Based on the idea that to beat the competition and impress college admissions officers a student must write a first-rate college application, this guide provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for applications that get results. The guide contains worksheets, checklists, and examples that will help the student in the admissions process. Chapters in the book are, as follows: (1) Writing College Applications: What It's All About; (2) Getting Organized; (3) Understanding the Questions; (4) Taking a Personal Inventory; (5) Selecting Your Topic and a Persuasive Approach; (6) Crystalizing Your Ideas for Your Long and Short Essay Questions; (7) Structuring Your Essay for Busy Readers; (8) Beginnings and Endings Can Make a Difference; (9) How to Keep Your Reader Reading; (10) Overcoming Fear of the Blank Page; (11) From Rough Draft to Finished Product; and (12) Recycling Your Essays. Appendixes presnt an analysis of three "good" essays and a sample application, filled in by hand and including a sample essay. (NKA)