and work some more. Urge them to get feedback from teachers, friends, parents, etc. Let them know it is normal to write several versions to get it right.
7. Proofread their final version for errors, such as spelling, syntax, word choice, punctuation, typos. Simply flag them; they can make the corrections. Remember, you may be their only editor. 
…if you choose to accept this mission, well, good luck!
Choosing a College Application Topic: Another Trick
Some college counselors advise students to think of their life as a book and write down some chapter titles. Then pick one you like and expand upon it. This naturally directs the essay into a narrative (story-telling) delivery.
I thought of a few from my own background as examples:
“Chasing grizzlies in Wyoming”
“Playing cribbage with my new blind friend”
“Burning crepes at the Magic Pan”
“Working the graveyard shift at White Castle”
“How I became student body president–by accident”
“The day I spent in the New York bus station”
See what you come up with. You might be surprised that you have a bestseller! Click HERE for other posts to help you find the magic topic!
Essay Topic Ideas: Start Small
So many students have trouble finding an essay topic. It is such a tough assignment to be asked to write a short essay that shows what you are about. The tendency is to try to include as many cool things as possible–their good works, their achievements, their everything.
When students try to cram too many points or subjects into their essays, they become broad and the meaning and ideas then spread thin. Students who understand the idea of picking one smaller highlight or mini-story and use that to illustrate something about themselves tend to produce essays that naturally reveal something deeper.
Think of how water sinks into the ground: wide and shallow, or contained and deep. It’s one of those things that is hard to explain, but easier to recognize when you see it.
For example, here are just a couple topic ideas I have heard in recent weeks from students:
“I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich”
“The time I learned to drive a stick shift”
“Finding creme for my coffee at the Paris airport”
You can see how these students could describe these little moments and then develop them into metaphors about their interests and passions and show something about who they are.
Aren’t these so much better than “I love to cook” or “I am passionate about French”?
Read about how you can tell a story and how to write anecdote in your college application essay.
So, start small and see where it takes you!
Read this post on how to find a topic for your college application essay!
Word Counts: Cut it out!
Most of the college admissions essays have word count requirements, as do other questions on the applications. Do not ignore them. Stick to their numbers. If it says 500 words, make sure your essay is under that number. If nothing else, it shows you can follow directions.
If your essay is too long, start cutting. This is a great opportunity to actually make your essay better. My dad, a retired English professor, told his students that one way to gauge the best length of a piece of writing was to think of it as a woman’s skirt: keep it long enough to cover the material, but short enough to make it interesting. (No intention there to be sexist–the metaphor just doesn’t work as well for men’s shorts.)
Seriously, when you trim your essay, you almost always improve it. Read it for redundant words and sentences. A lot of times you will find you say almost the same thing in back to back sentences, even though you might have thought one supported the other.
The best place to start slicing is when you read your essay out loud and you hear for yourself where it starts to get dull or wordy. Trust yourself and cut it out! Also, go through your essay word for word and if you suspect you might not need a word, take it out. Is your meaning still clear? Then chop it!
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