Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I begin to write my essay?
A: If you’re reading this, you’ve already begun. In this guide you’ll find some ideas on how to brainstorm and structure
your essay. Our favorite exercises are the Essence Objects and Values Exercises.
Q: How long should my essay be?
A: It depends. Your main Common App essay can be up to 650 words, while the essays for the University of California
(UC) schools are around 350 words each, and your supplemental essays will vary.
Q: How many essays will I need to write?
A: Around 15 is average. You'll likely write a main personal statement for your Common App, perhaps some separate
essays if you're applying to public schools (the UCs require four, for example), plus you'll write supplements for most
selective schools, which number anywhere from 6-20, depending on the number of schools you apply to.
Q: What should my essay be about?
A: In a word, you.
Q: What are college admissions officers looking for?
A: They're looking for the answers to these three questions:
1. Who is this person?
2. Will this person contribute something of value to our campus?
3. Can this person write?
Q: How do college admissions officers evaluate my essay?
A: Each school has its own criteria and different readers will prefer different elements. Michael Gulotta (Associate
Director of Admissions at American University) for example, has told us he most looks to the essay to assess a
student's writing ability. But Rick Diaz (Regional Director of Undergrad Admissions at SMU) is less interested in writing
ability and more interested in a student's story.
Q: So which is more important: your story or your writing skill?
A: Both are important. A good story, well told. That's your goal.
Q: When should I start writing my essay?
A: Today. Right now.
Q: How do I structure my essay?
A: You’ll learn about two options in this workshop: Narrative Structure and Montage Structure.
Q: How much do essays matter?
A: It depends on the college, but generally between 10%-30%. Essays tend to matter more for small schools, or schools
who look at applications holistically.
Q: If my grades are bad, can I get into Harvard with a great essay?
A: Nope. Schools look at your GPA, course rigor and test scores more than anything. When you're being compared to
other students with similar GPA/SAT scores, that's when the essays can make or break your chances. Harvard is
great, but there are a lot of other awesome schools too. For a list of Colleges That Change Lives, Google "Colleges That
Change Lives." (Really.)
Q: Can a bad college essay negatively affect my application?
A: Yes.
www.collegeessayguy.com
, COMMON APPlication PROMPTs
Choose one of the following prompts. 650 words, strict limit
1. 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.
2. 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?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the
outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How
has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding
of yourself or others.
6. 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?
7. 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.
COalition application PROMPTs
Choose one of the following prompts. 500-550 words.
1. Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
2. Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss
the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
3. Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How
did the challenge affect your beliefs?
4. What is the hardest part of being a student now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling
or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?
5. Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.
www.collegeessayguy.com
Q: How do I begin to write my essay?
A: If you’re reading this, you’ve already begun. In this guide you’ll find some ideas on how to brainstorm and structure
your essay. Our favorite exercises are the Essence Objects and Values Exercises.
Q: How long should my essay be?
A: It depends. Your main Common App essay can be up to 650 words, while the essays for the University of California
(UC) schools are around 350 words each, and your supplemental essays will vary.
Q: How many essays will I need to write?
A: Around 15 is average. You'll likely write a main personal statement for your Common App, perhaps some separate
essays if you're applying to public schools (the UCs require four, for example), plus you'll write supplements for most
selective schools, which number anywhere from 6-20, depending on the number of schools you apply to.
Q: What should my essay be about?
A: In a word, you.
Q: What are college admissions officers looking for?
A: They're looking for the answers to these three questions:
1. Who is this person?
2. Will this person contribute something of value to our campus?
3. Can this person write?
Q: How do college admissions officers evaluate my essay?
A: Each school has its own criteria and different readers will prefer different elements. Michael Gulotta (Associate
Director of Admissions at American University) for example, has told us he most looks to the essay to assess a
student's writing ability. But Rick Diaz (Regional Director of Undergrad Admissions at SMU) is less interested in writing
ability and more interested in a student's story.
Q: So which is more important: your story or your writing skill?
A: Both are important. A good story, well told. That's your goal.
Q: When should I start writing my essay?
A: Today. Right now.
Q: How do I structure my essay?
A: You’ll learn about two options in this workshop: Narrative Structure and Montage Structure.
Q: How much do essays matter?
A: It depends on the college, but generally between 10%-30%. Essays tend to matter more for small schools, or schools
who look at applications holistically.
Q: If my grades are bad, can I get into Harvard with a great essay?
A: Nope. Schools look at your GPA, course rigor and test scores more than anything. When you're being compared to
other students with similar GPA/SAT scores, that's when the essays can make or break your chances. Harvard is
great, but there are a lot of other awesome schools too. For a list of Colleges That Change Lives, Google "Colleges That
Change Lives." (Really.)
Q: Can a bad college essay negatively affect my application?
A: Yes.
www.collegeessayguy.com
, COMMON APPlication PROMPTs
Choose one of the following prompts. 650 words, strict limit
1. 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.
2. 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?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the
outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How
has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding
of yourself or others.
6. 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?
7. 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.
COalition application PROMPTs
Choose one of the following prompts. 500-550 words.
1. Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
2. Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss
the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
3. Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How
did the challenge affect your beliefs?
4. What is the hardest part of being a student now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling
or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?
5. Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.
www.collegeessayguy.com
