The college essay is one of the most important parts of a college application. College admissions people want to know about activities your child is interested in outside of the classroom. They also want to see how she is able to describe these activities and why they're important to her. The essay should reveal who your child is, what she has done in her life, what she's passionate about, and what her hopes and aspirations are. Here are just a few topics to consider:

• Volunteer activities
  Has your child helped an elderly person? Volunteered at an animal shelter? Worked for a homeless shelter?
• Leadership
  Has your child served as a student officer in school? Led the church youth choir? Been elected captain of the football team or as a student representative for a community organization?
• Work experience
  Does your child work a paper route? Babysit? Help out at a family business?
• Family responsibilities
  Has your child met particular challenges at home? Was she responsible for a person in your home?
• Arts
  Does your child excel at drama? Did he win an award for his painting? Does she play in the school band?

These extracurricular activities are also important opportunities for your child to form relationships with adults who can write letters of recommendation, which is another college application requirement. There are different types of college essays. Some college essays will focus on your child's self-awareness, or what her hopes and aspirations are. Some colleges will primarily look at your child's writing ability. Other schools will ask short questions instead of a full-length essay. Some schools will ask students to send in a writing sample from their schoolwork, so help your child select a paper that received at least a B+. A short essay about a poem, an interesting history paper, or even a paper about a lab experiment are good choices.

Parent Action Items:

• Encourage your child to express his feelings early and throughout high school and to write about her hopes and aspirations.
• Encourage her to become involved in activities that interest her as early as middle school. When your child finds something he enjoys, encourage him to stick with it and to take on more responsibility over time. Activities outside of school will give your child great subjects for the college essay, broaden her life experience, and help her choose a future career. 

Learn more about college essays at www.collegeboard.com