Ah yes… we begin to take down the flags and patriotic streamers to inevitably give way to Halloween decorations. The candy, the costumes, the parties, the college application essays— wait, what??

Yes my dears, with the rains and the approaching holidays, application essays begin to show their scary little faces. So you are no Hemingway? Relax, most of us aren’t and you don’t need to be either.

Writing a winning application essay sounds more daunting than it actually is and although there is no foolproof method, here are a few pointers that may soon come in handy:

• First of all don’t think of writing an ESSAY, rather think of writing a short story.
• Don’t wait for the last minute to start brainstorming. It takes time to land that epiphany.
• Think of topics or anecdotes that bring out the rage, tears, or laughter within you; if they move your passions, they are bound to move your reader’s as well.
• Be careful with clichés; remember that topics like winning a championship or visiting an orphanage have been done thousands of times before.

DO: write an enjoyable depiction of your essence. Take a risk; don’t be afraid to stand out.

DON’T : sound like you are a bimbo in a beauty pageant wanting to banish world hunger and suffering armed with nothing but the flash of your bleached pearly whites.

DON’T : tell you audience who or what you are… let them find out through your story.

DON’T: talk about your ancestors if it doesn’t clearly relate to who you are. Don’t get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with feeling proud of your Grandparent and all he has achieved; just remember Pawpaw isn’t applying to college YOU are.

DON’T: take yourself too seriously. Try to write about yourself without sounding like a superhero. It is usually more enjoyable to discover someone’s strengths by watching them laugh at their weaknesses. Don’t be afraid to use humor.

Start strong: you don’t want to bore your reader from the get go. Make your sentences sound as bold and as determined as you would like others to see you.

End strong: if you can return to your opening line to help tie your essay together you will be doing wonders for your essay. Just as the introduction sets the tone of your essay, the conclusion resonates with the reader…it’s the cherry on your carefully crafted sundae.

But above all…breathe, relax and have fun with it…this is only the beginning.