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It’s September, which means seniors everywhere are staring down one of the most important parts of the college application: the essay.
Your personal statement is your chance to show admissions officers who you are beyond grades and scores, and the best essays are never written the night before they’re due.
That’s why we recommend that seniors START NOW. To make it easier, we’ve rounded up some incredible free resources, podcasts, videos, and blogs, to help you brainstorm, draft, and polish your essay.
Podcasts
Admission Nutrients (Part 1: Intro) - College Essay Guy Podcast
Ethan Sawyer explains “Admission Nutrients” the core qualities colleges look for in applicants, and how you can highlight them in your essay.
504: A Crash Course in the Personal Statement - College Essay Guy Podcast
A step-by-step breakdown of how to choose a topic, avoid clichés, and know when your essay is done
“Putting the Wow in Your College Essay” – College Bound Mentor Podcast
In this episode featuring Susan Knoppow, Co‑Founder of Wow Writing Workshop, you'll learn the "Wow Method": a 10-step approach to uncovering your unique voice, reducing stress, and writing standout essays. Great for students feeling stuck at the blank-page phase.
“Writing Tricks for College Essays and Beyond” – Writing Tricks Podcast
This episode digs into crafting clear thesis statements, structuring ideas with the PEEL method, and integrating evidence effectively, essential tools for building coherent, polished essays.
Youtube Videos
How to Write a Killer College Essay - Jack Delehey, CollegeConsulting.US
The Common App personal statement isn’t about answering a prompt—it’s about writing something fun, memorable, and authentic that shows who you are. Throw out the five-paragraph essay formula, break form, and let your personality shine through so admissions officers remember you.
Five Qualities that Will Make Your Supplemental Essays Standout - Jack Beecher, CollegeConsulting.US
Supplemental essays can feel stressful, but this video breaks them down into five clear qualities—matching your story to the prompt, taking a unique approach, and writing with concision and clarity. It’s a reminder that the best essays aren’t just answers to a question, but engaging stories told simply and authentically.
Blogs
12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay – Harvard Summer School
Harvard’s guide gives you a clear toolkit, from “grab the reader from the start” with vivid hooks to “show, don’t tell” and authenticity in every line. It’s full of smart strategies like drafting early, writing with your reader in mind, and letting your real voice shine through.
How to Write a College Essay: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide - College Essay Guy (Ethan Sawyer)
Ethan lays out a smart roadmap to write your essay and emphasizes that your essay is the “heart of your application,” showing who you are, what you value, and what you bring to campus.
If you want more tailored guidance for your freshman or sophmore, reach out here!
Best,
Melina Kazanas
P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We'll help get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges...and if we don't get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges, you don't pay us a penny. Seriously. College admissions isn't rocket science...but it is a science. And we've cracked the code...year, after year, after year. You can learn more about our world renowned all-inclusive, start-to-finish college coaching here and to see if your family qualifies for an introductory call.
P.P.S - Our most common question is "When should we start?!" The answer is, if you truly care about giving your high schooler the best chance of college planning success, you should start NOW. 9th grade is not too early to start! 10th grade is certainly not too early to start! And 11th grade is far, far too late! (supporting data here to show just how much of an advantage you give your child by starting the process early).
