Do you want an essay than shines a light on who you are and why you should be considered? If so, work with me to craft an essay that addresses the required topic in a personalized and polish way to let your experiences, beliefs, and personality shine through the page.

First, the Challenge:

You have 650 Words to tackle one of these Common Application Essay Prompts:

  •   Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.   
  •  Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.  How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
  •  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 place or environment where you are perfectly content.  What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
  •   Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

 How do you start?

Your first step is to consider which of these topics you can really answer.  Which one speaks to you?  Do you have a compelling personal story?  Do you have a moment of failure that stands out?  Do you have a great place that is meaningful to you?  What marked your transition to adulthood?

You next step is to tackle some form of free-writing.  Make a list.  Draw a picture.  Start a Pinterest board of pictures related to this event.  Use a formal outline.  Whatever you do, don’t start writing the essay yet.  Gather your thoughts.  You want this essay to be as a rich in description as possible; spend some time at this stage visualizing what you want the reader to see, hear, feel, smell, and taste about the moment you choose to describe.

 Then write the essay.  But use your own words.  Don’t try to sound too inflated or reach beyond your vocabulary.  Don’t make stuff up.  Be authentically you. 

 While yes, you want to get into college—you also want to get into the right college.  Lying on your application essay is like lying to a person you would like to date about who you are—imagine having to live with those lies through the next four years and how many thousands of dollars in tuition.  Also, the people reading these essays read a lot of essays—they aren’t easily fooled.

 After you have a draft of the essay, you want to apply everything you have learned in all those English classes since the first grade.  Do you have an interest catching opening?  Paragraphs?  Avoid the use of passive voice verbs?  Clear sentence structure?  Rich examples and details? A conclusion that really connects to the reader and the topic?

HELP????

 All of this may seem like a lot.  These essays do play a key role in something you have been working your whole life to achieve: getting into the college of your dreams.  If you find you need any help with any of these steps, I am able to help.  Email brandi.granett@gmail.com today.

 

Packages and Pricing

From Brainstorm to Polished Essay, includes:

  • One Skype or Telephone Session
  • Review of Freewriting
  • Review of two rough drafts
  • Editing of Final draft

0-600 Words: $350

601-1200 words $450

1201-2000 words $550

 

Proofreading Only

0-600 words: $60

601-1200 words $100

1201-2000 words $150

These prices are for one draft review.

Add $50 for 24-hour turnaround

10% discount for multiple essay review

For more information, please email brandi.granett@gmail.com or fill out this form.