Early Deadlines only 2 months away!

Before that title starts to make you hyperventilate, let's all take a cleansing breath together. Inhale and exhale. Repeat as many times as needed to get focused and calm about college essay time.

Let me guess, as your senior year begins, you're overwhelmed with a new class schedule, maybe a new after school activity or added responsibilities as you've taken on more leadership roles the older you've gotten, and the general excitement of your senior year. I get it. It's such an exciting time in your life and it can also feel like everything is happening at once.

When we start to get overwhelmed the world around you can feel like buzzy static, information coming in from every which direction, with dates and deadlines and requirements all piling up. In my experience, it helps to break down what all needs to get done so that we can see every item and ensure nothing gets lost in a hubbub. This is especially true with your college applications.If you're looking for an easy, free tracker for all of your applications, look no further! Here is my College Application Tracker excel ready for you to make a copy of and start getting ahead. (To get started, click on "file" and then "make a copy" to copy it to your own google docs home.)

Some of you might already have your college essay started or maybe at the very least you have an idea of what you want to write about. With six specific prompts, and one write your own option for the Common App, it can be hard to know exactly how to showcase yourself best. If you're interested in more one-on-one coaching be sure to sign up for a spot in my office hours or fill out my form to connect.

If you're maybe not quite ready for one-on-one keep an eye out for my resources I'll have available in the next few weeks that help dial you into one topic and really flesh out your idea to make it come alive and make you stand out in the college admissions process. Because you really are more than the activities you do and the classes you have taken. And I promise, there is a lot there for you to talk about!

Today though, let's break down one of the Common App Essay prompts together.

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.

From the first glance you might think you aren't "unique" enough for this prompt. And if it doesn't call to you, maybe you pick a different one. But if you're willing to do a little self-reflection this one can be a great opportunity to showcase yourself. Here are a few questions for you to answer that can help get your wheels turning:

1. Is there a story from your childhood or your family that feels like "lore"? Basically, a story that feels like without hearing it, you aren't understood as clearly? Maybe your family immigrated from another country, or you took up dance because of your grandmother who always loved to dance. Think of the stories that get told when family gathers and start there.

2. What are you good at? It could be something that comes naturally to you, like singing, drawing, or doing quick math in your head (jealous). But it can also be something you've worked hard at. You might play a sport but you had to practice really hard to get to the level you're at, like extra training days or special summer camps. Why did you feel called to work so hard to achieve that level? (Hopefully not just to impress colleges.) What does it mean to you to look back and reflect on how far you've come? Are you proud of yourself? Was there anyone there along the way cheering you on?

3. What's meaningful to you these days? It could be your friends, your family, maybe your family pet. It could also be your faith or your future to which you're already looking forward. Take a moment to write down the things in your life that mean the most. Who would you be without those things? Would your life be different without some aspects? All? How can you reflect on what's meaningful to you to find out your core values of what matters most?

Each of these questions can take this essay into a totally different direction. Which is the great part about open ended questions like this one. There is no one "right" answer. Instead, think of them as an invitation to think about your own experience from a different perspective. Hopefully, these examples help you see that your life is a unique story, even if on paper you feel like you blend in with everyone else from your school. That's why your personal essay matters. It's your one shot to tell the admissions counselors who you are, what you stand for, and, between the lines, why you’d be an excellent addition to their campus.

I hope this helps! In the next post, we’ll look at another Common App essay prompt and talk about how to weave in humor—without forcing it or losing your voice.