<p>I'm frustrated because I have too much stuff to say about me, and its all over the place. It's hard to write ONE life experience, and its hard to try to Show-and-Not-Tell. More frustrating is that I seem to get some good ideas while I'm on my job, or in the shower, and as soon as I try to write it down I forget it. Ugh. If I could only give the adcoms an autobiography of my whole life.</p>
<p>I also believe that this College Essay forum needs to be revitalized. We need to do some PR in the other boards.</p>
<p>Wow, do I feel with you :( You literally took the words right out of my mouth.</p>
<p>:( I have like 20 word files on my laptop, they are each an attempt at beginning an essay. There is no way I'm going to be ready by December.</p>
<p>I'm a very straight to the point type of person. So my essays come out very plain and to the point without the descriptive language that you get with other people's essays.
Don't worry cafesimone:
I've started over like 50 times: on different topics, same topic. Nothing ever sounds right.
I thought this was going to be the easiest part but I was so wrong :(</p>
<p>cafesimone, it's okay to have a billion different beginnings. I did, too. Nothing from these first attempts even made it into my final essay. It won't come to you right away, and it won't even seem like a progressive process, but it will happen, eventually, maybe even suddenly.</p>
<p>Gabs91 that's exactly how my essays sound like! Except when you see "examples" of other essays they're always so descriptive and ugh. Adcoms are always encouraging that too. So I'm sad. </p>
<p>olgita, how much time did you spend on your final essay?</p>
<p>I am doing horrible. I am completely stumped on the first Umich short answer. :/</p>
<p>everything i try and write sounds so forced and simplistic. i dont want to give them a re-stated list of my EC's and how thats good. arggghh</p>
<p>It's just a little frustrating getting so much into a few hundred words, as Shakespeare once said, brevity is the soul of wit. I appreciate how this process really sets apart candidates (although I don't appreciate how frustrating it can be!)</p>
<p>At the risk of being increasingly frustrated, I haven't really started any drafts.</p>
<p>Whenever I try, it ends up as a poem.</p>
<p>BAH! Everything I write ends up like a poem, my AP Comp teacher pretty much told me so too. Grrr.</p>
<p>i hate myself. just when i need it nothing pops up...
common aps essay which one did people pick? im trying to type freely just brain storming and im having trouble</p>
<p>I've barely started. I feel so lost.... noone's really around to tell me how to begin or what to do.</p>
<p>^ Lol, it is kinda ironic. All teenagers lives, they have been trying to free themselves from the control of others in order to become more independant. However, when it comes to writing this dreaded essay, they whine because they don't have someone guiding them along the way.</p>
<p>I'm so frustrated right now. I have no idea what to write for the common app essay. Everything I could possibly write about makes me seem like I'm someone who can't handle being away from home, which stinks because a) most of the schools I'm applying to are several hundred miles away and b) that's not true. My family means a lot to me, so a lot of my topics would probably focus just a little too much on my relationship with them, especially my relationship with my sister. I'm just worried that I'll write something that makes it seem like I can't be independent from them, which I know I can.</p>
<p>I wrote about a significant experience, whichever topic that was. </p>
<p>@ srgirl6
I really don't think the adcoms will evaluate your ability to live away from home based on your essay. Don't worry about it.</p>
<p>I started with the Georgetown one....now im trying to figure out if I should try and mold it into a common app one too. It might be kinda hard though....its kinda specific about health professions....that was the question.</p>
<p>It was funny though....i was talking to my mom about this guy who mistaked me for an employee at winco today. I had a name tag on from the museum across the street where i volunteer and he asked me like where something was. it was something kinda strange too...can't remember exactly what he said. But it was funny. my mom was just like "OOH! you could write an essay about that...." haha
i mean while it was a revelation in my life, i dont know if it is up to par to write about. Maybe i could use it to create a satirical view of this entire writing process.</p>
<p>I was in everyone's position about a week ago. I was so intimidated by the process that I felt hopeless. I had read a few essays from college admissions and they seemed so complete and meaningful, with great description and the BEST topics!</p>
<p>Randomly (I think I was on the computer when it happened), everything fell into place. I remembered a funny, but embarrassing incident that took place two weeks ago. It was odd, but personally revealed my quirks that made me human. </p>
<p>The most important advice I give in the essay writing process is do not by any means lie. I know this sounds stupid, because how will the admissions officers know. But, lying takes away from that sense of genuineness, that bare honesty. Don't leave out the parts that you normally would throw away because they seem petty or embarrassing - you can really turn those moments of truth into great personality points. It is key, however, to not add in moments that didn't happen. You won't be able to include those oh so necessary details that make the "50 essays that got them into Harvard" so special. </p>
<p>If you really can't find a topic, think about a time where you screamed so loud, cried so hard, smiled so wide, laughed till you dropped to the floor. I am not talking about the typical situations - when you were so excited because you won the prize, when you were so upset because your loved one passed on, when you smiled so wide because you realized you were in love, or when you laughed so hard because you were inspired by your grandpas jokes. </p>
<p>Everyone has those times! Make it a time when you know that you have only felt that way. Make it a time that explores your true workings inside and out - not that you are smart, hard working, and helpful. An example would be like to describe your favorite fascination: you loved to stare into the mirror at yourself to watch your face change and your surroundings morph. If this was truly your fascination, you could turn this into a not so boring essay - perhaps this experience has taught you something that a quick glance in the mirror can't reveal - or perhaps this fascination to bend reality reveals your true personality. I don't know..but it this topic sounds a hell of a lot more interesting if done right than "why my trip to South America changed my life".</p>
<p>I'm not asking you to sound odd. I'm just asking you to explore yourself. What makes you tick? How would you really describe yourself, if you didn't have to impress anyone? What personal habits do you have that are only known to you? Those essays always turn out to be so revealing and personal, the best ones in my opinion.</p>
<p>This method may angry some, or help others. I know it worked for me. You don't need to speak about something that has been in your life for five years. I find it easy to be specific. Just find a moment (of it could be the span of five years if you like) that paints your self-portrait.</p>
<p>That's all i have to say!</p>
<p>i'd also suggest handwriting you essay first or at least the beginning. I know this sounds weird, but there is something very intimidating about a blank screen. It helps when you can physically cross out ideas and sentences. Once your comfortable with your idea and have something going then type it and finish it on the computer. I think where your write helps too. Try changing your environment. If you have tried writing in you room, go outside or to a coffee shop. I think it's the little things that help. I would be happy to edit or look over anything if you are really frustrated. I like proofreading and english has always been my thing. Feel free to PM.</p>
<p>Gabs: that is exactly how i am</p>
<p>I probably have like 5 or 6 document files all with are completed or half essays becuase I keep thinking of new things to put in the essay or new topics</p>
<p>eehhh</p>