Many parents worry when their children put off college essays until winter break. Your child is not alone! For many students, the pressure finally creates focus, and meaningful work can happen in a short window with the right guidance. What matters most at this stage isn’t perfection, but clarity, authenticity, and a plan that keeps stress manageable.
At LabMom Consulting, we work with families every year who find themselves in this exact moment. We know what admissions readers are looking for, and we know how to help students quickly identify their strongest stories, sharpen their voice, and submit essays they feel confident about. Below are some practical, last-minute tips to help your student make real progress during crunch time — without panic, burnout, or unnecessary conflict at home.
1. Read the prompt carefully.
Most weak essays miss what is really being asked. Circle the action words (reflect, describe, explain) and make sure every paragraph serves that goal. Ask a friend or family member to read your essay and then tell you the take-home messages they understood from each paragraph.
2. When choosing between prompts, like with the Common App, choose one that reduces overlap with school-specific essays.
Many schools will have additional short essay prompts with specific questions. It is important to look at these prompts before you write your main essay so that you can highlight different key points and use different examples in each essay.
3. Pick one clear story or idea.
Don’t cram your life story in. One specific moment, challenge, or insight beats a vague list of achievements every time.
4. Hook your reader with an interesting opening.
Start in the middle of an action, decision, or realization. Avoid generic hooks like quotes, definitions, or “Ever since I was young…”
5. Show growth, not just struggle.
Admissions readers care less about what happened and more about how it changed how you think or act. Highlight you took an active role in your growth.
6. Cut anything that sounds like a résumé.
If it could appear in your activities list, it doesn’t belong in the essay unless it reveals something personal or reflective. Your essay should be a narrative.
7. Use plain, honest language.
Clear beats fancy. Big words and dramatic phrases often sound forced. This is not where you should showcase your SAT vocab list.
8. This essay needs to be uniquely about you.
If someone else could submit this essay with minor edits, it’s too generic. Add your perspective, doubts, or decisions.
9. Read it out loud.
This instantly catches awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and tone problems.
10. Write a strong ending.
The last paragraph should land a takeaway: a value, habit, or way of thinking you will bring to college—not a summary.
If you or your student would like personalized support during crunch time, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sophie McCoy at LabMom Consulting. Sophie works one-on-one with students and families to review essays, clarify ideas, and build confidence, whether it’s a last-minute essay review or a road-mapping session to brainstorm and organize strong content. With years of experience in admissions interviewing, academic mentorship, and customized guidance, Sophie helps students identify their best stories and craft essays that genuinely reflect who they are. When deadlines are tight and the pressure feels high, a tailored session can make all the difference. Contact LabMom to set up a time to talk through ideas, get feedback, and finish strong.
