The college essay can be the most stressful and tedious part of the college application process. Sitting with a blank piece of paper in front of you, not knowing where to start is the hardest part. At first, you may be wondering how important the essay is, and how much does it weigh in the decision making process? All colleges differ in this part of the application. While a great essay cannot make up for poor high school grades, it is most definitely a factor when an admission decision could go either way. All this may seem like a lot to think about, but there are some helpful tips, tools and ideas to creating a successful college essay:

Picking a Topic...
Most colleges provide students with a couple topics to choose from, while others will allow you to choose on your own. What topic you choose and how you present it in your essay will reveal your creativity, personality and value system to the admissions committee. Have a little fun with it, and show how enthusiastic you are about your topic/subject. Remember you want to stand out from all the other applicants.

Where do I begin?...Web it!
"Webbing" is a technique that helps most students begin writing without over thinking, editing, or anything of that nature. It involves a bunch of related words that connect to a central idea. You just think, write, and go with it!

How do I Web?

•  Work from a central idea or word written in the middle. For example: Me. As related words and characteristics come to mind that describe you as a person, indicate them on your paper as branches, arrow, bubbles, etc.
• Use unlined paper.
• Keep the points short and simple.
• Connect all words or phrases with lines to the center or to the other branches. When you get a new idea, start again with a new branch from the center.
• Challenge yourself...go quick without stopping. Keep the ideas going!
• Remember - write everything down without judging or editing.
• Use your “topic” branches as supporting paragraphs in your essay while focusing primarily on the center of your web.

The 4 "Do's" and "Don’ts" to writing a successful essay...

• DO get creative
• DO answer the question
• DON'T overuse cliches
• DON'T rely on a thesaurus

As a current high school junior, I am have been thinking about this part of the application a lot, and have starting to see some question and topics that the colleges I am interested in ask. The questions certainly make you think!
The Center for College Planning is hosting a library workshop on Monday, June 22 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. called “The Write Stuff” that will get you ready to start writing your college essay.  Sign up for it today at www.nhheaf.org/events.asp! 


Essaying it up!
Lauryn