The big picture -- The four building blocks of a common app essay -- Three sample essays and analysis -- How to find your topic -- Outlining your essay -- It's all in the details -- A step-by-step guide to writing your common app essay -- Those darned supplementals -- Appendix A: Two sample essays of each archetype -- Appendix B: Another unique point of view -- Appendix C: Same topic, different result -- Appendix D: Art school -- Appendix E: Think outside another box -- Appendix F: When your story is bigger than a single moment -- Appendix G: The evolution of an essay -- Appendix H: Where'd they land?