Learn how to write a standout college application essay using Christine Gacharná’s proven and trademarked method: communicate, navigate, and punctuate. Expert college essay tips from ESSAY CURE.
Writing a college application essay can feel intimidating for many students. Between strict prompts, looming deadlines, and the pressure of college admissions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before the first sentence is even written.
But according to Christine Gacharná, founder of ESSAY CURE and author of RIGHT My College Application Essay, the process becomes far more manageable when students follow a clear method.
In a 2023 interview on the Fully Booked podcast, Gacharná shared practical strategies for writing strong college essays. Drawing on her experience as a former English and writing instructor, she breaks the process into three essential steps: communicate, navigate, and punctuate.
If you’re wondering how to write a college application essay that stands out, her advice offers a simple and effective framework.
The Three-Step Method for Writing a College Application Essay
Many students begin writing their essays by obsessing over grammar and punctuation. According to Gacharná, this approach actually makes writing harder.
Instead, she teaches students to follow a three-step writing process.
1. Communicate: Focus on What You Want to Say
The first step in writing a strong college admissions essay is identifying the core message.
Students often approach the essay with anxiety and perfectionism. They worry about grammar or formatting before they’ve even figured out what they want to communicate.
Gacharná encourages students to shift their focus:
“Students come to me white-knuckling through the writing process. They’re not spending enough time thinking about what it is they’re trying to say.”
Her advice is simple: start with ideas, not edits.
When students concentrate on communicating their message first, the essay becomes more authentic and meaningful.
2. Navigate: Organize Your Story
Once the message is clear, the next step is structuring the essay so the story flows logically.
This is where free writing plays an important role. Free writing allows students to explore their experiences and ideas without worrying about structure or correctness.
According to Gacharná, many of the strongest essays start this way.
“The best essays I’ve read were all a diamond in the rough that was mined in the free-writing process.”
Free writing often reveals the personal insights and experiences that admissions officers want to see.
3. Punctuate: Edit and Polish Last
Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are important—but they should be the final step, not the first.
Gacharná uses a memorable analogy to explain why editing too early is counterproductive:
“Paying attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation on the front end is like putting toothpaste on your toothbrush, taking a bite of cheesecake, and then brushing your teeth with the cheesecake still in your mouth.”
In other words, editing before your ideas are clear slows the writing process and disrupts creativity.
The #1 College Essay Mistake Students Make
When asked about the most common mistake students make in their college application essays, Gacharná didn’t hesitate.
Students often fail to answer the prompt.
It may sound obvious, but many essays wander away from the question or focus too broadly.
Her solution is straightforward:
“Tell me in one sentence what you’re trying to say. What is your answer to the prompt?”
If a student cannot clearly summarize their main idea, the essay likely needs more focus.
Why Free Writing Is the Secret to a Great Essay
Many students skip brainstorming and jump straight into drafting their essay. Unfortunately, this often leads to essays that feel generic or unfocused.
Gacharná emphasizes that free writing is one of the most important parts of the essay process.
During this stage, students write freely about their experiences, values, and goals without worrying about structure or grammar. This exploration helps uncover authentic ideas that make essays memorable.
According to Gacharná:
“Most students want to go straight to a rough draft, but it’s the free writing that draws out who they are.”
In fact, she estimates that about 50% of the work of writing a great essay happens during the early brainstorming stages.
Don’t Obsess Over Your “Dream School”
Another common source of stress for students is the pressure to get into a specific college.
Gacharná encourages students to approach the admissions process with perspective.
“There are a thousand ways to get through college and a thousand colleges out there.”
Students often feel their self-worth is tied to the brand name of the school they attend. In reality, success in college depends far more on effort, curiosity, and engagement than on a school’s ranking.
The Most Important Takeaway for Students
If Gacharná could leave students with one piece of advice, it would be this:
Don’t skip the free-writing stage.
The best college application essays often begin as rough ideas discovered through exploration. Once those ideas are uncovered, the rest of the writing process becomes much easier.
Get Help Writing Your College Application Essay
If you’re preparing your college application essay and want expert guidance, ESSAYCURE provides tools and support to help students craft thoughtful, compelling essays.
Christine Gacharná’s workbook, RIGHT My College Application Essay, offers step-by-step guidance through the writing process—from brainstorming and free writing to editing and polishing. Kirkus reviews called it: “A straightforward guide that makes use of the author’s extensive experience.”
The book is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers.
