If you know me, you know I love writing. Teaching writing, reading writing and yes, simply writing is how I spend most of my day. We're here in September, right in the heart of college essay writing season, and if your teen has not already started their essay, it's crucial not to delay any further. Let's ensure that the wheels are in motion for the college essay process because, now more than ever, the college essay can make or break a college application.

To assist your teen effectively, let's break down the college essay process into four essential steps:

1. Brainstorming

The first step, brainstorming, is a collaborative effort. Both you and your teen have ideas, and it's important to discuss them...

Happy school year!

With college admissions season officially here, I understand that many parents begin to panic. The process can be a daunting time for both parents and students alike. At this juncture, it’s crucial to address a common concern: your child's college essay.

Chances are, you've read your child's essay, and you don't like it. You might even think it stinks or doesn't truly represent who your child is. I'm here to tell you that you're not alone. Many parents and students grapple with this challenge. However, the key is not to rewrite your child's essay for them; it's their journey, after all. Instead, let's work together to ensure your child's essay reflects them authentically.

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I want to address a common concern among parents with high school students—the challenge of brainstorming for college application essays. Crafting a compelling essay is crucial to the college admissions process, and as parents, we want to support our children in this important endeavor.

Last week, I shared some insights on kickstarting the brainstorming process when your teen feels stuck and doesn't know what to write about. Many parents reached out to me, expressing gratitude for permission to assist their kids. However, I understand the concerns about striking a balance between parental involvement and allowing students to take ownership of their essays. Every family is unique, but rest...

As a high school student, writing college essays can be one of the most daunting tasks. It's a crucial aspect of the college application process that requires students to showcase their unique qualities and experiences. Why? Well, because many colleges rely upon essays more than they do scores (test-optional schools) and with the rise of artificial intelligence, colleges want to know your student as much as they can.

The Importance of the Student Voice

Parents should be involved in the brainstorming process, but not to the point where the student's unique voice is lost. A student's writing style is different from that of a 40 or 50-year-old. The essay is an opportunity for students to showcase their...

Do you understand the power of literally grabbing the attention of an admissions reader? On average, an admissions officer may spend 4-7 minutes reading your child’s application.

Yikes!

Hence why the personal essay as well as the supplemental essays are so critical.

Any good parent lives to help their child to succeed, and in this college application season, you may need to help your child to brainstorm a topic. Their creative juices need to start churning and you may be able to help them. Trust me, opening lines matter. 

Here are some of my favorite opening lines from our kids in the past:

“Getting kicked in the mouth is not fun.  Especially when receiving the kick from a...

PARENTS!!!! READ THIS WITH YOUR RISING SENIOR!!!!

Use the rules below and you’re on your way!!!!

Develop the essay into three parts:

Introduction: One paragraph that introduces your essay.  Start with a catchy first sentence. If it grabs the reader’s attention, he or she will be encouraged to read on. You might use a meaningful quote or start with a rhetorical question that fits your situation.  You might open with a detailed description of the setting of an important experience you've had so that readers feel they were really there.  You might start with a mystery that will be revealed later in the essay or double-entendre.  If you are experiencing...

PARENTS!!!! READ THIS WITH YOUR RISING SENIOR!!!!

Use the rules below and you’re on your way!!!!

1. Start Early

Starting early buys you the luxury of revising and rewriting the essay. You can write it, put it away for a few days, then take a fresh look at it later. Walking away and then coming back brings a fresh perspective to the work -- without the pressure and stress that comes with a time crunch. 

2. Brainstorm.

Starting the essay can be the hardest part.  Brainstorming about your personality traits and defining your strengths is a good place to begin.  Your goal is to reflect about who you are as a person.  Don’t think of it as bragging.  Think about it...

I have been teaching essay writing for twenty years and before I get too deep, I want you and your child to know the basics first. The personal statement should reveal something important about them that their grades and test scores cannot. Try to help your child to answer these two essential questions:

#1: Who are you? 

#2: What’s important to you? 

This is not easy and it’s not necessarily fun. Teenagers struggle with identity and sharing parts of their lives. They need help. 

PLEASE share the blog below with our child. It’s written to them. 

STEP 1: Be yourself.  You are 1 of 1. Write in your own voice.  Write what you feel, not what you think the...

Hard truth: college essays and “school essays” are very different. High school students are taught to write essays with a thesis, body paragraphs to prove their points and a conclusion which revisits the thesis in summary. This is not what a college essay should look like. 

A college essay is a story. It’s a slice of your kid’s life when they share something important about who they are. It’s not an autobiography of their 17 or 18 years of life but rather a small sample of an event on which they learned something that they believe will travel with them forever. 

Not all English teachers know this. 

Most English teachers have never worked in college...

Writing a college essay is hard. Very few students go into the writing process “pumped” to sit in front of a computer to tell a story. It's part laborious, oftentimes frustrating and occasionally embarrassing. The most common thing I hear is “I don't know what to write!” and then it becomes my job to help the student to brainstorm and believe in the idea that we have thought of together.

Know what's far easier? Documenting life. Instead of trying to devise some cleverly creative epiphany that they think will change the landscape of college admissions and help them get into the college of their dreams, students should simply share what has happened in their lives or what is...