In the college admissions process, students will submit a personal statement to all the colleges you apply to. This is located in the Writing section of the Common Application, and it allows you to choose from a variety of prompts. In addition, some universities require supplementary essays as a part of their process, so please make sure you complete those even if some are optional, but in the most part these supplements are required. The essay process is a personal one, so please be gentle with yourself while completing multiple drafts of your essays. This is most likely the first time in which you are reflecting on your life in a particular assignment, so please view this process as a personal journey of contemplation. College essays are the only part of the application process in which you have full reign of how the admission officers will view you as a prospective applicants, so please do not undervalue these pieces. Take your time with these essays, and make sure it reflects the qualities and experiences you deem representative of you as an individual as of right now.