4/4 Stars for Conquering the college admissions essay in 10 steps by Alan Gelb! This is my favorite college essay book to date. Written by a writer, not a tutor or admissions officer, this book gives a lot of great tips on writing, and how to apply the tips to the college essay. Does your essay have the "extraordinary"? Does it have "tension and conflict"? Author Alan Gelb says it should. The author walks the reader through the 10 steps and gives examples throughout and at the end of the book. Eric says "Read this book"!