>>12853468Typically, you will have to do the Common App essay question as well as some possibly shorter essay questions for the schools that you apply to.
Some advice on that (especially the Common App essay):
1-write with complete grammatical correctness, clarity, and fluidity. Make it sound like your communication skills are solid. Proofread everything for grammatical errors.
2-don't try to come off as a tryhard, arrogant, or pseudo intellectual in your essay. Don't try to sound smarter than you are.
3-the flip side of that coin: don't come off as lazy, unprofessional, or unmotivated.
4-be genuine. e.g. Don't write about how you have a passion for helping orphans in Africa because you think it's what they want to hear, when in reality you have no such passion.
5-flip side of that coin: don't be boring. Don't write a standard fare essay about how you like sports. You can write about sports, but if you do, put a spin on it. Try to weave some theme throughout the essay.
6-Stay within the word limit, but don't make it too short. Make it a polished piece. It should have a beginning, middle, and end, but the form shouldn't be too rigid - you don't have to use the 5-paragraph essay model and you won't be in college anyways.
Try to have a hook- something memorable at the beginning of the essay, but nothing too corny or cringe.
7-for all prompts, remember ATFQ. Answer the Fucking Question. If the question asks for something specific, make sure you answer it. If it's a multi-part question, make sure you get the answer to all of the parts in your essay.
That's all I can think of for now. You should be able to consult with your school's guidance counselor for more help. There are plenty of resources for essay writing that you can Google too.
