Many prompts come as questions, but they can also come as a description. You always have to keep the judges engaged in your story. When prompts come as questions, you do not need to answer them right away. Tell the background, the problem, the solution, how you felt, and at the end you answer the question. Also if you're talking about someone, don't tell who it is until the end. This will make them want to find out and continue reading. It is very important that you keep them engaged since the beginning, in the introduction is where they decide if it is worth it or not. Most importantly, if you're worth it or not. If you need to go over and over it, then do so. It will make your essay better. Every time we reread, we always find something to change!

Talking about rereading, start early. I totally advice that! If you are able to, start two months before. This will give plenty of time so you can make several drafts and reread. I recommend sending your drafts to family, friends and teachers, they would give you other thoughts that are not yours for the first time. This will help you answer the following questions: Is it interesting? Are the ideas logical? Is that me on a piece of paper? While rereading, put yourself in the admissions officer shoes, would you approve a student that turns in that essay? Make sure that you are not listing things or repeating things that you already said. That will just show lack of confidence and experiences.

I think everyone will give this advice, be unique. Admissions officers wan to see YOU, learn about YOU, why are YOU the best candidate? Get personal with it, that is not bad. Do not copy others stories, and by this, I do not mean copy and paste. I mean, if my friend wrote about how someone changed her life, do not do the same! (plus is very common). Everyone has a story worth telling. And it does not have to be a huge thing, you can keep it simple, but interesting. Probably this might be a little cliché or I do not know, but write with passion. Write about things you care, you are passionate about, your inspiration, demonstrate your values and principles, be yourself.

If the prompt is telling you to describe, it does not mean literally describe. I advise to use STAR method. STAR means: Situation, Task, Action and Result. You are not describing, but telling the whole story. And if it asks to describe a topic of interest, say why. Why did you choose that topic? And, What interests you about it? Here we cannot use STAR, unless there was a situation that got you into the topic. Always keep it real, passionate, interesting and mysterious. A little bonus, if the prompt is describing. Practice by writing an essay on something so simple like a glass, it is very simple but difficult at the same time.

Last but not least, probably the most important, take a break. Always take breaks, go eat something, drink something, go even just to breathe! If writing an essay for a homework is already a pressure, imagine writing an essay for your college application! This will help you clear your mind, and if you are blank, new ideas will come to mind. In addition, if you stay too much time in front of a digital device it will damage your eyes. Probably not at the moment, but as time goes on, it will damage your vision. And you will spend two months writing! This also allows us to return to reality. When you get in too deep, you totally disconnect from everything else. So, it will help you keeping it real, since when you are writing totally forget about what is seriously going on at the moment.

Alright everyone, this was all for this mini article. I really hope you guys got something out of this. These are tips I have received from my teacher, and also I have found out about them on my own. I have not applied to college yet, but I am practicing for when I need to write my essay. I really hope you get in your dream college, you deserve it! It just needs determination, time and research. Do not forget that asking is not bad. I totally recommend asking teachers, they know best in this field. I leave you with a phrase: “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself” -Oprah Winfrey.

Research about the organization. Go through their socials, blog, initiative. Anything you can gather is good. You will have a better understanding of what they are doing and answer "Why us?" a better way.

You need to let them know you are interested in them. So a question you can ask ia why they started the org. Or write down any questions you have. If have absolutely no idea what to write down, tell them you are excited to be part of their org and you are looking forward to working with them.

Even if it seems it is a lot to read, you don't want to miss anything. Read and make sure you are eligible for the position you are applying for. And look how time much time and commitment does it entails. Are you able to commit to that position? And are you able to commit to a team?

Last but not least, take your time. Make sure you answer all the questions correctly. Think about your answers, you want to convince them. Show confidence and experience (even if you don't have any). When you are done read it again, and think "Would I hire this person?"