‘Valedictorians at the Gate:’ How to Write a Winning Personal Essay (opens in new tab)

After the recommendations have been requested, after the testing has been completed, after one has purchased a blue and orange Go Hornets mug at the Kalamazoo bookstore, it’s time to sit down with one’s thoughts. It’s time to consider one’s biggest “challenge, setback, or failure. ” Alas, the ol’ personal failure question is usually one of the many Common Application prompts.