Student Question #4: Should I Write the Essay All at Once?

Student Question

"How should I write the essay? Is it better to write it all at once and then edit or to write and edit as I go?"

My Response

When I work with my students, I ask them to write the entire first draft all at once without editing as they go. Because later drafts will probably change, I don't want them to waste time editing. That's like polishing a car on the dealer's lot before you've decided to buy it.

After the first draft is done, I provide comments, and the students revise. Usually, in that first week after finishing the first draft, we go through 3 drafts. Then I ask the students to set the essay aside for a couple days and not even look at it. Setting the essay aside provides the distance to be able to identify parts of the essay that aren't working. By the end of the second week, we can finish the essay up. I suppose we could spend 2 months working on the essay, but at a certain point, we have to be practical and accept the law of diminishing returns. Besides, there are lots of other essays to write!

So, to summarize: 1. Find someone you trust to give you feedback. That's a critical part of the writing process. 2. When you're writing the first draft, don't stop to edit. 3. After you get feedback, do a few drafts in quick succession. 4. Allow enough time to set the essay aside for a few days so you can get enough distance to look at the essay with fresh eyes. 5. If you've put in the work and are happy with your essay, don't be afraid to say it's done and move on to the next one.

Final Thoughts

If you thought today's post was helpful, please share it with your friends. Good luck writing!

Jon

Jon Perkins holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He helps students with their college, law school, and medical school applications.

Student Question #3: Can I Discuss Gay Rights and Religion in My Essay?

Student Question

"Can I discuss gay rights and religion in my essay?"

My Response

Before answering your question, I would want to why you'd like to write about this issue. Why does it matter to you? If you have a clear, compelling reason to write about it (like you or someone you're close to is LGBT), then you might attack the topic from the angle of how you explored and adopted your belief.

Did something happen to change your mind? Did you face any resistance in arriving at your belief? How has your belief changed the way you act?

If you reflect on these questions, you might be able to defuse a controversial topic by focusing on your personal growth instead of the topic itself. Then again, after more thought, you might decide you can tell a story of personal growth with a topic less likely to provoke people's prejudices.

Final Thoughts

If you thought today's post was helpful, please share it with your friends. Good luck writing!

Jon

Jon Perkins holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He helps students with their college, law school, and medical school applications.

Student Question #2: Which of These Topics is Best?

Student Question

"I have a few essay ideas: 1. How my work ethic paid off. 2. How practicing an instrument taught me to be responsible and manage my time. 3. How I need classical music to keep me going. 4. How being short has affected me. 5. My experience visiting a foreign country. 6. How getting diarrhea when I am stressed has affected me.

Any thoughts?"

My Response

Though you can write a good essay about any topic, some of your ideas fall into what I call "essay ruts": common topics that yield familiar insights. #1, #2, #3, and #5 all seem to fall into that category. #6 might be unusual, but the ick factor is probably too high. Of all the ideas you've listed, I think #4 has the most potential.

Yes, I know that other people have written about how being short affected them. But if you write about some specific moments when being short changed your attitude and actions, that would be something interesting. Just be sure you're pushing beyond the general "Being short taught me Some Amazing Life Lesson" essay to focus on details unique to you. Ask yourself, "What would people expect me to write about this topic?" Then steer clear of that familiar territory and explore a surprising aspect of your story instead.

Final Thoughts

If you thought today's post was helpful, please share it with your friends. Good luck writing!

Jon

Jon Perkins holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He helps students with their college, law school, and medical school applications.

Student Question #1: Any Thoughts on Writing About Overcoming a Speech Impediment?

I've seen a lot of great student questions on college forums, and I thought they would make for some helpful blog posts. I'll respond to at least a few of these!

Student Question

"Any thoughts on writing about overcoming a speech impediment to get a big public speaking position?"

My Response

Here's my main question for you: How will you surprise the reader?

What you're describing is a huge accomplishment, which is great. But the challenge with these essays is that it's not enough to write something true. That won't distinguish you from other applicants who, for example, have also overcome obstacles to achieve something. You have to write something that is both true and memorable. For your essay to be memorable, you have to tease out an aspect of your story that is unexpected.

Here's what I mean. Based on what you've described, I'd expect your essay to have these elements: 1. You had a speech impediment. 2. Other kids made fun of you / you had trouble in school. 3. You worked really hard to overcome your speech impediment. 4. You showed you conquered your speech impediment by doing public speaking.

It's all true, but it's not surprising (but again, that's not to say it's not a great accomplishment, which it is). To make your story memorable, you might spend some time thinking about how your story is unconventional. Maybe what made the speech impediment bad is something we might not expect? Maybe going through the process gave you some kind of insight into communication / relating to people / understanding of people we might not expect? If you can describe a moment or two where your story veers off the expected path, you'll have a better chance of making your essay stand out!

Final Thoughts

If you thought today's post was helpful, please share it with your friends. Good luck writing!

Jon

Jon Perkins holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He helps students with their college, law school, and medical school applications.

Look Over My Shoulder #3

Here's today's entry in the Look Over My Shoulder series: Look Over My Shoulder #3

If you find it helpful, please share it with your friends. Good luck writing!

Jon

Jon Perkins holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He helps students with their college, law school, and medical school applications.