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Nobody knows writer’s block like a high school senior.

When it’s Personal Essay Season, days are set aside, coffee mugs are filled up; blood, sweat, and tears pour forth:

Still, the Word document remains blank.

Yes, the symptoms of writer’s block are worse than swine flu -- and imaginably so: writing about yourself is…hard. But not impossible.

Nobody knows writer’s block like a high school senior.

When it’s Personal Essay Season, days are set aside, coffee mugs are filled up; blood, sweat, and tears pour forth:

Still, the Word document remains blank.

Yes, the symptoms of writer’s block are worse than swine flu -- and imaginably so: writing about yourself is…hard. But not impossible.

The key is to relate a true, personal experience, and convey a capacity for deep introspection.

In other words, you need to sell yourself, without sounding like a used car salesman.

Luckily, the Common App points you in the right direction.  Six essay questions are presented to you: as your make your selection (and crumple your fiftieth piece of computer paper), read the following advice. These tidbits will guide your writing, and help you develop an edge, without falling over.

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

“Evaluate” and “Impact” are important words to consider in this option.

 To evaluate is to fully examine the pros, cons, and side effects of a situation—so stating that you won the national math award because you are a calculus pro is not enough. Describe obstacles, difficulties, and hardships that you had to confront in the process.

Now think about the impact. But before you start writing a tale of triumph (ie, I worked really hard, and finally got an A in History), remember this: you are a fallible human being. So an essay that only discusses how great you are is shallow and unrealistic. Make sure to describe a shortcoming or defeat of yours, in a meaningful way. This will make your essay more interesting and rounded. Think fully and deeply–has the experience changed you in any fundamental way? For better or for worse?

Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

This option is great, because it allows you to get involved. Think about what moves you – are you eco-friendly? Do you support the International Monetary Fund? Would you pour a bucket of fake blood on a celeb in a fur coat?

Admission departments love it when students convey their unique perspectives. Discussing a worldly concern can show that you are keen, well informed, and thoughtful.

But remember: there is a thin line between passion and zeal. You need to show that you have insight, not bubbling anger.

Tact and moderation are essential to an effective response, because they show intelligence. A student who rants comes across as narrow minded, and hot-headed.

 An essay of this nature must be thorough and considerate. So do not write a manifesto. Save that for your Political Science class.

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

This topic is more complex than it seems.

The typical approach is to describe a role model – a teacher, a parent, a friend. Even if you truly admire a certain person in your life, keep in mind that an essay like this often turns out to be a word-string of compliments: I look up to my friend Lisa because she is smart, friendly, generous, has great red hair…the list goes on.

Clearly, this essay is surface-level, and boring.

So you need to spice things up.

The person you choose to discuss needs to have merits – and flaws. How have you dealt with this multifaceted person? What does your relationship with this individual entail? The influence they may have had on you could be positive or negative, maybe a combination of both. Analyze this in greater detail – ultimately, what can you draw from the experience of knowing (and being affected by) this person?

Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

This option is fun, because it allows you to express creativity.

Students pursuing the humanities – history, English, etc. are usually drawn to this subject. But don’t be put off if you are a math or engineering type. Admission departments are impressed by students who move fluidly within varied disciplines.

So if you are a scientist deeply affected by Jackson Pollock’s abstract art – do write about it.

More importantly, remember this: regardless of your background, a solid response will require you to describe a unique and less obvious character.

Has Einstein’s physics revolutionized you? Does Mother Teresa inspire you to become a humanitarian?

Even if you are nodding yes, do not write about these people. Admission departments already know how great they are, and what kind of influence they may have on you.

The advice in the option above also applies here: the character’s influence on you could be positive, negative, or even better – both.

A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

This essay choice is open-ended, and rightfully so.

Ultimately, every student is an individual with a unique background and set of values. So do use your essay as a platform to represent yourself.

International students often select this option. If you have lived in many countries, and have been influenced by them, this is a good way to go. But when you describe your experiences abroad, make sure they say something about YOU. A summary of your time in Egypt is not useful if it simply relates the pyramids and museums you visited there.

You can also choose to discuss your race, sexual orientation, or gender. Themes of this nature tend to make controversial essays – and that’s fine, so long as your response is intelligent. Regardless of your personal situation, remember to stay politically correct. Tolerance and acceptance on your part will win you brownie points.

Topic of your choice.

And if none of these options appeal to you, don’t worry. Technically, you can write about anything.

Regardless of what you write about, remember to say something valuable about you and your mind. Admission departments should gain a sense of who you are through your writing.

This experience can be terrifying, but also empowering – use it to your advantage.