How do I even write a college essay?

Okay, I was in the same exact position as you were so you can trust me!

The first thing that is important is what is the college asking of you. If they are asking you something like "show your strengths" or " explain a time where you had to overcome a hardship", that is the key signal for a story! If they are asking you something like " Why do you want to attend that specific college?", that's going to be more of an explanation and not so much a story, unless it's similar to a " I visited this school as a child and I knew".

I think that the safest tips to always rely on is implement a story or connection to yourself as best as possible, show some sort of reflection or how a specific moment changed or will change your future for the better, and please please please don't think you have to write the best essay in one go. It's okay to start small; jot some ideas down, see what you like or what you feel that you can really put your best foot forward on and write multiple drafts!

Good luck, you got this!

It really depends on the colleges. Some may have prompts that ask you for a specific moment in time where you showed strengths, while others are simply asking you why you want to attend their college. As I review different college essays, I've noticed that everyone has their own unique style. However, the most common thing I've observed is that in the first paragraph, you typically answer and connect it to a key point in your life. This key point you will often refer back to in your essay.

While this is all I know, I seriously recommend talking to your counselor/college, and career counselor so that they can guide you properly. If you don't have one, I'd also recommend consulting some college YouTubers who will likely have more advice and knowledge on this topic than I do.

GOOD LUCK THO QUEEN!

Think of something that makes you unique or an experience that really affected you, changed you, taught you something etc. Then just word vomit onto a paper, write whatever comes into your head, THEN go back and edit.

Don't just use big words like dichotomy that you wouldn't use in real life just to impress them. They see that all the time. I know it's a cliché, but the counselors want you to BE YOURSELF. When they get a bazillion essays about sports injuries and other common things, standing out by being authentic is best. Also, you can google some of the most successful essays- one was simply a girl relating her life to Costco. You don't need to cure cancer to get into a good school. Best of luck!