Students preparing for college often have some trepidation when it comes to writing college application essays. It feels like teachers are steering you in one direction, tips in books and online are veering you down another path and when it's time to write, your thoughts and ideas are all over the place--cluttered with confusion and second-thoughts.

If you're getting ready to write an essay for your college application and are tired of staring at a blank page for hours, try putting these tips to good use, for an effective essay recruiters will enjoy:

 
Read the Question. Read it again. And one more time.

We've all fallen victim, at one point or another, to not reading a question on exams or an assignment thoroughly. This ultimately results in a lower grade. Even outside of the classroom, reading instructions are extremely important, but in the case of college entrance essays, failure to read the topic in full could possibly mean a letter of rejection from the schoo you had your heart set on.

Read the essay topic at least three times, no matter how short or long it is. You want to make sure that every single detail of what you are required to write about is caught. Don't be afraid to underline, highlight, circle-anything you need to do to ensure that each part of the topic will be answered.

 

THINK before you write

One essay topic that the University of Pennsylvania posed to prospective students was: "You have just completed your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217."

Now, if you're not careful, you will begin your essay with an introduction about yourself (who you are, where you're from, etc.)-something that a reader of your autobiography should have already ready in the first couple of pages! Brainstorming is important. You don't want to kill your chances at a great school because you were in a rush and ignored logic.
 

Create an outline

You probably assumed that writing the essay would be next step, but you're wrong...sorry. BEFORE you start writing your essay, you have to create an outline. It is the best way to help any writer get their thoughts more organized. If you have an outline, you will be less likely to forget certain sub-points and you'll be able to elaborate much more thoroughly.

Let's consider this essay prompt by Carleton College: Who are the people who have done the most to influence your personal development and in what ways were they influential?

Take a look at this example outline:

 

A. Mom

 a. Reason

    1. She works hard at her job each week without complaining

b. Influence

   1. Hard worker/Tenacious Spirit

   2. She taught me to be a hard worker and never give up

c. Personal Development

   1. School difficulties were overcome

   2. Was determined to make the honor roll and achieved that goal

d. Additional Details

 

B. Person 2

 a. Reason

 b. Influence

 c. Personal Development:

 d. Additional details

 

C. Person 3 [Optional]

 

HOOK your reader
Take a look at following A and B introductions that I came up with:
A. My grandmother inspired me because she was a strong woman. She overcame so many obstacles growing up and before her passing, she reminded me that I can be anything I want to be.

B. "Grandma passed away last night" were the words that echoed in my head. I refused to believe it. I refused to believe that this strong, fearless woman... the one who had overcome so many obstacles growing up... the one who told me I could do and BE anything... the one who inspired me... was now gone forever.

Which HOOKED you more? Which did you want to keep reading? "B" right? Admissions counselors get thousands of essays and they are tired of the same, generic, BORING essays. Your first paragraph (preferably first sentence) needs to pop and grab the reader quickly. Be the essay that stands out. Paint a picture. Be the essay that hooks the reader from start to finish. If you want to get accepted into a college that everyone you know is applying to, then take a risk and dare to be different.

 
Practice Practice Practice
If you still have some time before you have to submit essays for college, I recommend that you start now anyway. Even if you're a freshman, sophomore or junior in high school and feel like you have all the time in the world, start now anyway. Use Google and find out some possible essay topics used by various colleges. Start practicing hooking the reader and show your work to your English teacher for feedback. Sometimes colleges/universities (and many scholarships) will allow you to choose your essay topic, so if you start writing from early you will have a collection of essays to choose from, not just one.