Read through the directions for the essay carefully. When writing an essay for any reason, such as admittance to college or a class assignment after getting into college, look over the directions. "Autobiographical" can include several areas, and the essay directions might have more focused requirements, such as telling about something that influenced you or what makes you different from others. Thoroughly read through the requirements of the essay and review important information like the appropriate word count to the font size.
Jot down a few different areas of your life that might suit the essay. For example, you might write about the influence of a teacher that helped you develop a talent, or you could cover influences in your life that changed your view of something. Put a few ideas on paper and then go through them to determine which topic is the best to fit the requirements of the essay and your preferred theme.
Write down more ideas that support the previously decided theme. For example, if your theme relates to teachers who helped you find your talent and work on it, you might use three different teachers and short stories about how they helped you as the supporting ideas for the essay.
Make a outline that fits the requirements of the essay, such as writing in chronological order, and supporting your theme. The outline is the basic structural form of the essay.
Write out a rough draft with an introduction and thesis, at least two or three supporting paragraphs and a conclusion that wraps up and summarizes the content. Your structure should be ordered chronologically and use personal tales to tell why you are different and what makes you interesting.