Strategies for Writing a Standout College Application Essay

One of the most important parts of the college application process is writing the personal essay. This is your opportunity to showcase your personality and writing skills to the admissions committee. An interesting, well-written essay can make a difference in your application.

But writing your essay could seem intimidating, especially if you're not very good at writing. Being loyal to oneself is crucial. The goal of admissions teams is to learn more about your distinct personality, talents, and capabilities. Here are seven techniques for writing an exceptional college application essay to effectively showcase them.

1. Choose a Topic You Care About

fantastic themes make for fantastic writings. When coming up with ideas for subjects, consider your interests rather than what you believe admissions officers will find interesting. Each year, admissions committees review thousands of applications; therefore, writing about something different will make you stick out.

Selecting a subject you are enthusiastic about will help you stay motivated while you write. Instead of doing research, you'll be able to depend more on your prior knowledge and expertise. Some ideas for college essays are a problem you've overcome, a pastime you find inspiring, or a social subject you really believe in.

Some colleges provide essay prompts for prospective students to respond to. For example, the Common App requires students to choose from one of seven prompts. In this case, select the prompt that resonates most closely with your interests and experiences.

2. Seek Outside Opinions

Assessing your own writing can be difficult. Ask friends, family, or even trusted teachers for their opinions when writing your essay. They can point out strengths you can highlight or provide suggestions to improve flow and readability. This is an easy way to ensure that your writing has the desired impact on the reader.

Getting feedback from college admissions experts is also very helpful. Most high school counselors are very familiar with the college application process and are happy to provide feedback. A college admissions consultant can provide even more detailed, personalized input. They can assist you in selecting topics, refining your writing, and tailoring your essay to specific universities.

3. Follow Guidelines Closely

Each application will come with a set of guidelines for your essay. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines before you start writing. The last thing you want is for your application to be rejected because you failed to follow instructions.

These guidelines may specify how long the essay should be, how it should be structured, and how to submit it. They might also provide prompts to respond to. If you’re reusing the same essay for multiple applications, be sure to tailor it to the requirements before submitting.

Keep in mind that many colleges want short essays — usually fewer than 600 words. You’ll need to be concise to meet the requirements and keep readers engaged. With so many applications to get through, a long, rambling essay could turn the admissions committee off.

4. Dig Deep

Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable or bold in your essay. Don’t just list your experiences, but use descriptive phrasing to pull the reader into your story. Specifically, focus on a strong beginning and ending for your essay. A compelling opening “hooks” the reader, while a rousing conclusion leaves them with a positive impression.

In most cases, the essay will be your primary opportunity to showcase your personality on your college applications. It’s also your chance to share important life experiences that don’t fit neatly into your resume. Talk about how these experiences made you feel and have influenced your goals for the future.

5. Write Multiple Drafts

You don’t need to write a perfect essay on the first try. Instead, write multiple drafts and refine your essay over time. Writing multiple drafts takes some of the pressure off while writing. Be sure to start well before the application deadline so you have plenty of time.

Use your first draft as a brain dump to get your ideas on the page. Don’t worry about perfect spelling, grammar, or structure. Instead, focus on getting your ideas out and showcasing your personality.

In your second draft, clean up the structure of your essay and condense any redundant sentences. Proofread it for spelling and grammar errors. Once you have a solid second draft, ask for feedback from others. You can use their suggestions to make further revisions and solidify your final draft.

6. Read Your Essay Out Loud

One of the most effective ways to edit your essay is to read it out loud. This will enable you to identify issues with structure and flow that are more difficult to catch while writing. This approach will also give you an idea of what your essay sounds like to other people.

In particular, pay attention to the tone of your essay while reading aloud. Look for phrases that sound overly formal or awkward, and substitute more accessible language. Ultimately, your essay needs to sound like you.

7. Avoid Repetition

Take care to avoid repetition while writing your essay. You have a limited number of paragraphs to make an impression, so make sure that each sentence says something new. After you’ve written your initial draft, cut out repetitive sentences as you edit. Reading the essay aloud will also help surface these.

Additionally, check your essay to make sure you haven't repeated any information from other sections of your application. This is not the area to highlight your transcript, accolades, or extracurricular activities. Rather, concentrate on items that don't cleanly fit into other sections of your program.

Don't be scared to use your imagination when writing your college essay. Every student has something unique to offer an admissions board because they are all so different. Even in a tough admissions environment, your essay will stand out if it combines strong writing with introspection.