The College Application Essay – it’s the single-most most important thing that can make or break a good application. You may think that it is what you do that matters, not so much how your present it. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Getting Started with Brainstorming

Time yourself for five minutes and just jot down whatever comes to your mind when you think about yourself and the activities you like. And then analyze, even if you haven’t written much, what comes to your mind first. It’s most likely going to be what you consider your most significant achievement or what interests you the most. Talk to related people – and you may just have the beginning ideas of a brilliant essay.

Protip: Use The Most Dangerous Writing App to just get started with writing. If you stop for a few seconds, well....it'll just delete what you've written so far! While you should not write your final version this way, it's a good way to get over the initial hurdle of just writing down your thoughts.

Also practice describing, in a line or two, the extr...