Custom Home Building Proposal Essays

Custom Home Building Proposal Essays Custom Home Building Proposal Essay Custom Home Building Proposal Essay Custom Home Building Proposal Scroll down to read the full sample. This sample was written using these Proposal Pack templates: Cover Letter, Title Page, Table of Contents, What You Can Expect, Cost Summary, Responsibilities, Personnel, Production Schedule, Permits and Licenses, Certifications, Subcontracts, Testimonials, Company History This sample proposal was created using Proposal Pack Construction #3. The purchase link below is for your convenience if you wish to purchase the graphic theme used to create this specific sample (no purchase is necessary to view the sample). You would purchase this graphic theme ONLY if you want to create a custom proposal with this samples graphic theme. To view the full sample scroll further down this page. Purchase and download Proposal Pack Construction #3 IMPORTANT NOTE: You can use any of the Proposal Pack design themes to create your proposal with different accent graphics than this sample uses. For example, you could use a different Proposal Pack style and recreate this sample with a different visual look. This sample is intended for use as a guide for you to get ideas on how to create your own proposal. Most proposals will start with a Cover Letter, Title Page, Executive or Client Summary and a Cost Summary or Estimate then will include additional material as needed. Read this article to help you create a winning proposal using your Proposal Pack and this sample: HOW TO WRITE A CONTRACTOR OR CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL Use the Proposal Pack editable templates to assemble your own framework and then fill in the blanks with the content, just as this sample was created from a Proposal Pack set of templates. Your proposal and quote could be just a couple pages long or over a hundred pages long depending on your needs, all created with one affordable Proposal Pack. PDF samples are not editable. You MUST buy a retail Proposal Pack for the editable templates. Jane and Sam Larkin PO Box 1023 Everett, WA 98201-1023 Dear Jane and Sam, Thank you for taking the time to meet with a representative from Watson Custom Homes. Based on the information he shared with me, I think our business would be a perfect fit for your needs. We’ve been building custom homes in Snohomish County since 1996, receiving multiple awards. The quality of our work is well-known. We don’t just build homes, we build dreams. And that’s our goal for you if you choose to work with us. We understand that you have already done your site evaluations and are on your way to obtaining a building permit for your property. We would like to point out that permit requirements are stringent in Snohomish County, and we would like to help coordinate with you so that you can obtain the necessary permits without delays. Based on the copy of the blueprints you provided, I have drawn up some documents for you, including a preliminary cost summary, a statement of the work we intend to perform if you hire us, and a timeline. Please do be aware, however, that building materials prices fluctuate rapidly and often, so we cannot guarantee final costs until the materials are purchased. Also, in consideration of the fact that you would like to use top-grade materials throughout the home, the initial building cost estimate comes in at $256. 00 per square foot, which is higher than the average Snohomish County price per square foot of $192. 0, but reflects the quality you have chosen. Please be wary of any estimates that come in at this average price or lower; it simply means that the builders will be using lesser-grade materials or taking shortcuts. On a final note, we will provide you with a contracted price after final materials are chosen and before the construction work begins. We believe you should get in to your home on budget and on time, and we will not surprise you with hidden labor charges. Once we sign the contract, the price we have set is what you will pay, making it easier for you to obtain the proper financing. Of course, if you would like to make changes beyond that point, we are happy to provide a â€Å"change order† which may slightly alter the final price of the home. Please do not hesitate to call with any questions you might have, either about our services or about the building process. We would love to help you build your dream home. Sincerely, Alan Watson Owner, General Contractor Watson Custom Homes 425. 388. 9926 office 425. 762. 4833 cell [emailprotected] com www. WatsonCustomHomes. com Watson Custom Homes th 543 NE 50 West Seattle, WA 98032 (PH) 425. 388. 9926 (FX) 425. 388. 9927 www. WatsonCustomHomes. com Custom Home Building for the Larkins Prepared for: Prepared by: Jane and Sam Larkin Alan Watson The Larkin family is planning on having a custom home built and has performed a preliminary site evaluation. Watson Custom Homes is experienced in building custom homes and will work with you on the entire process from site evaluation, planning, permitting and construction. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com Proposal Number: 54-49545 What You Can Expect Cost Summary Responsibilities Personnel Production Schedule Permits and Licenses Certifications Subcontracts Testimonials Company History †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 2 4 5 8 10 11 12 14 16 17 www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 1|Page We understand that building a home can be a daunting prospect. But set your mind at ease! At Watson Custom Homes, weve built hundreds of homes; we know what were doing. We are your partners and we share the same goal- to give you the home of your dreams. During your home construction project, you can expect the following from us. A Consistent Schedule Theres nothing more annoying than waiting for a crew to show up. Our crew is dedicated to your project and each person will arrive at the scheduled time. Work will stop each day as needed to obey all noise ordinances for your area. Open Communication The construction superintendent assigned to your project will be in constant communication with you, the client, giving you regular progress reports and consulting with you if any glitches should happen. The construction superintendent will also be in communication with your architect as needed, as well as with all inspectors and subcontractors. Proper Identification of Personnel Our employees have all passed thorough background checks. They must wear Watson Custom Homes tee shirts or sweatshirts when on the job, and they are required to produce company identification when requested. We insist that our subcontractors also follow these rules. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 2|Page Proper Handling of Construction Site Issues Lets face it, theres no way to build a house without some noise and dirt. But we will strive to keep both to a minimum. We obey all local noise ordinances. If runoff could be an issue, we use appropriate barriers to keep wastewater and mud out of the street and waterways. If dust might be an issue, we will spray areas with water to minimize airborne dirt. All hazardous chemicals will be handled according to federal and state regulations, and all chemicals will be locked into our storage container each evening. The crew will leave the jobsite as clean and secure as possible when wrapping up work each day. Please be aware that for sanitary purposes, we will need to place a portable toilet on your worksite, but we will strive to place it in an unobtrusive location while keeping it easily reachable for regular cleaning. Employees have been instructed to carpool when possible to keep parking issues at a minimum. When parking is restricted onsite, we will work to find alternative sites and shuttle employees to the jobsite. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 3|Page Site Development Costs Surveying and Grading Septic Water hook-up fee Electrical hook-up fees Total Site Development Costs: Permits Electrical Snohomish County PUD (Water Purveyor) Snohomish Health (Septic) Snohomish Planning and Development Building Permit County Access Final Inspection Total Permit Costs: Building Costs Final construction costs average of $256. 00 per square foot x 4,562 square feet using only top-grade materials Total Building Costs: Price $24,000. 00 $17,800. 00 $3,200. 00 $10,065. 00 $55,065. 00 $250. 00 $360. 00 $175. 00 $4562. 00 $40. 00 $950. 00 $6337. 00 $1,167,872. 00 $1,167,872. 00 TOTAL AMOUNT $1,229,274. 00 Standard Disclaimer: The numbers represented above are to be used as an estimate for the projects discussed. The above Cost Summary does in no way constitute a warranty of final price. Estimates are subject to change if project specifications are changed or costs for outsourced services change before being locked in by a binding contract. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 4|Page The following are the responsibilities and duties of the parties in the project. Completion of the total home building project requires the coordination and interaction of Watson Custom Homes, clients Jane and Sam Larkin, and various subcontractors. It is our understanding that Watson Custom Homes is responsible only for construction of the house and that the clients wish to contract with a separate site preparation company for the lot clearing and leveling, as well as a separate septic company for installation of septic field and lines, a landscaping company, and a painting company for final work after construction is complete. We understand the division of responsibilities to be as follows: Clients Jane and Sam Larkin: Obtain and make scheduled payments on a construction loan. Contract with a site preparation company to mark property boundaries, remove trees and other vegetation and level building site as needed. Contract with and schedule company for installation and inspection of septic tank and drain lines as specified in the blueprints. Maintain proper insurance and security on structure and building lot until construction is complete. Make all payments to Watson Custom Homes as scheduled in contract. Coordinate with all parties to apply for permits in a timely fashion. Purchase all appliances specified in blueprints and arrange for delivery in coordination with Watson Custom Homes. Contract with painting company to do final painting of interior and exterior walls and trim after home construction is complete. Contract with landscaping company to do final landscaping after home construction is complete. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 5|Page Watson Custom Homes: Complete all work necessary to build the house for Jane and Sam Larkin according to the blueprints, including foundation frame and pour, house framing and roofing, electrical, plumbing, appliance installation, trim work, and frame, pour, and finish driveway and sidewalks. Watson Custom Homes will hire, oversee, and pay subcontractors as needed to complete this work. Maintain a safe work site during construction and leave the site clean of debris (all debris to be kept in dumpster or other container) on exiting each evening. Arrange for, deliver, and maintain sanitary facilities for workers during the course of the project. A portable toilet and hand washing facilities will be placed on the site and maintained in a sanitary manner for the duration of the project. ) Obey local noise restrictions before 8 a. m. and after 6 p. m. Schedule workers and jobs efficiently to meet milestones as specified in the enclosed Production Schedule. Notify clients and subcontractors in a timely fashion if adjustments must be made to schedule or budget due to circumstances beyond the control of Watson Custom Homes. Coordinate with all parties to apply for permits and schedule inspections as efficiently as possible. Communicate regularly with clients to keep them informed of progress. Remove all debris and equipment from building site on completion of project. Site Preparation Company: Mark all property boundaries. Measure appropriate distances from property lines to level house site at least 10 feet beyond each exterior wall of house as indicated on blueprints. Keep homeowner clients informed of progress and site preparation completion date. Remove all equipment from property after site preparation is complete. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 6|Page Septic Company: Install septic tank and drain lines as specified in blueprints. Arrange for and finalize inspection of septic field. Cover septic tank and lines in a safe manner so that equipment and personnel may safely cross on top of them without damage. Mark septic tank and drain field to ensure that no structure will encroach on them. Clearly mark stubs for attachment by Watson Custom Homes personnel. Landscaping Company: After notification by Watson Custom Homes and clients that all construction is complete and inspections have been finalized, complete landscape work as directed by clients and architect. Painting Company: After notification by Watson Custom Homes and clients that all construction is complete and inspections have been finalized, complete painting work as directed by clients and architect. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 7|Page The following Watson Custom Homes personnel will be assigned to this project. Personnel have been selected based on their ability to work together as a team for your project. Bob Pearson – Construction Superintendent Bob has been with Watson Custom Homes for eight years, and has built 13 custom homes in that time. He has led teams of up to 21 people and is well known for his perfectionism. Prior to joining Watson Custom Homes, Bob was a construction superintendent with Tenside Developers. Bob Pearson has more than twenty years in the residential construction business, and holds a degree in Construction Management. Bob will be responsible for maintaining schedule and budget and seeing the project through the permit and inspection processes. Bob will inspect and sign off on all work done by subcontractors. Christine Reese – Master Carpenter Christine broke the gender barrier when she first became a carpenter more than 20 years ago, and she has been moving the bar of excellence higher ever since. Christine is an expert in all aspects of carpentry, from basic framing to fine woodwork. She is accustomed to supervising teams of up to eight carpenters. Prior to joining Watson Custom Homes, Christine was lead carpenter at Knowles Baker Homebuilders. Christine received her carpentry training at multiple institutions and on the job. Christine will oversee all carpentry work on the project. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 8|Page Jake Morsall Foreman Jake could build a house from scratch all by himself. And he has done just that on several occasions. Jake knows all aspects of home construction, from the concrete pour for the foundation to installing and finishing drywall. He has served as Foreman for us for nine years. Prior to joining Watson Custom Homes, Jake ran his own remodeling company, Morsall Remodels. Jake has received training in various specialties along the way, but most of his experience has been gained on the job. Jake will supervise all crews on the job site on a day-to-day basis. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 9|Page The following is our projected production schedule for the home based on your desired completion date of May 31. Proposal acceptance: December 1 Secure Financing: December 1 Building Permits: December 1 Review and Finalize Site and Construction Plans: December 3 Contracts, December 5 Construction Loan Settlement, 1st Installment, December 5 Site preparation complete: December 15 Foundation work complete: January 15 Rough Carpentry complete: March 1 HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical complete: March 12 Roofing, Exterior Finish and Insulation complete: April 1 Patio, Porch, Driveway, and Paving complete: April 13 Cabinetry complete: April 20 Drywall, Interior Finish and Trim complete: May 8 Flooring complete: May 11 Hardware Installation complete: May 14 Final Inspection: May 15 Use Occupancy Certificate: May 18 First Walkthrough: May 19 Landscaping complete: May 20 Cleaning, Final Punch-out, and Touch-up: May 25 Final Walkthrough: May 31 www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 10 | P a g e This project is legally required to obtain the following permits and to be performed by individuals licensed to complete the project. Permits Required: Permit #1 –On-Site Sewage Disposal System Permit Authority: Snohomish Health District, Sanitation Division The Sanitation Division must approve plans for new construction to ensure that water supply and waste disposal methods meet health code requirements. You will need to fill out a Health District Clearance Request form and submit, along with a copy of your plot plan. Permit #2 –Electrical Permit Authority: Washington State Department of Labor Industries You will need to obtain an electrical permit from L I prior to receiving your building permit from the County. Permit #3 – County Building Permit Authority: Snohomish County Planning and Development Services You will need to submit a copy of your Health District clearance, a copy of your electrical permit, 2 sets of structural blueprints, 1 copy of your site plan, a property location map and a water availability letter obtained from the water purveyor of the Snohomish County PUD. Permit #4 – County Access Permit Authority: Snohomish County Planning and Development Services You can submit this at the same time or prior to your building permit. You will need to request a permit to have access to your property off a county maintained road. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 11 | P a g e Watson Custom Homes is licensed, bonded, and certified to perform the work required of this project. Licensing Watson Custom Homes has been a licensed General Contractor with the state of Washington Department of Labor and Industries since 1996. Our Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number is 602055555. Bonding We maintain a $12,000 general bond with Contractors Technical Insurance Company of Washington. Insurance We maintain a $1 million contractor insurance policy with Contractors Technical Insurance Company of Washington. Professional Organizations We are members of the following professional builders organizations and subscribe to all codes of ethics and guidelines of these organizations: National Association of Home Builders Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties Building Industry Association of Washington www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 12 | P a g e Certifications Available for Your Home Clean Green Certificate Authority: Master Home Builders USA We are certified as a Green Builder company, and can complete your home to meet the national Clean Green standards. Energy Superstar Home Certificate Authority: National Association of Builders for Energy Efficiency Our construction supervisors and architectural advisors have all received energy efficiency training. If you are interested in incorporating solar energy or wind energy or passive solar construction into your home, we can advise you on how to meet the standards to earn the Energy Superstar Home Certificate. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 13 | P a g e Due to the nature of your homebuilding project, Watson Custom Homes will subcontract out portions of the project to the following experts. This will ensure an onschedule process and the highest quality of workmanship. You may see the following company names on equipment or uniformed personnel on your home site. We have worked with these trusted subcontractors for years. We will schedule, supervise, and pay for all their work. Jaxson Concrete This company has expertise in all areas of concrete construction. We will contract with them to frame, pour, and finish the house foundation, as well as the driveway and sidewalks. Jaxson Concrete has been in business for 10 years, and is headquartered in Lynnwood, WA. Superb Electrical Contractors Superb is one of the most experienced electrical contractors in our area. They are fast and efficient, and their work always passes inspection on the first try. Superb Electrical will be responsible for all electrical work, including attaching all fixtures to the interior and exterior of your home. Superb has been in business for 12 years, and is headquartered in Everett, WA. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 14 | P a g e Porterhouse Plumbers Porterhouse Plumbers is a family-owned business, and Max Porterhouses expertise in plumbing has been passed down to his two sons, three daughters, and six grandchildren. Porterhouse Plumbers will install all plumbing pipes and fixtures in your home and will ensure that water supply and septic systems are working efficiently. Porterhouse Plumbers has been in business for more than 30 years and is headquartered in Bothell, WA. Tyle Artistry As the blueprints call for a large amount of custom tile work, we choose to subcontract that to Tyle Artistry, which is well known for their work in fine homes throughout the greater Seattle area. Tyle Artistry has been in business for 6 years and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 15 | P a g e Watson Custom Homes has garnered much praise for quality home building. We’re proud to provide the best service, and our awards reflect that. In addition, we maintain several professional memberships Awards Best of Show, Northwest Home Builders Washington State Master Builder Association Builder of the Year Finalist Street of Dreams AGC Excellence in Construction Memberships Washington State Master Builder Association National Association of Home Builders Associated General Contractors of Washington State Testimonials Alan and his crew were right on in their planning and estimates. Some other builders wanted to charge us rates for materials + time, but we didn’t want to be responsible for the huge cost of labor delays. We got our custom dream home for the price he quoted and he did a great job. –Steve B. , Everett We began the process of custom home building with trepidation because of some serious problems we had with contractors in the past. However, we had heard of Watson Custom Homes good reputation, so we gave it a go. We’re really glad we chose to use them. They made this process as stress-free as possible. –John and Kate M. , Arlington After checking out about a dozen builders, we signed with Watson Custom Homes. Alan knew we were concerned about quality, and he even went so far as to arrange a tour of one of his previous homes for us. When we saw the amazing craftsmanship of his home, we knew right away he was the right builder. Now that we’re in our home, friends constantly comment on what a great job the builder did. Thanks, Alan! –Kyle and Amanda P. , Bothell www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 16 | P a g e About us – Watson Custom Homes builds fine homes in King, Snohomish, Skagit, and Island Counties. Our mission is to give discerning homeowners exactly what they want. We have built more than 400 custom homes. The average value of the homes we build is $1. 3 million dollars. We contract with only the finest subcontractors to complete your project. Watson Custom Homes was founded in 1996. We have a full-time staff of 16 office staff and construction superintendents. We employ other construction experts as needed, depending on our project schedule. During our busiest seasons, we employ up to 56 people. Watson Custom Homes is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For large projects, we also maintain temporary on-site offices and equipment storage in rented trailers. Services – Watson Custom Homes can handle a complete homebuilding project from site selection and preparation to final landscaping, or we can coordinate with other organizations to help build the home of your dreams. How to Contact Watson Custom Homes If you need to contact us for any reason, you can reach us at: Watson Custom Homes 543 NE 50th West Seattle, WA 98032 Phone: 425. 388. 9926 Fax: 425. 388. 9927 E-Mail: [emailprotected] com www. WatsonCustomHomes. com Client contact: Alan Watson Owner, General Contractor Watson Custom Homes 425. 388. 9926 office 425. 762. 4833 cell [emailprotected] com www. WatsonCustomHomes. com 17 | P a g e This sample proposal is included in the Proposal Pack and Proposal Kit Professional products. Sample proposals are included for illustration purposes to show how Proposal Packs can be used to create a wide variety of business proposals and other complex business documents. Proposal Pack templates and samples may not be distributed as-is or made publically available (including but not limited to posting online). For example, our sample proposals and stock editable templates may not be redistributed as-is. You can use these samples and templates to create your own unique proposals to send to your recipients. Make sure to read the full license agreement included with your Proposal Kit product if you have any questions about how the materials can and cannot be used. The license agreement is also available on our web site at: proposalkit. com/htm/license. htm All Proposal Kit materials are registered with the U. S. Copyright Office.

How to Write an Online College Admissions Essay

How to Write an Online College Admissions Essay Since most online colleges do not require face-to-face interviews, the admissions essay is the primary way administrators get to know applicants. You won’t be able to charm an interviewer with your witty banter or your knowledge of school history. Instead, you’ll need to make sure your personality shines through in your writing. How to Write YourAdmissions Essay that Wows Your Audience Analyze the question. Admissions officers are looking for something; you need to figure out what it is. Think of the admissions essay question as a puzzle waiting to be solved. Don’t take it for its face value – think a little deeper. A question such as â€Å"Who is your hero?† is probably a way for admissions officers to find out what the applicant values. If you say your hero is style icon Paris Hilton, you’d better be applying to a fashion school.Follow the instructions. Once you’ve figured out what the admissions officers are looking for, it’s time to write. Follow the instructions with exacting accuracy, even if that means stifling your creativity a bit. Many schools use the admissions essay to make sure students can understand and follow basic directions. If you’re asked to keep your essay under a certain word count, do it. An unfortunate number of applicants have been shocked to learn that admissions officers received only the f irst 500 words of their 1000-word essays. The applicants didn’t follow the instructions, and the admissions officers didn’t get the opportunity to read their brilliant concluding paragraphs. Let your personality shine through. One of the most common admissions office complaints is that college applications seem a little too staged. Admissions officials want to make sure that your application essay wasn’t written by your guidance counselor or a hired essay-writing service. Break away from the generic and share your lovable quirks. At the same time, remember that you don’t have to reveal everything. If a bit of your history casts you in a bad light, it’s better not to mention it.Emphasize your strengths. The application essay is the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your strengths and explain any blemishes on your record. Many colleges ask students to write a separate essay that explains what sets them apart from the crowd. If you have an assignment like that, don’t be shy. Describe your many talents in a confident, non-boastful manner. If you have blemishes on your academic record such as poor grades or an expulsion, now is the time to own up to these issues. Explain any extenuating circumstances (such as dropping out due to a family tragedy). If there is no good excuse, explain what you’ve learned from your mistakes and why you’ll never make them again. Even if you are not assigned an essay about your strengths, you can demonstrate your talents in just about any assignment. â€Å"Show† the reader what your strengths are by setting up a scene. For example: In an essay about a defining moment in your life, you may want to â€Å"show† the reader how you’ve demonstrated leadership under stress. Don’t brag about it; just set the scene. Edit your work. Once you’ve completed the application essay, let it set for a few days. Then, go back and edit your work. Taking a break will help you look at it with fresh eyes. Ask yourself: â€Å"Is there is anything I can change to make the essay more powerful?† Be sure to run spell check and analyze every sentence for grammatical mistakes. If your online school does not prohibit second party help, ask a former teacher or essay editing service for additional assistance. Writing a stellar college admissions essay takes time. By following these basic steps, you’ll be able to craft a piece to be proud of.