In a school year that is already filled with deadlines, exit exams, SAT’s, college-prep coursework and social imperatives, one often-dreaded essay project casts a particularly long shadow over the highest-achieving students who are diligently competing for one of the relatively few spots in top-tier colleges like Harvard, Yale and Stanford. It is, of course, the writing of the 500-word personal essay that is required as part of the college admissions application.

These students must tackle the well-worn challenge of creating a unique, interesting, and revealing piece of literary craftsmanship that will impress admissions officers who are confronted with reading a towering stack of essays from similarly eager and talented applicants. Yet none of these hopeful students wants to end up frustrated and overwhelmed, finally ‘giving up the ghost’ and settling for bland, predictable accounts of the pertinent events of their interests, accomplishments and aspirations.

Concerned parents, tired of watching helplessly on the sidelines, often turn to online and onsite bookstores. Here, they purchase the latest newly-revised, must-have, highly-recommended compilations of hints, steps and methods to inspire and kick-start their mentally stranded students into a success-oriented, creative mindset. Or at least that is how it is for some households.

Others have discovered the booming cottage industry of private college-admissions coaches and essay-editing services. Parents who are able to spend the extra money can turn their son or daughter’s angst over to one of these professional consultants and relax in the knowledge that the college application bases are covered. Those who cannot afford to utilize one of these writing services may be able to access similar aid from the student’s English teacher or guidance counselor. And the same Internet web sites that offer reputable essay-writing assistance often provide an array of free articles, tips and suggestions.

Reputable college-admissions consultants do not write the student’s essay for them; but they do provide helpful grammar editing, along with suggestions on how to improve the overall tone and content of this crucial document. Students are encouraged to find their own voice in the writing of the essay. In this way, college officials should be able to gain an overall sense of who the applicant is, allowing them to effectively judge whether the potential enrollee is the best fit for their educational institution.

No student should spend any of their valuable time worrying about how to write their personal essay in today’s world of information overload. Essay help is plentiful, easily available and an effective alternative for all college-bound students.