Making Time to Write Your Application Essays

Do not procrastinate when it comes to writing college essays or preparing portfolios. You definitely DO NOT want to have to stay home just to finish up college applications while your friends are out having fun! Doesn’t this remind you of that anti-drug commercial about “having that talk with your kids about saying no to drugs”? Well, in many cases it is. When it comes down to it, these applications just need to get done.

Here is a good way to think of it: there are going to be many times in life where you can be lazy and it will not make much of a difference. For instance, you can be lazy with doing your laundry, with washing the dishes, or with walking the dog. However, all of these may lead to a rancid smell in your house. Most smells will not seriously change the direction of our life; however, college application procrastination might.

What NOT to think:

Thought 1: “Well, that application is not due until next month. I will do it later.”
Proper Response 1: “I'll get my rear in gear, sit in front of the computer, and just try typing up a draft. Who cares if what I come up with isn't even close to a final copy? I can rewrite it later.”

Thought 2: “I can just scrimmage some old writing samples and artwork for my portfolio. I’m sure I can find some stuff.”
Proper Response 2: “I don’t think that colleges will appreciate a paper that a high school English teacher graded a ‘B-’ or some drawings in crayon on the backs of used napkins.”

The Correct Attitude:

“I will have a good work ethic and start working—NOW!”
“Parties can wait; the essay cannot.”
“I’ll just lock this door for the weekend, unplug the land line, stop using instant messaging, and turn off my cell phone. That way I will get some real quality time with my college applications.”

How to Get it Done: A Sample Schedule

15 minutes: Organize a list of essay questions from the colleges you are most interested in.

15 minutes: Brainstorm some topics to approach the essay with – come up with a list of ten topics.

1 minute: Randomly choose one of the topics. If you are indecisive, then use the good old eeny-meeny-miny-moe method.

45 minutes: Write for thirty minutes straight without taking any bathroom or snack breaks. Try not to pick up your pen – not even to think. Continue to write and let the words flow on the topic that you chose. This way, your real voice will most likely show through.

This exercise will most likely warm you up to the essay-writing process. After doing this a few times, you should have a basic, solid essay to work from. Writing sessions will become easier as you start to understand what you want to say to the admissions staff and how you want to present yourself. Got some time? Start writing now!