#1 Tip for Writing a College Essay

Counselors, this post is part of a series of resources geared towards families of high schoolers and students themselves. You can share with families via email, in newsletters, on social media, or at CCR events.

By the time senior year rolls around and it is actually time to apply to colleges, many of the details that will comprise an application are nearly complete: most of the grades on a transcript have been earned, tests have been taken, extracurriculars have been completed over the course of many years, and the content and descriptions of character and accolades that will fill letters of recommendation have been developed over time. Of course, it is important to ensure that resumes are well crafted and describe the breadth and depth of experiences, letters of recommendation reflect key qualities of your student, and students know there is still time to retake standardized tests to improve scores. 

The college essay, however, is the component that students have the most ability to craft and make a significant impact on the competitiveness of their applications at this point in the process.

The good news is that college essays provide a wonderful opportunity for students to stand out in a large pool of applicants. The essay allows students to show an admissions committee who they are–well beyond test scores, grades, and resumes. It gives them room to illustrate their personality, talk about passions, spotlight a unique character trait that defines them but is often hard to capture on a transcript, dive deeper into a momentous life event, or help to tell a story to explain specific choices about different courses or activities. And the essay truly can have a powerful and meaningful effect on an admissions decision. 

Because of the weight it holds, many students become almost paralyzed in starting their essays, while others rush to get it done quickly and submit a first draft. Students pore over the long list of essay prompts on the Common Application, which is used to apply to many different colleges and universities. Though they typically only have to pick one to answer, many students get overly focused on which prompt they think will most appeal to applications committees. But this is exactly the wrong starting point. 

Start with You, Not the Prompts

Before starting to write–or even reading any of the prompts–students should pause to really consider what they hope to convey in their writing. Though this can seem counterintuitive, this avoids students getting distracted by the topics in the prompts and encourages them to really focus on the best qualities, stories, and messages they want to share. It can be helpful to consider these questions to plan for potential topics: 

• What qualities, talents, or experiences are you most proud of? What makes you proud of these characteristics, skills, or events?
• What is a time you helped someone that made a difference–in small or big ways?
• What experiences or events–positive or negative–have shaped who you are or hope to be? 
• What issues do you care about? What made you feel so passionate about that issue? 
• Is there a day in your life either recently or from long ago that you think about often? What is so meaningful about that day?
• Have you participated in an interesting or meaningful volunteer opportunity or club? Why were you drawn to that experience? What did you learn?
• What would you like the admissions committee to know about you that they might not realize from the rest of the application components?

This process can lead to a productive brainstorm that creates the building blocks for a strong essay that is truly reflective of the student. And for students who are unsure of where to start, this type of planning can lead to ideas that are not initially obvious and bring enthusiasm and more meaningful connection to the writing experience. 

It can be beneficial to make a list of notes while thinking about these questions. Talking about different ideas with family members and friends can help add detail and layers to the ideas. It is important to note that these essays do not have to focus on heavy and serious topics. They can include details that are funny or seemingly insignificant, but can be written about in a way to convey meaningful lessons learned and details about who you are. 

Then, Find the Right Prompt to Tell Your Story

Once there is a set of possible ideas and topics to write about, the next step is to look at the different essay prompt options. With the number of prompts available, and the flexibility within those prompts, it is very likely that one will align with a story or idea you hope to tell. It is a good idea to revisit the brainstorming notes while writing. Having notes about the qualities and attributes to be sure to integrate as well as personal experiences you want to include ensures that the essay stays tightly connected to your unique story as you respond to the prompt.   

And remember to start with a good hook as it is so important to find a way to capture the attention of the reader from the very start. Beginning with an interesting story or anecdote can be very effective. Refer back to the list of ideas to see if there’s one that fits.

Review to Make Sure the Essay is Authentically You AND Fits the Prompt

Students should write with words and expressions that are true to them; capturing their voice and perspective as they describe themselves and their experiences in order to showcase who they are and what they could bring to a college community. In other words, it should reflect the student’s voice, not a formal academic research paper. 

It is also incredibly important that the essay aligns to the essay prompt and really does answer the question. Consider inviting others–such as an English teacher or school counselor–to read the essay and provide feedback. It is critical to do a final check to make sure the essay submission has no grammatical errors and meets all requirements including minimum or maximum word count. Students should submit an essay they feel proud and excited to include as part of their college application.