Pre-writing exercises, such as brainstorming and creating an outline, will help you organize your ideas. Begin with making a list of your strengths: academic achievements, athletic involvements, awards, employment or extracurricular activities. Once you have determined what your accomplishments, it is now time to focus more on how these events have shaped you and are testament to your personality and character. If you have a hard time coming up with a list, ask your family, friends, employers, and teachers to help identify your strengths. You will begin to notice a trend between your accomplishments and your character.
Your essay should focus on character specific traits. Attribute your accomplishments to a specific character trait instead of listing your accomplishments. For example, your may want to write about your high GPA. Give an anecdote that illustrates your dedication to academics, such as how you spend two hours a night repeating Calculus problems to make sure you understand the material. There is a fine line between highlighting your character and coming off as pompous; a proofreader other than yourself will be able to determine if you sound big-headed. This essay also gives you time to address and explain any smudges on your transcript or lows in your academic career such as illness, death in the family, taking too difficult of a course load etc.
Be mindful of your limitations and liberties. In 500-750 words, you must tell the admissions department why they should choose you and what you hope to accomplish by attending this institution. The essay is has two functions: 1) is it a chance for the committee to learn more about you, and 2) is it a sample to gauge potential capabilities. Write with purpose and do not ramble; think of the essay as a test to write within specific confines. If you cannot follow directions on an essay, this could translate to problems following directions in school.
After you have written your initial draft, put your essay out of sight and mind for at least 48 hours. This detachment will allow you will return to your essay with a fresh perspective and able to see changes that need to be made to your grammar, logic or narrative. Once you have corrected those mistakes, have someone you trust read your essay and give you feedback on content and style. Adjust your essay to your proofreader's comments. Make sure your wording as tightly focused as possible; remember, every word counts! Before submitting your essay, proofread your paper twice more aloud (no audience required).