Hello Fellow Parent, and Welcome!
As the school year winds down, my work with students writing essays for their college application ramps up. I just want to put it out there that when it comes to personal essays, it’s likely most of what your kid is (and maybe you are) worrying about is not worrisome! Sometimes it’s hard to discern good advice from hearsay, so let’s bust some myths (written for the student, just in case you want to share this with your child).
5 Evergreen College Personal Essay Myths Busted
Myth #1: I have nothing interesting to say about my normal boring life.
Truth: Your life is only normal and boring to you. For those of us not living inside of your world and your head, your life is like a unique and fascinating foreign country. Look closer at the details of your everyday life that you usually take for granted and notice all your senses. On your commute to school, do you ride a bus past the Empire State building, bike through a new housing development, walk past palm trees? Do you smell pluff mud or cow dung or Twinkies baking in the nearby factory when you open your bedroom window? Nobody but you knows these details of how you interact with your world.
Myth #2: I have to sell myself in my essay.
Truth: You’re at a party. Someone walks up to you and starts “sharing” all his accomplishments, how he “facilited” this club, and “moreover” was voted captain of that team. Would this person impress you? Would you want to continue talking to this person for four minutes, let alone invite him to live in your (campus) community for four years? Skip the “pitch” (that can come across as bragging or insecure), and write as your genuine self in your essay, so the reader can get to know the appealing human being behind all the data in the rest of the application.
Myth #3: I can’t write about sports (overdone), politics (controversial), a service trip (privileged), or…
Truth: What you love, care about, and talk about so much that your parents and friends wish you’d shut up about it already is a great essay topic for you! If that’s football, or the young democrats club, or skateboarding, or the life-changing service trip you took to a foreign country, so be it. You can write about (almost) anything. Just use common sense. Would you or someone you know be offended? Is it illegal? It’s your approach to your topic, not the topic itself, that will influence how fresh or commonplace, fascinating or offensive your essay will turn out.
Myth #4: I’m a bad writer.
I hear this from a lot of students who feel more confident with STEM subjects than humanities subjects. Once they let go of this black-and-white thinking, these students write knockout personal essays. A personal essay is a different type of writing than the writing required for school, so you’re starting with a clean slate. It takes more courage than talent to figure out and authentically say what you want to say, not what you think colleges want to hear, and record it in writing. (BTW what you want to say is what colleges want to hear!)
Myth #5: I’m not procrastinating; I’m just not feeling inspired to write right now.
I get it. When school’s out for summer, the beach beckons, and hanging out with friends (or even folding laundry) sounds more appealing than working on an essay not due until next fall. I fully support you having fun this summer! I also strongly advise you to schedule specific times on your calendar to plant your butt in a chair and write and revise your essay (and by revise, I mean more than just fixing a comma here and there). Inspiration usually happens while you’re writing and revising. Future you will thank past you for breaking through procrastination and getting this essay done before demanding senior classes kick in.
Please show this newsletter to your child if you think it will help them complete their essay this summer. If not, check out the section in College Admissions Cracked where I share myriad ways to find essay help.
Sanity Saver: De-stress in one minute.
I’ve heard this breathing technique called the “physiological sigh.” I think of it as the quickest method I know to lower your heart rate for stressful activities or to help you fall asleep.
Instructions:
- Take a long inhale through your nose.
- Add an extra little sniff of air.
- Take a long exhale through your mouth.
Feel yourself calm down. Repeat a few times, if it soothes you.
In Conclusion
You’ll hear a lot about what college applicants should or shouldn’t do when writing their college personal essay, and much of it will be trash talk. Of course, be polite to these well-intentioned folks as you take a deep breath (and an extra sniff), and smile while you exhale and ignore the mythology they’re spouting. You know the truth, and your bright, capable kid can do this. No worry or sales pitch or artificial intelligence necessary.
Warmly,
Jill
