What's the Question-Part Two
It’s encouraging to realize you’re prepared and have practiced the basic skills of the application essay—your school essays aren’t that different from what’s required here. The text is now YOU rather than a book or a battle.

But what you don’t want to do next is sit down at the computer with your list of colleges and start typing. Instead, start with you. Then move to the questions.

Before you ask yourself, “What do they want to hear?” ask “What do they need to know?”

Let’s take a trip into the admission office. Your reader has before her your transcript of classes and grades, your test scores, your recommendation letters, the grid of your activities, and a substantial amount of personal information. She may also have supplemental information like slides, a performance tape, or a coach’s evaluation. So will that constellation of materials cover it? Through that pile of papers, will your reader get to know the person behind the application?

Be careful—we’re not asking what you’ve done that’s not included. We’re asking who you are besides all those numbers and check marks. What personal qualities or characteristics might not come through without a little more light on the subject? Time spent thinking about YOU will pay off. Talk to your guidance counselor, a favorite teacher, your parents. Don’t be tempted to start writing about something that’s happened to you (that trip, the illness, the big game loss) until you’ve thought about personal characteristics—creativity, commitment, energy—that you want admissions to know more about. Choosing the specific lens into your text comes second. First look in…then look out.