The college essay is the one piece of writing that students always want to be perfect. Students understand all too well the far-reaching implications of a college essay. This is why they struggle to arrive at a topic that will market them well.
Eight years ago, after my husband and I got engaged, I embarked on my search for the perfect wedding gown. Five bridal boutiques and about 50 dresses later, I found it. I've heard of women who say that the first dress they try on is "The Dress" -- those lucky ladies! By the time I found my bridal gown, I had been through several minor meltdowns. Often, I share this story with my students, because I walked down the aisle in that dress, and I was a very happy bride.
I hope you see my analogy. In the same way that I had collected a plethora of pictures from bridal magazines thinking that they were all ideal dresses for me, I was surprised, when I tried them on, at how "not me" they looked. Students may think that they know the perfect essay topic, but they shouldn't be shocked if they start to write ideas down and don't like them very much. It takes time, so start early.
When it comes to college essay drafts, I ask students one question when they walk in for an initial writing conference with a paper for me to "look over." Before I ever read word one, I ask, "On a scale of one to ten, one being not very willing, and ten being totally willing, how willing are you to part with what you've written and start from scratch?" A student's response to this gives me a clear sign not only of his or her passion for the piece, but also a straightforward indicator of approach to the writing process. Once that question is answered, I can conduct my "PQP" conference. I praise the strengths of the piece, I question the writer on points to consider for development, and I offer my suggestions for how to polish the piece. It might take two or three conferences like this before a student really feels confident. Or it might only take one. It all depends on the student's willingness to be recursive.
I advise students not to ask too many people their opinions on the essay once it feels complete. It's important to seek out people who will give you feedback on the content of the piece. In the final stages, find someone who can proofread well, but don't worry about mechanics until that point. Remember, too, that students often need to write more than one college essay, and they are not "one size fits all." It's important to answer the question asked on the application, not the question you wish you were asked. Just as job candidates need to rewrite their resumes for a specific company's requirements, students need to write focused essays for their applications.
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