Hi Flying Chip,
I very much agree with Junior Jetset with regards to Cockpit Resource Management. For essays, try to orientate your scenario to depict how you have demonstrated good interpersonal qualities and working alongside a more authoritative figure. The scenario can be absolutely anything and doesn't necessarily have to be aviation related.
Because of the thousands of essays the selection team must go through, try to make your essays as interesting as possible to read. Something different. Something to 'indulge' in.
Emphasise on areas in your scenario where you have demonstrated CRM and how you feel that applies to a cockpit situation.
Finally, something I've bared in mind in any application that has word limits, aim to use all of it: there's a reason why they ask you for 200, 300 or 500 words: that in itself is a test of how well you can condensate important information into a stringent word count.
P.S. Has anyone received new bookable dates for Phase 2? My page is still blank!