Greetings, SO'ers! How has everyone's summer been?! Mine has been full of work, injuries and just plain weirdness.

I've come for some help. I'm applying Early Decision to Smith College. All of my applications and other paperwork needs to be in by this November 15th. At my interview, the admissions counselor said that they put the most emphasis on the essay. The essay! Not SAT scores, or your GPA, the freaking essay. They want to, through your essay, know who you are as a person. She said I could write my essay on whatever topic I wanted.

Now I know a kid who wrote about his bus ride to school everyday and it got him into Yale... I know who I am as a person- but I don't want my essay to be some corny thing titled, "Who I Am!" or "What I Can Contribute to Smith". Those would be too safe, too classic. I'm looking for advice on this stupid essay. I have no idea where to even start.

If anyone has any ideas or comments for me, I'd love the help. I'm obsessed with getting into this college, it's been my dream for a long time and I'll probably be crushed if I don't get in. Also, if you have any interesting college-applying stories, I'd love to hear them. Thanks guys, I know I can always count on you! :kiss:

Why don't you write an essay on what you what to do with your life and what you see yourself doing in the future.

oh karly. my favorite. going to college. how cute.

Anyway. You pretty much got it...Be unique, sound smart, use good vocabulary. Maybe talk about one particular thing in your life that made a big impact on you as a person. Don't give your entire life story with a list of everything you've ever done in high school and all of your grades. Especially if extracurriculars are listed somewhere else on the application. They see your application, you don't need to repeat it in the essay. And don't be cliche because, as clever as you think you are, 200 other people probably used the same phrase as you.

My essay had a prompt, so I didn't have much creativity room. Mine was pretty much BS and full of nothing, but it's a state school, so I got in. Go figure.

Anyway. Good luck.

One idea I think is good, is to write an future autobiographical essay of sorts. Imagine yourself 10, 20 or 30 years from now and that you are reflecting on those past years, in other words how you picture yourself years from now. It allows you to show them who you are, without being safe or classic.

you could write an essay about someone that is an inspiration to you, and relate it to your own goals and plans...

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm making a list of them to help me out. I never thought applying to college would be this nerve-racking