U.S. News has compiled several college essay examples that helped students ... "I care more about their stories than if it is a perfect five paragraph essay," David Graves, interim director ...

Here are five ways students can make their scholarship essays stand out ... on college admissions and essay writing. The following example from an "open topic" prompt shows this well, he says.

He saw more hyperorganized five-paragraph essays; more essays that were formatted as a letter to someone; and certain examples and words being used over and over again by different students.

It is important to plan before you start writing an essay. The essay question or title should provide a clear focus for your plan. Exploring this will help you make decisions about what points are ...