Now, many colleges now give you the option of selecting ANY topic that you want to write about (option #6 on the Common App is "Topic of your choice"). If none of the suggested topics above interest you, you must do some heavy brainstorming. Possible topics can include personal triumphs, failures, favorite (items), travels, impressive accomplishments etc. Ideas can seem to come from nowhere but are actually causally linked. For example, I am a math & science buff and as a result, my Ti-83 plus has been a big part of my life since the summer after 5th grade. One of my college essays was based on the calculator and how its wear and tear symbolized my own roller coaster ride through middle/high school. I'm hardly a literary critic, but the idea clicked and I thought the essay flowed and expressed my feelings accurately. The premise is almost laughable - a college essay about your calculator? But, that's what this essay gives you a chance to do: describe some small facet of your life and share the story in all its poignancy and humor and depth.

Other tips for college essay writing

When writing the essay, try to concentrate on something small: you needn't write about your entire four seasons on the varsity football team; one game that changed everything in the context of the season would be better, giving you the chance to capture more detail without going too much over the word limit. Try to stick to this word limit; nobody is counting but admissions officers have a general sense and you want to show that you can follow directions. Usually if you don't go over 20% of the word limit, it should be OK (e.g. 500 word limit gives you a 100 word leeway to 600 words).

The essay is also a rare opportunity to showcase your personality so use it to do so. Don't regurgitate something from your resume list - if you talk about an accomplishment, talk about the process not the end; stories are much more interesting than dictionaries! If you can tie in some aspect of your accomplishment with your story, then great, but just make sure that the primary focus isn't on what you did; the focus is on how you got there.

Though the essay shouldn't just be on your accomplishments, the essay still should be about you. Your critical analysis of Middle East peace may win the Pulitzer someday, but it won't give admissions officers a full picture of you.

Finally, after you write the essay, let other people read it, especially your parents, teachers, and counselors. A fresh set of eyes will have insightful comments so don't be afraid to change your essay a bit.

To go back to the first part about writing the essay, click here.