Tip 1:  Start with Purpose (not with the Essay Questions)

Time is a vital ingredient of every inspiring admission essay. An early start, a thoughtful plan, and a realistic schedule give you more of it.

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I recommend that you build a schedule that starts six months before your applications are due. (Early decision applicants, be sure to plan accordingly.)

 

Why So Early? 

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These essays are a search for the five hundred words (give or take) that help a stranger see who you are. That's a project that requires many thoughtful decisions.

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Six months will equip you to make solid choices about: what you want your reader to take away, the personal material that helps them do that, the narrative structure that supports this, the words that do justice to your unique story, and more.

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To be clear: I don't recommend that you devote hours to your essays every day for six months. You may often do just a few minutes of focused work and then build on it with a few more minutes a day or two later. As you go, your perspective on every aspect of these essays will evolve, helping you spot opportunities to make them shine. 

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Six months will equip you to take a slow, steady pace that supports thoughtful work and sound decisions. 

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Build Your Plan

 

I often suggest students start their plan by visualizing and naming the elements of their process. For example:

 

• Find readers who will review my drafts and tell me what they think 

• Create a verbal sketch of the identity I want my essays to convey to admission officers 

• Collect personal material that illustrates the key elements of my sketch 

• Review essay questions and decide which ones I’ll answer 

• Outline my essays 

• Ask my readers for input on my outlines

• Write first draft

• Write second draft

• Share second draft with my readers

• Gather feedback from readers

• Edit (repeat this and previous two steps)

• Write final draft

• Hit send

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Review these tips and others and name the key steps in the process that will challenge you and bring out your best work.

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Turn Your Plan into a Schedule

 

After you’ve outlined your process, put a date on each item, starting with the last item in your plan and working backwards to the beginning of your process. Allow time for a day or two off here and there. 

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And give yourself a cushion by planning to finish your final drafts one month before the admission deadline. Your volunteer readers’ schedules can serve as additional anchor dates. Confirm with your readers when you’ll give them your drafts. 

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Plan the work you’ll do each day, put it in your calendar on your phone, and turn notifications on. Keep the schedule up to date in your calendar to adjust for changes in your process and timeline.

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You Got This

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Start early. Build a plan and a schedule that bring out your best. Stick to them where possible. Adjust them where necessary

 

And move forward with confidence that you're approaching this important work with discipline and a thoughtful plan to bring out your best.