Parents of high school juniors and seniors often ask me about the college essay writing process, which is at first shrouded in institutional mystery. The only part they really know about is the end goal: a stellar personal essay that needs to be submitted and secure the coveted admissions spots. There can be a lot of pressure on this one precious piece of writing. However, if you understand that there is a process, and the college essay writing process actually produces reliably good results you might exhale. In fact, I hope parents exhale a lot! Have questions about the optimal college essay writing timeline? See this post Later posts will be devoted to the ANATOMY of a college essay. STAGES of the college essay writing process One: Brainstorm like it’s your job I don’t actually like the term “brainstorm.” Instead, I prefer “idea flurry” or “thought flow.” Writing is rarely like a storm. Storms make us want to seek shelter. But the generative process should feel good and permissive. It should make us want to run out into an open field and ask for more. Point is, don’t gatekeep your ideas. We suggest signing up to receive our free PDF, “The Memory Game,” as a writing kickstarter! Once you’ve produced your topic tag-line or “idea”- please don’t stop brainstorming, or cork the idea flow! Keep going. Pour yourself into your content creation. Follow the flow of your thoughts, or the scent of a story, or the sequencing of memories. This. Takes. Time. Don’t worry- you won’t just write randomly or associatively until the admissions deadline and hope for the best. You’ll start to see patterns and special connections. Or you’ll freewrite on something of personal value and significance. In other words, you’ll find what you’re trying to say, and then the structure and support (a teacher, a coach, some craft lessons) to say it. Two: Draft like it’s your job Once you’ve zeroed in on your topic, or even a few possible topics, you have to Continue Reading …