How long do I have to write this essay?

There are three or four deadlines for your college application. The deadline for early admission is typically Nov. 1. For some colleges, the early admission deadline is Nov. 15, according to the College Board website. Regular admission deadlines range between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1.

That gives you plenty of time to write a compelling essay and make sure it’s in perfect condition before you submit it.

Once you’ve written the essay, it’s time to start editing. The editing process has been likened to a sculptor chiseling a sculpture. You will refine, refine, refine. Give yourself at least two weeks to perfect the essay. Read it to yourself, and then read it again the next day. Email it to your family members and ask them to read it for typographical errors and grammatical mistakes. Give them a deadline and make sure they honor the deadline. Give thought to their suggestions. Keep an open mind but stay true to your own voice and your own story.

Whatever you do, don’t find yourself writing on the same day as the application is due. That’s how mistakes are made and errors go uncorrected. You need space between the time you write the essay and the period when you start editing.

Now sit down and start writing!

The 2015-16 college essay prompts

“2015-2016 Essay Prompts
Posted on 03.31.2015 in Admissions and Access, Essay Prompts

We are pleased to share the 2015-2016 Essay Prompts with you. New language appears in italics:

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.

The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

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.

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.”

Why am I struggling to write this essay?

Your college essay tells an admissions officer why you belong at that college or university. You know you want to be there and you’re certain it’s the right fit for you, but how do you convince someone else of that? You’re struggling to find the right words.

If the essay doesn’t feel right, it’s because you haven’t yet gotten to the kernel of truth about yourself. We present ourselves to the world in layers. We are a daughter, son, sister, brother, musician, athlete, outdoor enthusiast. We are someone’s best friend or worst enemy, a lover of poetry and an avid football fan. We love to cook, run, play Scrabble, tell jokes.

But deep inside you have a story to tell that is yours alone. Finding it takes a little time and a lot of thinking. I’ll lead you through brainstorming exercises that will help you discover your essence. The goal is for you to become so interested in telling your story that you’ll want to write the essay.

Why am I struggling to write this essay?

Your college essay tells an admissions officer why you belong at that college or university. You know you want to be there and you’re certain it’s the right fit for you, but how do you convince someone else of that? You’re struggling to find the right words.

If the essay doesn’t feel right, it’s because you haven’t yet gotten to the kernel of truth about yourself. We present ourselves to the world in layers. We are a daughter, son, sister, brother, musician, athlete, outdoor enthusiast. We are someone’s best friend or worst enemy, a lover of poetry and an avid football fan. We love to cook, run, play Scrabble, tell jokes.

But deep inside you have a story to tell that is yours alone. Finding it takes a little time and a lot of thinking. I’ll lead you through brainstorming exercises that will help you discover your essence. The goal is for you to become so interested in telling your story that you’ll want to write the essay.