Here’s an outline option guide for your college essay: (taken from Escape Essay Hell by Janine Robinson)
Introduction
Anecdote: Mini-Story: Problem
Back Story
Give context to the anecdote: “It all started…” Then quickly bring the reader up to speed on the current problem. Go from there. Share how the problem made you feel.
Handling The Problem
Explain what steps you took to deal with the problem. Include: How you thought about it. When and why you got a plan or the strength to face the problem. What steps you took in handling it. How they worked out.
Lessons Learned
What did you learn by handling this problem? Include: What you learned about yourself, about others and about the world or life in general?
Conclusion
Link back to the anecdote and bring your reader up to current time in regard to the problem. Then, re-state the main point you are making with this essay about yourself—what you learned in dealing with this problem, how it changed you and/or your thinking about the world, what defining quality you used.
Sample Outline (taken from Escape Essay Hell by Janine Robinson
Introduction (Anecdote)
Ignoring my shaking legs, I counted down to myself, and then bolted toward the bar. All I thought about was jumping, and pushing every atom in my body toward the sky. After landing on the pad, I shut my eyes and listened for the sound of the pole rattling to the ground. (Problem: needs to clear the bar.)
Back Story (It all started…)
As a teenage boy who had yet to pass five feet, most of my friends and even my parents tried to discourage me from picking the high jump as my main sport in track my freshman year of high school. (Inject how the problem made you feel) I never let on how much their negative comments stung, and always just laughed off their doubts and unwanted opinions. As someone with the nickname of “Shrimp,” I thought this was a chance to change my image.
Handling the Problem
Here you could talk about why joined you the team, how you weren’t very good at first, how you practiced in your backyard and rigged up your own vault, spent hours jumping, read all the tips, etc. You slowly got better, surprising coach and yourself. But how you never expected that one day the status of the team would depend upon your clearing a six-foot high jump.
What You Learned
I still feel lucky that I never nicked the pole on that day, and the bar stuck and we won the meet. It was my highest jump ever, and I’m not sure I will ever be able to repeat it. But that doesn’t matter. I learned more than just how to jump like a kangaroo during those years in track. I learned how I didn’t have to let others define who I was, and that if I set a goal, and found my own skills and strategy to meet it, I could be whomever I wanted.
Conclusion
(Bring reader up to present) I still love the high jump. There are now other guys who can jump higher than me. And I may never hit six feet in height. But I will always feel like a tall guy for other reasons. I know I can always rise above almost any challenge by drawing on my wits and determination …
Introduction
Anecdote: Mini-Story: Problem
Back Story
Give context to the anecdote: “It all started…” Then quickly bring the reader up to speed on the current problem. Go from there. Share how the problem made you feel.
Handling The Problem
Explain what steps you took to deal with the problem. Include: How you thought about it. When and why you got a plan or the strength to face the problem. What steps you took in handling it. How they worked out.
Lessons Learned
What did you learn by handling this problem? Include: What you learned about yourself, about others and about the world or life in general?
Conclusion
Link back to the anecdote and bring your reader up to current time in regard to the problem. Then, re-state the main point you are making with this essay about yourself—what you learned in dealing with this problem, how it changed you and/or your thinking about the world, what defining quality you used.
Sample Outline (taken from Escape Essay Hell by Janine Robinson
Introduction (Anecdote)
Ignoring my shaking legs, I counted down to myself, and then bolted toward the bar. All I thought about was jumping, and pushing every atom in my body toward the sky. After landing on the pad, I shut my eyes and listened for the sound of the pole rattling to the ground. (Problem: needs to clear the bar.)
Back Story (It all started…)
As a teenage boy who had yet to pass five feet, most of my friends and even my parents tried to discourage me from picking the high jump as my main sport in track my freshman year of high school. (Inject how the problem made you feel) I never let on how much their negative comments stung, and always just laughed off their doubts and unwanted opinions. As someone with the nickname of “Shrimp,” I thought this was a chance to change my image.
Handling the Problem
Here you could talk about why joined you the team, how you weren’t very good at first, how you practiced in your backyard and rigged up your own vault, spent hours jumping, read all the tips, etc. You slowly got better, surprising coach and yourself. But how you never expected that one day the status of the team would depend upon your clearing a six-foot high jump.
What You Learned
I still feel lucky that I never nicked the pole on that day, and the bar stuck and we won the meet. It was my highest jump ever, and I’m not sure I will ever be able to repeat it. But that doesn’t matter. I learned more than just how to jump like a kangaroo during those years in track. I learned how I didn’t have to let others define who I was, and that if I set a goal, and found my own skills and strategy to meet it, I could be whomever I wanted.
Conclusion
(Bring reader up to present) I still love the high jump. There are now other guys who can jump higher than me. And I may never hit six feet in height. But I will always feel like a tall guy for other reasons. I know I can always rise above almost any challenge by drawing on my wits and determination …