Guide to College Application Essays
Why the Personal Essay Matters
Your college essay involves much more than just rattling off a list of your achievements. It brings your application to life, giving schools a glimpse into your character and perspectives on the world outside the classroom. Colleges look for essays that authentically represent your values, demonstrate personal growth, and reflect a clear understanding of your goals. They want to know about your journey, the challenges you have faced, and how you've overcome them. Colleges want to get to know the real you, so let your personality shine!
A standout essay should clearly express that you can think critically and communicate effectively. Above all, it should reflect your eagerness to learn and be part of the academic community at the college you're applying to. It's your chance to let them see your passion for learning and how you want to make a positive impact during your college years and beyond.
Start Your College Application Essay Early
Start mapping out your college application essays in the spring of your junior year of high school or during the summer before your senior year. This will give you enough time to consider various topics and carefully brainstorm ideas for your writing.
Besides a primary essay, some colleges may ask for supplemental essays or additional writing samples. These are meant to give a deeper look into who you are. They might ask how you connect with the college's values or culture. Be sure to check each college's application requirements carefully so you have enough time to thoughtfully address any of these extra essays.
How Long Should a Personal Essay Be?
The length of a personal essay will vary depending on the type of application you're completing. Some schools use their own applications, which typically provide a prompt and guidance on how best to meet the essay requirements. Other colleges accept the Common App with standardized essay prompts, simplifying the process through a central application system.
When it comes to writing essays, it’s more about the quality of your work than meeting a specific word count. Think about who will read your essay and the main points you want them to understand. Often, a shorter, well-written essay that sticks to the guidelines can be more powerful than a longer one. Make sure every word in your essay adds something important to your story!
Tips on How To Start Your Personal Essay
Starting your college application essay involves thoughtful reflection and planning. Take some time to think about your experiences, what you value, and what you hope to achieve in the future. Read on to find key personal essay tips for creating a meaningful story that's not only true to who you are, but also connects with the people reading your application.
Below are steps to begin developing an outline:
1. Decide on an Essay Topic
Colleges will usually give you a choice of different prompts for your personal essay. This lets you pick a topic that truly speaks to you. Your essay doesn't have to be about a grand achievement or a major life event. It can be about simple things like your hobbies, your strengths, or the struggles you’ve overcome. Look through the different prompts to find one that fits your story the best and allows you to show who you are outside of what admissions officers may see on your transcripts.
If you're not sure how to begin, look through some online essay examples from the college. These examples can illustrate the qualities of a good essay, such as the voice and tone, structure, and even topics. Just remember to use these examples for inspiration only, not to copy them, so you don't accidentally plagiarize.
2. Create an Outline
Creating a carefully planned outline can improve your essay-writing process. It acts like a roadmap, helping you organize your thoughts before committing them to the page.
- Take the prompt (the question asked) of each essay and break down its parts.
- Think about why an admissions official would ask this and what they are hoping to learn about you that makes you a good fit for their institution.
- Brainstorm personal stories or experiences that illustrate your answers.
- In bullet-point format, organize your thesis and your experiences into a clear beginning, middle, and end.
1. Don’t Repeat What’s in Your Transcript
Think of your application essay as an in-person interview.
As you write your essay, imagine you’re sitting in the room with the admissions official. You’ve given this person your transcript and resume. The question he or she keeps asking you is, “What else should I know?”
Keep this question in mind as you are forming your essay. How could you expand upon the information presented in the other parts of the application or bring to light new facts and traits about yourself?
2. Catch the Reader’s Attention
When it comes to college admissions, officials read countless essays. It's important to grab the reader's attention right from the start. How you begin your essay makes the first impression, and a strong opening can make your essay stand out. An engaging opening sets the tone for an unforgettable and impactful essay.
3. Be Yourself
Admissions officers value sincerity and want to see a true reflection of who you are — your voice, your experiences, and your views. When your writing is genuine, it creates a personal connection with the reader, highlighting what makes you unique and leaving a strong impression.
Admissions committees are trying to get to know the real you through your application. It's not about showing a flawless version of yourself or what they see on your transcript. it's about sharing real stories and experiences that show how you've grown and overcome challenges.
4. Answer the Prompt
A powerful essay answers the prompt directly and sticks to the topic. Admissions teams use these prompts to learn specific things about you, including facets of your character, experiences you've had, or what you hope to achieve. By staying on topic, you make sure your essay clearly covers what the college wants to know, helping them see how you fit into their academic community. If you wander off-topic, your reader might not get a clear picture of what you're trying to say. So, focus on the prompt to tell a clear and meaningful story.
Refining Your Essay
Before you submit your essay, thoroughly read it over to see if it's clear, makes sense, and gets your point across. Your essay should look polished and professional. Check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It also helps to have someone you trust to provide honest feedback.
1. Read Your Essay Out Loud
Proofreading your essay by reading it aloud is an effective way to review what you've written. Hearing your words can highlight clarity or flow issues you might not catch when reading silently. This helps to ensure your writing is coherent and easy to understand. It also helps you notice grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or typos. When you read aloud, you're more likely to notice mistakes that your eyes might otherwise skim over.
2. Have a Few People Review Your Essay
As you're working through your essay drafts, it can be helpful to have someone you trust — like a parent, counselor, or teacher — take a look at them. They can help spot grammar or spelling errors and provide a second pair of eyes. Try to keep the number of people who review your essay to just a few; having too many opinions can make your own voice get lost.
Another suggestion is to upload your essay prompt to an AI platform, like Bard or ChatGPT. You can request feedback on certain areas, ask for suggestions, or even have it provide grammatical touch-ups. Be sure to write your essay first before using AI services; don't use these services to craft your essay from scratch. College admissions officials are very savvy to plagiarism, AI, and non-original writing.
It's important to keep your own voice in your essay, even when you're making changes based on feedback. While advice from teachers or friends can be helpful, any changes made should still sound like you. When you're looking at suggestions, focus on those that make your essay clearer and more organized, but still keep the real, authentic you shining through.
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A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing the Best College Essays
Our partners at Collegewise are experts in guiding students and their families through the college application process. With their “Step-By-Step Guide to Writing the Best College Essays” resource, you can take your application essays to the next level and stand out to admission officers.
Check Out More College Preparation Resources
In crafting your college application essays, remember that your words are a reflection of your world and your experiences. The goal is to give colleges a peek behind the curtain, revealing your story, aspirations, and character. Give them a glimpse of the person they’ll find beyond grades, clubs, and transcripts. For more insights, explore college planning resources available to help you stay on top of your college applications and deadlines.