<p>College essays are ridiculous. :(</p>
<p>I’m tired of trying to think of what/how to write about myself.</p>
<p>Seriously, I have to write three essays by September 29th; I’m running out of time.</p>
<p>So? Write about your grandfather.</p>
<p>Write about how tired you are of writing about yourself, better yet.</p>
<p>Start the essay: I have to write three essays about myself by September 29th. I’m running out of time. Ruminate on what it means to you to run out of time. </p>
<p>Of course, you can’t use that now, but you get the idea. Just start with whatever is in your head and keep going. All writing is rewriting, anyway…and you will be able to edit out something that looks like an essay from what you write. Stop thinking about it and just type. You might surprise yourself.</p>
<p>Note: always have somebody read your work for sense.</p>
<p>I don’t know what to write about.</p>
<p>It’s making me sad and stressed.</p>
<p>And I just found out the other day that my sister has muscular dystrophy, so people are just like… Obviously you should write about that! And I really don’t want to… it’s way too depressing.</p>
<p>So, start your essay, "I just found out the other day that my sister has muscular dystrophy. People are telling me I should write about that. But I don’t want to. I want to write about____________________. </p>
<p>Ready, set, go. Just write.</p>
<p>I’ve written three essays already and scrapped all three. Writing without thinking isn’t really working for me. Thanks for the advice, though.</p>
<p>P.S. Wouldn’t you think that saying that I have to write three essays in a week would give off a bad vibe? As if I’m a procrastinator? (In reality I’m not, I just either haven’t had time or haven’t been able to get anywhere lol)</p>
<p>Thankfully, I have a first draft done, but the whole process is just draining.</p>
<p>I used to think there was absolutely NOTHING special about me. But one day, something just clicked and I became completely set on my topic. Don’t worry too much about the topic. It’s supposed to be about how you present the essay anyway.</p>
<p>poetgrl, I can’t stand the rewriting! I ALWAYS find something to change every time I read over my essay. It feels never-ending!</p>
<p>Just be you.</p>
<p>The essay is a snapshot of who you really are, but nothing you wouldn’t tell a stranger on an airplane.</p>
<p>It’s not an academic paper.</p>
<p>You’re used to writing with your left brain, but you need to use your right brain, too.</p>
<p>Mandu, if you always find something you want to change, then that means you are probably a really good writer.</p>
<p>I love writing those types of essays.</p>
<p>It’s the “Why College X?” essays that I despise.</p>
<p>okay, well you’ve got a point on that one.</p>
<p>But, really, WHY COLLEGE X? WHY NOT Y?</p>
<p>I mean, there’s got to be that one thing where the two of you intersect so perfectly.</p>
<p>I always get discouraged by the amazingly awesome, poetic, clever, insightful, and/or humorous essays I read in the “X Many Successful Ivy Essays” books and the like.</p>
<p>Haha, that’s an interesting (and flattering) perspective…</p>
<p>I agree. The “Why College X?” questions are much harder, especially because of the short character limit. One thing I love about the Common App essay is the freedom of space!</p>
<p>Well, if you compare your rough draft to thier polished essay, you are bound to be discouraged.</p>
<p>Actually, “I always get discouraged by the…” would be the very best way for you to start your essay.</p>
<p>Yes, the space limitation. Just write it all down and take the best stuff you’ve got and toss out the rest. It’ll be denser that way, and better, anyway.</p>
<p>No I just read their essays for inspiration. Then I start to feel as though I’m copying them, even though I’m not. Then I struggle to think of an equally awesome way of putting things, but fail miserably.</p>
<p>I know it’s a sucky approach, but it’s all I got right now. haha I just can’t write about myself (I’m way too modest - to be haughty for a change lol).</p>
<p>“I mean, there’s got to be that one thing where the two of you intersect so perfectly.”</p>
<p>^ But what if that one (or more) reason(s) is the same for 10,000 other applicants? How do you write an interesting intro, include specific details, and separate yourself from the crowd in so little space?</p>
<p>Fallen Angel-- Well, good luck to you. I’m sure you will figure it out. I’d try reading some poetry instead of those essay books, or I’d put on some of my favorite music, actually, which is your generation’s version of poetry anyway.</p>
<p>I’d keep in mind that the most important unifying force in your essay is that it is all written by you. And I wouldn’t worry about it so much. Barring that, if I really couldn’t stop worrying about it??? I’d write about why I’m so worried about it…the things you’re telling me.</p>
<p>Mandu–All great writing is in the details specific to you, but only you will be able to know what these are and only through witing them down. As T.S Elliot said, “How do I know what I think until I see what I have to say?”</p>
<p>Write it down and then edit it down.</p>
<p>You’ll know the two or three sentences when you see them.</p>