You can anticipate a lot of schools having the same sort of essay question(s). Thus, you don't have to start from scratch each and everytime. While it is important to tailor each essay to the school so as to include information about their specific program, you can recycle a lot of material in your essays. After all, it's not like you have to come up with a unique reason why you chose dentistry, etc. to list on each secondary application.
Develop a good essay and modify it to fit each application if you come across a lot of similar questions. You'll probably come across some questions that are very specific, and those will take time to formulate a response from scratch. I suppose a person needs to approach the process with a certain degree of commitment in order to get those secondaries back to their respective schools. Make a goal of writing and editing so much everyday. That's what I have done as I too am feeling a little overwhelmed with "please submit a one page essay.." on virtually every secondary I have received.
