Part I: Putting Yourself on Paper.

Chapter 1: Becoming More Than a Statistic: What the Essay Does for You.

Chapter 2: Exploring the Subject of the Essay — Yourself.

Chapter 3: Writing for the Tired, the Poor (The Admissions Office).

Chapter 4: Keeping It Legal.

Part II: Getting Your Head Ready for Writing.

Chapter 5: Writing as Process, Not Product.

Chapter 6: Storming Your Brain: Idea Gathering Techniques.

Chapter 7: Building a Structure to Support Your Ideas.

Chapter 8: Putting It All In Order: Creating an Outline.

Part III: Writing the Rough Draft.

Chapter 9: Showing, Not Telling Your Story.

Chapter 10: Constructing Good Paragraphs.

Chapter 11: Leading with Your Best Shot.

Chapter 12: Going Out with a Bang: The Conclusion.

Chapter 13: Overcoming Writer’s Block.

Part IV: I’d Like to Finish before Retirement Age: The Final Draft.

Chapter 14: Making a List and Checking It Twice: Grammar and Spelling.

Chapter 15: Smoothing the Rough Edges: Polishing the Essay.

Chapter 16: Leaving a Good Impression.

Chapter 17: Final Answers: The Last Word on Format.

Part V: Analyzing Questions from Real Applications.

Chapter 18: Composing Essays Starring You.

Chapter 19: Describing Significant Strangers and Friends: Essays About Other People.

Chapter 20: Responding to Essay Questions in the Subject Areas.

Chapter 21: Getting the Most Out of Short Answers.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 22: Ten Myths About the College Essay.

Chapter 23: Ten Great Essays to Inspire You.

Chapter 24: Ten Absolute Musts for College Essays.

Appendix: Personal Inventory.

Index.