1. The College Essay
“I do want to express myself. And I don’t need 37 pieces of flair to do it!”

2. Fundamentals of the Essay
What is not already expressed in your college application?
Narrative structure: imagery, feeling, thoughts, dialogue
Usually one anecdote or activity (creativity of subject is encouraged)
Story works as a symbol for larger point.
Specificity is of prime importance.
Personal (i.e. experience-based) essay

3. General Advice
All essay topics want students to show the maturity to have self-insight. All want individuality and genuineness.
Not therapy or cliché.
Like a job interview, the best version of yourself, but not polished past the point of recognition.
If grades aren’t great, essay is a good place to highlight other aspects.

4. Example Essay Questions
Key: What is the question behind the question? Having a specific, personal answer to a seemingly general prompt.
Can you live with ambiguity?
Do you know your own strengths and weaknesses?
Do you have a sense of humor and a sense of humility?
Do you formulate your own thoughts and views of the world?
650 word max. on the Common App

5. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Background? STORY!
Incomplete—What has been left out?

6. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Positive experience—take-away
Immediate response or delayed learning?
Humility, self-awareness, resilience

7. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea
 Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 
Beliefs
Questioning vs. challenging
ACTION
What was the outcome?
Were you right or wrong?

8. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
What’s interesting?
Wrestling with the problem
Your thought process

9. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Maturity (but no more “adulthood”)
Change in mindset
Celebration, hardship, test…?
Recognized by those around you.

10. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 
Do you learn outside of school/without hand- holding?
What do your passions tell you about you?
What are you going to do with your life?

11. Share an essay on any topic of your choice
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 
Do something interesting.

12. ApplyTexas Questions
Essay A: What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person.
what’s different about you?
do you recognize influence? (can you talk about complex causality?)

13. ApplyTexas
Essay B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.
Not a resume
Pick one thing and storytell
What do you reveal about yourself?

14. Apply Texas
Essay C: You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?
Showcase the way YOU think
Creative writing