1. College Application Essay Writing Encompassing your entire being in 500 words or less. Easy peasy.

2. Read the Directions Seriously - 250 word limit means exactly that Answer the question – do not make the reader work to understand your angle

3. The Big Three The “You” Question – sell yourself and put your best face forward and every other self-empowering cliché… Example: “Write about something of particular interest to you—whether that be creative, fantastic, scientific, ethical, personal, political, etc.”

4. The Big Three The “Us” Question – do your research and name drop… Example: “At the University of Maryland, we value a diverse community. How have your life experiences and background shaped you into an individual who will enrich the University of Maryland community?”

5. The Big Three The Creative Question – think outside the box and stretch your brain, but don’t perpetuate an idea that you bring a spinning wheel to the airport… Yes. This happened.

6. The Big Three The Creative Question Examples: “Tell us your favorite joke and try to explain the joke without ruining it.” “’This is what history consists of. It’s the sum total of all the things they aren’t telling us.’ — Don DeLillo, Libra. What is history, who are “they,” and what aren’t they telling us?”

7. Is it Youniquely You? (See what I did there?) Upon finishing, if you cross off your name, could it apply to your best friend who also: learned about teamwork whilst playing football? learned about diversity whilst on a spring break school trip abroad? learned about responsibility whilst babysitting a younger sibling? learned that Safex pyrofluid FS is the best accelerant to use as a fire eater whilst traveling with a sideshow? Yeah. That’s the unique I am speaking of.

8. Tell Your Story Not Grandpa’s – he has no interest in attending college with you, but Adam Sandler will definitely have something to do with a terrible Hollywood production of something like this Not your sports Idol’s – he doesn’t need a college degree, as his knees will be healthy forever and rampant use of PEDs have not destroyed his heart and liver Can you mention these people? Of course! Just be sure that they add to YOUR character – you may not have been a POW in Germany or won five World Championships, but you have learned from their resilience and determination

9. Be Memorable Most of us find difficulty in praising how awesome we are Most of us. However, understand this is your only chance to showcase your strengths to maximize your opportunity for admission Activities you may think are boring (Scouting, Religious Youth Activities, working in general…) are more rare than you would expect

10. This is a Parental Involvement Moment This Friday night, rather than playing “Family Twister™” again, ask your parents what they think makes you special or sets you apart from other people “Awesome at Twister™” does not count. Jot the items down and group similar activities Focus upon which characteristics reflect what the essay wants you to share

11. Show Initiative “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” - Dale Carnegie In your essay, showing initiative proves you are a catalyst for change You don’t have to be Gandhi: A director of admission remembers an essay in which a student wrote about working at a dog shelter who realized dogs with bandanas tied around their collars were adopted more often than dogs without, so she bought bandanas for every dog – readers LOVED it True story

12. Be Yourself You are pretty awesome – only you have your upbringing, experiences, trials, triumphs, scars, perspective, and ambitions – that is something to be proud of Don’t fake it, lie, embellish, use haughty language, or be anything but genuine in your essay – readers have seen it all before – just be you Unless you’re this guy

13. What Are We Waiting For? LET’S START!