Hi, Reader!

Here's something I see a lot, especially as deadlines draw closer: a student finishes a draft and shares it with everyone they trust. Mom, dad, older sibling at Duke, favorite English teacher, piano teacher, the family friend who went to a good school 30 years ago.

But here's the problem: Two weeks later, the student has six sets of notes, a lot of confusing feedback, and an essay that sounds like nobody.

(Check out this video from the College Essay Guy on the risks of getting too much feedback.)

It makes total sense to go to the people who know you best and who want you to succeed. But that's actually the problem. The people who love you most are often (and I say this with love) the least qualified to give you neutral feedback — and the hardest to ignore.

So before you share your essay with anyone, decide what you're actually asking for. Specifically.

Want typos caught? Say that. Want to know if it makes sense? Ask that exact question. Looking for something deeper? Try this: ask your reader if they learned something new about you — something they couldn't already guess from your transcript. Or ask them to name 5 qualities they see coming through in your stories. That's the test that matters.

You want a reader who can tell you what's working and what's confusing. And if you end up with conflicting notes and a sinking feeling? That's too many cooks. Scale back. Go back to your own voice.

And if you have a nearly final essay and want some objective feedback from someone who doesn't know you but who wants to get to know you through your essay, my Personal Statement Review service might be just what you need.

The Tip

June is more than half over, and I'd bet "work on college essays" is still sitting on a mental to-do list somewhere. I totally get it. Who wants to write essays over the summer?

But here's what I tell students who feel stuck or are just putting off getting started: You don't need a plan. You need a starting point.

Pick one prompt — it doesn't have to be your favorite or one that feels most important. Just one. Set a timer for 20 minutes and write whatever comes out (or use a voice-to-text program on your phone or computer). Don't edit, don't second-guess, don't start over. Just write.

That's the whole tip.

The students I see struggle are almost always trying to write a perfect first draft instead of a creating a first draft that just exists. It doesn't have to be good yet. It just has to be on the page so you have something to work with. This essay shouldn't be one you get right on the first try (or the second, or the third).

If you're not sure where to start, pull up the Common App prompt list and pick the one where you think, "Oh, I actually have something to say about that." Then go write it.

You can edit a messy draft. You can't edit a blank page.

Your 7-Day Radar

Here are some deadlines and webinars happening in the next 7 days. Click each box to learn more.

Happy Writing!

Julia

​​​​

​Interested in Coaching? Let's Talk! | ​View My Resources | Join My Free Facebook Group | Visit My Amazon Storefront​

This email may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a percentage of the sale in commission, but using these links doesn't affect the price you pay. I recommend only products I use myself and believe in. Thank you for supporting me! Read more: Privacy Policy​

You're receiving this email because you opted in to my mailing list or because you're a current or past client. Don't need (or want) this information anymore? No hard feelings. Just use the links below to adjust your subscription.

If a friend has forwarded you this email and you'd like to subscribe, come join the party by clicking here.​