<p>Hi guys, I am a rising freshman and also a horrible writer. Do you guys have any tips for preparing to write college essays or just essays in general? Do you guys know any excellent books for preparing to write college essays? -Thanks in Advance! :D</p>
<p>This is a thread from last year that might be helpful: <a href=“Pitfalls or Traps in the new Common Application essay - College Essays - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1526461-pitfalls-or-traps-in-the-new-common-application-essay.html</a></p>
<p>Anyone else have suggestions or tips?</p>
<p>“On writing the college application essay” by Harry Bauld. Fantastic book, short, very easy to read. </p>
<p>Thanks eniam!!</p>
<p>There’s a Tufts admissions officer named Dan who posts on reddit. It’s actually super helpful because it’s just an informal Q&A with an admissions officer at a selective school and because he seems like a totally normal human being, which for me made writing essays a little less intimidating. I don’t have the link right now, but if you just google “Dan Tufts admissions reddit” it’ll be the second or third result that comes up. Also, Tufts admissions office keeps a blog, and it’s very helpful in general. Dan wrote a minute by minute update of what was going on in committee (the time when they make decisions) one time. But they have tons of blogs on writing essays and on Dan’s reddit posts, he answers a lot of questions about essay. I found it extremely helpful and it made the process less intimidating overall. </p>
<p>As you are a student not even in high school yet, I advise you to avoid all admissions essay books or advice for a few years. </p>
<p>Read memoirs and essays by published writers, especially the great ones. Write in a journal as often as you can. Be introspective and observant and reflective. Live your life so you have something to say about yourself besides the fact that you spent the first three years of high school preparing to write your college essay. </p>
<p>Being a “horrible” writer (that’s really relative, and will likely change in the coming years) doesn’t mean you have to prep before ninth grade has even started. You don’t have to be a great writer to craft a solid essay. You just have to be honest.</p>
<p>Though my D and I can vouch for the amazing Dan from Tufts (as well as the Tufts admissions blog) when it comes to providing thoughtful, lively guidance on how to approach college essays, he’d probably give you the same advice I am.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>