The essential guide to writing a winning college admissions essay, from America’s favorite writing coach. Most high school students never have received any instruction in how to write a personal essay. Yet at a time when getting admitted to their dream college is more competitive than ever, the admissions essay may turn out to be the single most important thing they will ever write. The stakes are high. In Writing Tools for the College Essay, veteran journalist and writing coach Roy Peter Clark shows how any student can showcase their unique achievements, intellect, and attributes to stand out from the crowd. Packed with nearly two dozen remarkable essay examples and 100 digestible essay writing tips that students can carry with them throughout their careers, this is the essential guide every high school student, parent, and teacher needs. Readers will learn: How to select your writing prompt The key elements of a compelling story How to master the art of the riveting detail What it means to write with an authentic voice How to “grab readers by the throat” The power of reading one’s work aloud The rules of honest writing (including whether to use AI tools) Tips for revising (and re-revising) your masterpiece and much more