The Personal Essay/College Application Essay

Here are a couple of sites that discuss the new Common Application essay topics.  In different ways, both of these hone in on the key words in these new prompts and give one slant (the writer's) on what the questions are seeking to reveal.  Your take, of course, will be your own--but since these are brand new topics and I don't have a "track record" with them either, I figure you should read up a bit as a backdrop to making your own choice.

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/common-application-essay-prompts.htm

http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2013/07/dissecting-the-new-common-app-essay-prompts.html

This one has a questionable video attached, but do look at it for some overall information, including the reason for waiving your right to see letters of recommendation.  I'm not sure I heard the counselors mention that this year, and it's still important advice:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patrick-oconnor/common-application-coming_b_3671475.html

Here is the link to the school assignment for the personal essay; be sure to follow all of the formatting instructions given for class purposes.  Obviously such features as the heading and the typed prompt will not be on what you submit to a college eventually; you may or may not actually include a title on the application essay.  Particular college/university instructions vary.

Senior Personal Essay 2013

The first draft of this assignment is due on Monday, Sept. 30.  There will be a peer-response that day, which will be a valuable step in the process of developing a compelling, effective, and well-written essay.