Essays and she-says

I started working on my essays this week and I have come to two conclusions:

1. It doesn’t get easier,
2. Knowing the response to the essay prompt is totally different from being able to communicate it in the essay within the specified limit.

I knew my answers to most of the essay prompts the moment I read them but I have had a difficult time putting those answers down in a convincing format. The drafts are getting better though they are still not good enough for me to send to any of my reviewers, which brings me to the business of essay reviews.

I discovered some errors in my submission to Booth last year after I had submitted and part of me believes that is one of the reasons I didn’t get in. Therefore, I want to make sure that if I don’t get into any of the schools I apply to, it won’t be because of errors in my essay. This year, all my essays will be reviewed by at least two out of these three categories of people:

• Family and Friends
• Colleagues
• Current students and Alumni

Another thing I plan to do is to give my essays to friends and ask them to tell me the prompt from what they can read, that way I will be sure that I have answered the questions asked.

I’m open to any other suggestions regarding essays, if you care to share yours.