We get a lot of questions from pros like you regarding every type of college essay in just about every scenario.

Here’s a topic that comes up every year. A pro wrote a question in one of our paid forums that is such a familiar situation for all of us, we wanted to share it with you.

Is there a Wow resource for how to review and assess an English class essay? I have a student who just sent me hers, and I’m trying to figure out how to assess it. I’m asking myself the following:

• What happened?
• Why does it matter?
• What characteristics does the essay illustrate?

The essay definitely sounds like the student, but I’m not quite sure it says anything other than “I enjoy the little things in life.”

I will ask her if that’s what she wants the admissions people to know about her.

Is there anything else to help guide me?

Our answer: Great question, and one we all face. We can make it even easier for you. You don’t have to do any of that. Instead, teach the student to do it.

Here’s what we do, which is something you can do with your students as well:

First and foremost, say something nice about the essay. Anything true is fine (e.g., You’re a strong writer… It sounds like you really took on a tough situation … After reading this, I’d love to meet your grandfather. He sounds amazing…)

After that, switch to teaching mode. Keep in mind that at Wow, we consider the Common App personal statement to be the teaching essay. Why? The student learns how to write essays overall, and we learn how to work with the student on essays by paying close attention to their willingness and ability. 

That’s key. Is the student willing to do the work, follow the instructions, meet the deadlines, put forth some effort? And is the student able to do it? It’s always a balancing act.

We also tell students we will decide together what to do with the essay they’ve already written, but first, we need to make sure they’ve got the basics down before we move forward.

Then we have them complete three prework exercises from our ten-step process: the Introduction (Morning Writing), Step 1 (Understand the Prompt), and Step 2 (Brainstorm Ideas), just like any other of our students. We ask them to be sure to use their English class essay for at least one of the Step 2 ideas.

When we meet to brainstorm with the student, one of three things will probably happen. The student will either:

• Recognize that the essay they wrote doesn’t really work. It was a nice English class essay, but it’s not an effective personal statement.
• Recognize that the essay could work, but it needs more focus (probably more “why does it matter”)
• Find another topic as a result of completing the activities you assigned.

Then you move on, as you would with any other student.

Whether you follow our ten steps exactly as we do or use them as a guide for your own process, you can do this too. Putting the student in the driver’s seat means much less stress for you and encourages learning and independence in your students.

What could be better?

I encourage you to use this colorful graphic with all ten steps with your students too. It will keep you (and them) on track all season long.

Kim Lifton is President of Wow Writing Workshop. You can reach her at kim@wowwritingworkshop.com