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The Essay: Part II

Now that your junior year is almost over, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to write in your college essay (see previous post on topics to consider).

If you’re applying to colleges that utilize the Common Application (most colleges do), you are limited to telling your story in 650 words. You can choose one of seven prompts, with the last prompt essentially giving you carte blanche control over your topic. So it’s not as important to choose which number prompt you respond to. Rather, it’s more important to think about how you can stand out amongst the thousands of applications the admissions committee inevitably reads.

With summer right around the corner, now is a great time to start preparing drafts of your Common App essay. So draft away and don’t be afraid to be different. Boring doesn’t win in the college admissions game. And those first two lines in your essay are HUGE. That’s called the “hook” and you better hook ‘em (#GoLonghorns).

If you’re applying to schools in Texas, most Texas-based colleges use the Apply Texas Application (there is some overlap in schools that use both the Common App and Apply Texas).

If you want to go to Aggieland, i.e., Texas A&M, you need to respond to Essay A, which asks the applicant to discuss the environment he/she grew up in and how that impacted the student. Again, this is your time to shine so take full advantage of the freedom inherent within the prompt.

If you’re stuck on any essay questions, contact Peggy and Adam Amdur, education consultants who operate College Choices, at 972-998-5810.

Happy writing!
Adam

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