When it comes to writing your college essay (or personal statement), it doesn’t matter whether you aced your SAT or failed your Algebra II class. Admissions committees are looking beyond your test scores and grades to truly understand who you are and what you can bring to their institution. 🌟
Since high school grades and test scores don’t tell the whole story, a great personal statement could be your ticket to the school of your dreams.
Now, the question is: how do I write an unforgettable essay that will impress admissions? 🤔
What Colleges Want to See in Your Essay
Your college essay should stand out to ensure that admissions officers remember you, even after reading through thousands of applications. Show the colleges who you really are — your personality, motivation, and why you’re the perfect fit. 🌟
Share moments that reveal your love for learning and your go-getter attitude. Let them know your thoughts on your desired major, and highlight how you’ve made a difference in clubs, groups, internship programs, or other activities. 🎓
But here’s the exciting part: you should use your essay to let your unique voice and creativity shine. Turn your opinions and beliefs into a strong, well-written message. Grab the reader’s attention with your originality and depth. 📝
Step-by-Step: How to Write Your College Essay
Writing a good college essay comes with a lot of pressure. You have to choose a suitable topic, navigate the limited word count, and make sure there are no grammatical errors. On top of that, you’ll probably need to write more than one piece. ✍️
But there’s no need to panic — we’ve broken down the whole writing process into 10 simple steps.
1. Read All of the Instructions
Before you begin writing, make sure you carefully read the essay instructions. It’s essential to follow them closely because not doing so could make a poor impression on the admissions committee, and they might not even read your essay.
College essay instructions typically mention the word or page count and provide a writing prompt. Once you’re sure you understand what is being asked of you, start thinking of a topic that fits well. 💡
Take a look at the writing prompts released by Common App to give you an idea of what to expect:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that’s so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
2. Brainstorm Your College Essay Topic
Your topic is the most fundamental element of your college essay, but figuring out what to write about can be tricky. To narrow down your choices, align the essay topic with your unique experiences, values, or a transformative moment in your life. ✨
This targeted approach ensures that your essay not only stands out but also authentically represents who you are in the eyes of college admissions. Look back on your experiences and find a moment that really shows off your character. It could be an exciting adventure, a personal win, or a tough challenge you conquered.
Do you have any standout talents, like being a great painter, a skilled soccer player, or a talented pianist? Sharing your talents also shows how dedicated and passionate you are. 🎨
If the prompt wants you to talk about challenging beliefs, share a time you went against the norm. Perhaps you spoke out against an injustice, took a stance on a controversial issue, or challenged societal expectations. For instance, you might share a story about standing up to a bully for a friend. Or alternatively, you could explore an experience that pushed you to defy conventional beliefs. 💭
TIP: Ask your parents, friends, or teachers what they find most admirable or interesting about you. It can even be a memory or a lesson they learned from spending time with you.
3. Create Your Outline
Once you know what you want to write about, create an outline. A good structure will give your story a solid beginning, middle, and end. 📝
For starters, think about the main point or thesis of your piece. If you follow our prompts above, an example of a main idea could be the importance of mental health in the pursuit of academic excellence. Then visualize the relationships between your arguments and determine the order of ideas that tells the story in the clearest, most effective manner.
Here’s a basic breakdown of what your outline will need.
- Introduction:
- Open with an attention-grabbing line.
- Give a brief overview of the essay.
- End with your thesis statement.
- Body
- Present the main points — usually two or three ideas, each with its own paragraph.
- Give relevant examples and details for each point.
- Conclusion
- Echo your thesis statement.
- Summarize your main points.
- End with a strong, memorable line.
Sound familiar? That’s because the structure for your college essay is no different from the essays you’ve been writing in your high school English classes. With a great outline in place, all that’s left is to fill in the gaps and polish your message to perfection. 🧑💻
4. Hook Your Readers with a Compelling Introduction
To write an outstanding college essay, you’ve got to nail your opening statement. Capture your reader’s attention from the start, as it sets the tone for the entire essay. 👀
A distinctive opening sentence, whether it’s an anecdote, quote, or thought-provoking question related to your topic, can ignite your reader’s curiosity and maintain their interest.
Play around with making your opening hook witty, intriguing, memorable, or unconventional, but don’t get too stuck on writing your introduction.
TIP: If the introduction doesn’t come to you right away, move on, and return to it later with a fresh perspective. 😉
5. Support Your Ideas With Examples
Make your essay more credible by supporting your claims or ideas with specific details and examples. Instead of just stating facts, share experiences that illustrate your points.
For example, if you’re talking about thriving under pressure, describe how you managed multiple deadlines for papers and presentations alongside a busy extracurricular schedule. 🗓️
Also, try to include numerical data to make your essay stronger. If you were involved in a fundraising campaign, mention how much money you raised and the percentage it increased from the previous year. This gives specific details and solid proof of what you achieved.
This not only makes your essay more honest and reliable but also gives the admissions committee a memorable view of your strengths in real-life situations. 💯
6. Use Your Voice and Allow Your Personality to Shine
Your essay must remain authentic and true to your personality. This will help admissions officers develop an accurate impression of you. While college essay examples can provide inspiration, be cautious not to mimic their tone, writing style, or format too closely. 🗒️
Shape your essay with your unique voice and personal beliefs, as it’s a portrayal of who you are.
Say you’re writing about a volunteering experience. Instead of providing a generic overview of your tasks, delve into a specific moment that profoundly impacted you. Share your thoughts, emotions, and reflections during that moment — instead of merely stating the facts. 🥰
Maintain your individual style and draw from your experiences. As long as you remain polite and grammatically correct, you can write similarly to how you speak.
Consider that humor may not always translate well onto paper, and admissions officers may not share your comedic sensibilities. Be mindful of this as you craft your essay. 🛑
Rule of thumb: if you have to ask whether something is appropriate, it probably is not.
7. Stay Focused on Your Message
When writing a college essay, remember that every word counts. You only have several hundred words to make an impact on the admissions committee, so use them wisely.
Stay on topic, and don’t add anything that distracts from the overall message. By including unnecessary details, you risk confusing the reader or losing their interest altogether. So stick to your outline, and make sure every word is supporting your main arguments. ✅
8. End Your Essay With a Bang
As you approach the final paragraphs of your essay, aim to leave a lasting impression on your reader. Your conclusion is the last opportunity to reinforce the key points and emotions you want to convey. 👌
Instead of merely summarizing your main points, consider leaving your audience with a thought-provoking insight, a reflective question, or a powerful statement that echoes the essay’s theme.
This will ensure that your essay lingers in the minds of the admissions committee, leaving them with a powerful and memorable takeaway. 🤯
9. Revise, Revise, and Revise Some More
Crafting a college essay masterpiece takes time, so don’t rush it in one go. Put your draft on hold and give it a day or two before diving back in.
This break can help you catch grammatical slip-ups and evaluate if your essay conveys the message you intend. Ask yourself: Is it gripping? Is the structure solid? Does it truly reflect me? 🤔
Colleges use your essay to understand you and your writing prowess, so offer them your finest work — avoid submitting your initial draft.
10. Ask Someone to Proofread Your College Essay
Getting a second pair of eyes on your essay is a must for top-notch results. Ask a family member, friend, or favorite teacher for feedback. Fresh perspectives can catch mistakes and make your essay even better in ways you might not have thought of! 🚀
Pro Writing Tips for Nailing Your College Essay
✔️ Write About What’s Important To You
Build your narrative around impactful moments in your life. When you focus on authentic experiences, your essay becomes more genuine and easier to compose.
✔️ Don’t Waste the Reader’s Time
Make sure your work gets to the point swiftly and stays on-topic.
✔️ Balance Your Tone With Your Audience in Mind
It’s essential to come across as authentic but don’t drown your essay with too much sarcasm, humor, or cynicism. Consider your audience — is this the tone you would want to use if you spoke to them in person?
✔️ Omit Unnecessary Words To Improve Readability
When a sentence works without that added adjective or phrase, you might not need it. Brevity provides clarity. It also makes your words more impactful.
✔️ Show, Don’t Tell
Your essay will be more memorable if you use descriptive language to help immerse your reader rather than simply describing what happened. Instead of saying, “I was excited,” talk about how you felt the uncontrollable urge to smile as you received good news.
✔️ Avoid Repeating Achievements Already Found on Your Resume
Your college essay should show your personal qualities, such as leadership, willingness to take risks, individual growth, teamwork, and anything else that’s not already in your application.
✔️ You Don’t Always Have To Use the Thesaurus
Use language that sounds natural and conveys your message clearly and directly. Don’t assume that big words will make for a better essay. The more complex your wording is, the greater risk that your message could get buried.
✔️ Highlight the Positives but Leave Your Ego Behind
Draw attention to your strengths and all the good you’ve done but be careful not to brag or put anyone down.
✔️ Give Yourself Time To Write
Start early so that you have time to work on multiple drafts before the deadline. Try online study tools to help you set manageable targets and increase productivity. Good writing takes time, so plan for it.
Your grades and test scores are important for college, but your college essay is your chance to shine beyond the numbers and show who you really are. 🌟
Don’t stress if you aren’t a high school superstar. What colleges really want is someone who can make an impact on their campus and community; the straight As can come later.
So, focus on your strengths in your essay, and you might just charm even the most selective schools! 💯
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Write a College Essay
How long should my college essay be?
Aim for an essay between 250 to 650 words, depending on the prompt and college’s guidelines. Exceeding the limit can make your essay seem disorganized and affect your chances of admission. Edit for brevity and clarity, focusing on conveying your message effectively.
What topics should I avoid in my college essay?
Avoid cliché essay topics like listing volunteer experiences or sports injuries. Admissions officers have seen these countless times. Instead, focus on a specific, meaningful experience that shaped you or led you to a new passion.
For example, think about a transformative and memorable trip or a tough school project that really changed you or had a big impact on who you are. Your essay should be authentic and reflect your unique character.
What makes a college essay stand out?
A standout college essay is genuine, with a unique topic and an engaging start that captivates the reader. Make sure your essay is well-organized and includes specific details.
Talk about how you’ve changed and learned from your experiences. Let your personality shine through, keep it short and sweet, and check for any mistakes. Also, explain why you’re a good match for the college you’re applying to.
What is the proper way to write a college essay?
To write an impactful college essay, choose a meaningful topic, develop a clear thesis, craft a captivating introduction, use vivid details, demonstrate personal growth, connect to the college’s values, and proofread rigorously. Seek feedback and revise to strengthen your essay’s impact.
What is a good format for a college essay?
A good college essay typically follows a five-paragraph structure with a captivating introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a memorable conclusion. Use standard formatting, proofread carefully, and tailor your essay to each college, highlighting how you fit with each college’s values and offerings.
How do you start off a college essay?
You can begin with an engaging anecdote, a thought-provoking question, an impactful quote, a surprising fact, or a personal reflection that relates to your essay’s theme. Alternatively, setting a vivid scene, presenting a clear thesis statement, or incorporating a touch of humor, if suitable, can also create an engaging start.
How should college essays be structured?
A well-structured college essay should follow a standard five-paragraph format: a captivating introduction, informative body paragraphs, and a memorable conclusion.
How does the affirmative action ruling change college essays?
The affirmative action ruling has shifted the focus of college essays to individuality, character, authenticity, and cultural contributions. Applicants should highlight unique experiences, personal growth, and contributions to diversity.