what do colleges look for in an essay

What are colleges looking for in my application essay?

Knowing what to include in a college essay is half the battle. Admissions teams look for many things, but the most influential are authenticity, writing ability, character details, and positive traits. The purpose of the essay is to shed light on your background and gain perspective on your real-world experiences.

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What Do Colleges Look for in an Essay? Examples & Tips

What is a College Essay?

The college essay is an essential element of the college application process. It presents an opportunity for students to personalize their college application, beyond grades and scores. It can also be one of the more nerve-wracking parts of the application process. 

If you are reading this article, you are like applying to college and taking the process seriously. The quality of the college you attend will have a big effect on your entire life, and taking a few hours to make your application the best it can possibly be may be the most lucrative time investment you will ever make.

What do colleges look for in an essay from applicants?

So, what do colleges look for in an essay? The answer is similar to what colleges look for in an applicant. To hit the right notes, you need to consider the perspective and even the mission statement of the college, which of course values intelligence, a good work ethic, and the type of personality that will represent the school. 

Therefore, the core aspects that admissions officials at any institution look for in an essay are:

·         Intelligence

·         Strong communication skills

·         Ambition and goals

·         Creativity

·         Proactivity and self-direction

·         Interest in education and self-betterment

These elements are not based on any abstract moral consideration–colleges want students who will make their institution stronger. They will look for evidence of these traits in your personal essay, as grades only reflect a few of these core aspects and abilities. 

Beyond these considerations, remember that an admissions officer (an actual human being) will read your essay and respond to it both rationally and emotionally. In many cases, that emotion is boredom. Keep in mind that these officials read hundreds of application essays each admissions season. But if your essay can successfully win them over, then you’ll be getting a letter that begins with a “We are delighted to announce…”

Qualities Colleges Look for to Include in Your Essay

Most achievements that colleges are looking for will be reflected in your college application, and therefore, these have been left off of the list below. The achievements showing your passion and drive, as well as your internal and external motivations, will be the ones to include in your application essay. 

Challenging extracurricular activities

Colleges want to see students who stretch themselves beyond the limits of the classroom. The kinds of activities you choose say a lot about your personality and even your morals. Whether or not you stick with your chosen undertakings exhibits your ability to commit to important projects in the long term.

Volunteer and work experience

Any experience you have that shows true commitment, leadership qualities and an interest in community is beneficial to your application. Include the organizations or companies you worked for and what your responsibilities were at each one. If you received any promotions or special recognitions, be sure to mention those as well.

Talents and passions

More colleges are moving away from accepting students who did the most “stuff” to looking for those who focus their energy in specific areas that they’re passionate about. Schools want to see what makes you special and how hard you’re willing to work at the things you care about.

Obstacles or challenges you have overcome

One of the most important aspects of a good college student is their ability to learn from mistakes and overcome challenges in order to achieve success. This is especially true for Common App Essay prompts . In your essay, focus on what exact difficulties or challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned from this experience. After all, admissions officials are more impressed by a student who came from an adverse situation and still achieved success than they are with a student who had every advantage handed to them and skated by on position and intelligence.

What is a well-written essay?

Admissions officers read a lot of essays, and a well-written one can make a refreshing change. Students should check their essays to make sure they clearly meet these criteria:

• Does the essay provide a direct answer to the essay question?
• Does it have a strong opening paragraph that captures the reader’s interest?
• Does it put forth a comprehensive argument or narrative? Does the student make a point and stick to it?
• Does it have a natural style that’s comfortable for the student and appropriate for the subject matter?
• Did the student use effective word choice, syntax, and structure?
• Does it contain correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling?
• Is it succinct? Did the student pay attention to the recommended length?

How to Write About Positive Qualities in an Application Essay

The rule of thumb here is always “Show–don’t tell.” When writing a college essay, skip generalized information. Instead, provide real, specific examples to support your statements. Your attention to detail will help make you more memorable to an admissions officer who has to read hundreds, if not thousands, of essays. 

For example, instead of “I love hiking,” you could say, “After reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, I decided my next adventure would be climbing Mt. Everest.” What’s the difference between these two sentences? The first says you like something, while the second one illustrates that you do—but not only that, it also shows your level of commitment and your desire for challenge. Of the two example sentences, which do you think maximizes your use of words and would be more interesting to admissions officers?

Bad example: Claim without proof My teacher once told me that I was the most skilled and intelligent student she’s ever taught, and I believed her. When I set a goal, there’s no stopping me. I’ll work at it until it’s achieved—even if it’s to my own detriment.

Good example: Showing with concrete evidence In sophomore year, I decided to set a goal to raise more money for Relay for Life than any other student involved. I asked my neighbors, family, teachers, and even my paster, who sat through my 20-minute prepared speech about why donating to this campaign would be the best use of his money. I spoke to community groups. I did three straight weekends of door-to-door fundraising. And in the end, my efforts paid off—I succeeded in raising over $500 more than any other student.

Showing initiative and ambition

Initiative and ambition are top qualities that colleges look for in an applicant. Students who exhibit these traits will bring a positive and driven attitude with them to college, where it will help them contribute to the campus and succeed in their academic endeavors.

The college essay should always show how you took some kind of action—it shouldn’t just include things that happened to you as a passive individual. For example, rather than simply writing about how it was emotionally difficult when your older sibling got sick, discuss specific coping strategies you developed during that time or ways that you contributed to helping your sibling and family.

Showing self-reflection and growth

Personal growth is one of the most popular topics to write about since it represents what the admissions essay is all about: helping the college gain better insight into your personality and character. Some schools ask targeted questions — “What was the most challenging event you have ever faced, and how have you grown from it?” — while others leave the topic open: “Describe an event that has had great meaning for you. Explain why and how it has affected you.”

One of the most successful strategies is to use a past event as a lens through which you can assess who you were and the person you became, how you have grown and changed, and your transformation. Most children are curious, but were you the one who asked your teacher what caused the change of seasons of the year and then created a solar system model and explained the concept to your classmates? Though you may think that your topic needs to be bold and unique, this is not necessary to craft an effective essay. Instead, success lies in painting an accurate and vivid picture of yourself — one that will show admissions officers that you have much to offer their school.

Structure your essay with a clear beginning, middle, and end

When you include the basic plot elements of setting, introduction, conflict, and resolution, not only will your essay be more fun to read, it will be easier to write. And when writing is easier, you are usually having more fun and pouring more of yourself into your writing. You will find that this often translates into a more compelling story as well since passion and interest are hallmarks of any good story told to a friend or included on the page of an adventure or romance novel. When structuring your narrative arc, include the lessons you have learned from these experiences: How did you change? What did you learn? What did/do you plan to do differently because of these experiences? Anyone can write about how they won first place in a competition or spent a fantastic vacation in Europe. The important stuff is not in the itinerary, but rather in the diary–what you learned from the experience and how it impacted you.

Essay Introduction #1: Focus on Your Personal Qualities

One approach when beginning your application essay is to start by describing positive character traits you possess and then showing examples of times you demonstrated those traits.

Starting with your qualities A student wants to show that he is determined and tenacious. He thinks about times when he went above and beyond what was necessary to succeed in high school. He thinks of how he became the only student at his school to participate in three or more AP classes while also being involved in multiple sports and extracurricular activities. He also thinks of his volunteer work with his church at a local homeless shelter, where he made friends and connections with shelter guests and high-profile members of the community. These are the qualities around which his essay is focused.

Essay Introduction #2: Focus on a Personal Story

Another way to approach your essay topic is to start with a story and then work show examples that demonstrative your positive qualities.

Starting with a story A student’s sibling has been fighting cancer for the past three years, and he feels that this is an important experience that has shaped who he is today. He considers how the difficulties of this experience have changed him and help distinguish him from other applicants. 

From introducing his story at the beginning of his essay, this applicant can tie in the positive qualities he exhibits with the finer details of his personal story: 

• He is independent, as he needed to deal with taking care of a loved one in a serious and sustained way that his peers did not need to deal with.
• He is focused, as dealing with regular medical emergencies has not deterred him from achieving good grades and being part of his community.
• He is empathetic, as he understands personally how hard times can impact people.

Whatever essay topic you choose, your essay should provide admissions officers concrete evidence that you are an ideal candidate for their school. Your essay should have a memorable introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and guides the rest of your essay.

Repeat Your Qualities in the Essay Conclusion

Although your essay introduction is crucial in starting your essay off in a clear and impactful direction, how you end your essay is also important as it is the last thing that will remain in the reader’s mind. One surefire way to write a strong essay conclusion is to repeat the important qualities you discussed earlier. Recall details about your personal story or repeat the qualities you introduced at the beginning of the essay. Here is an example of what a good conclusion can capture what colleges are looking for in an essay: 

Concluding your essay by repeating your qualities During my high school years, my qualities of leadership, initiative, and hard work have help shape me to become the strong student I am today. As the head of our school’s volunteer group, I showed that even a teenager can make a big impact. As a student achieving high grades in all three of my AP courses, I demonstrated my dedication to education about all. Finally, as a daughter of working-class immigrant parents, I have used my value of hard work to achieve things my parents never thought possible. These values have contributed to making me the conscientious and successful student and person I am now, and they will surely continue to assist and guide me in my academic and professional career.

Interesting Essay Topics to Write About

There are hundreds of resources available online about writing college essays (including How to Write the Common App Essay ). And while you can find dozens of interesting and fruitful essay topics that have worked, here are just a few more that are not too specific and can be molded to fit your unique profile and personal story. 

1. A unique extracurricular activity or passion 

2. An activity or interest that contrasts heavily with your profile

3. A seemingly insignificant moment that speaks to larger themes within your life 

4. Using an everyday experience or object as a metaphor to explore your life and personality 

5. An in-the-moment narrative that tells the story of an important moment in your life

Additional Tips for Writing an Essay Colleges Will Love

Choose a strong essay topic.

First, whichever structure you will use, you need to ask yourself what you actually want to accomplish in life (esp. in terms of career) . This gives you your goals. You need to choose a program that helps you reach these goals—otherwise, you should seriously reconsider whether you should even be applying!  

If you are using the “Story” structure…

The story is going to be your topic, so make it an engaging tale… but remember you are not here to show that you are the next Shakespeare. There are three ways to go here: a story/description about yourself that shaped who you are and shows who you are. A story/description of something completely different that inspires you or is a metaphor for who you are.

If you are using the “Conveying passion for a subject” structure…

In this case, you have your topic (the subject you are passionate about), but remember the essay should be about what it means to you (don’t get bogged down in describing the subject itself). Use each subsequent paragraph to illustrate how you show passion for the subject or topic you have chosen. Be sure to use concrete details within the paragraph, but begin each paragraph with a “mini-thesis statement” that gives the reader a clear and concise summary of how you demonstrate your passion in a particular way.

Engage the Reader with Your Essay’s Narrative

The admissions officer will not be interested in a mere list of your personal qualities, extracurriculars, or accomplishments. This information is included elsewhere in your application. Instead, focus on showing who you are in your essay through a narrative that includes concrete details. 

But how can you plan the topics included in your narrative essay? First, grab a pen and jot down important experiences that spring to mind. Your experience could be something negative that eventually turns out to be positive or vice-versa. The most intriguing part of a negative experience is how you handled it and, hopefully, came out on top. Give your reader a setting to help them feel like they’re a part of your story and experience this moment of change with you.

Focus on what you care about most

Consider this a kind of brainstorming exercise. Close your eyes and imagine what drives you, motivates you, excites you, and inspires you to pursue great things (or at least fantasize about doing them). This might include a hobby, a genre of music, an important person in your life, a pivotal memory or experience, a book—anything meaningful that you consider part of your identity or that defines you. 

Start by listing these items and creating a word web of other relevant or secondary aspects of this one idea, person, object, or experience. Write some brief sentences about exactly why it is important to you. Once you have your list and a few sentences written, it should be a bit easier to narrow your topic to just one or two things at most.

Essay Editing for College Application Essays

One thing all schools look for in an essay is a document that is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and style. Admissions essay editing services are ideal for international students who struggle with English or simply want to take their essays to the next level. Students should take care to choose a company that’s reputable and employs highly qualified editors .

Check out Wordvice’s array of professional English editing services and proofreading services , including essay editing services, to learn how our editors can improve your essays and help you get into your dream school.

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177 College Essay Examples for 11 Schools + Expert Analysis

College Admissions , College Essays

The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. 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? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. 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?

7. 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.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

• 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

• 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
• 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
• 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
• 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
• 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

• 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

• 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

• 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
• 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
• 10 Harvard essays from 2023
• 10 Harvard essays from 2022
• 10 Harvard essays from 2021
• 10 Harvard essays from 2020
• 10 Harvard essays from 2019
• 10 Harvard essays from 2018
• 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

• 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
• Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
• Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
• Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

What's Next?

Still not sure which colleges you want to apply to? Our experts will show you how to make a college list that will help you choose a college that's right for you.

Interested in learning more about college essays? Check out our detailed breakdown of exactly how personal statements work in an application , some suggestions on what to avoid when writing your essay , and our guide to writing about your extracurricular activities .

Working on the rest of your application? Read what admissions officers wish applicants knew before applying .

The recommendations in this post are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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What do Colleges Look for in Applicants?

What’s covered:, academic index, recommendation letters and interviews, cultural fit, demographics, what are my chances of admission.

To many high schoolers, college admissions feels like a secretive process in mysterious rooms behind closed doors. What actually goes on? What distinguishes a good applicant from a bad one? What are admissions officers looking for? 

If you are like any other high schooler, these thoughts have probably ran through your head more than once. We are here to put a stop to your endless hours of wonder and anxiety surrounding college admissions. In this post, we will explain exactly what colleges are looking for in applicants so you can feel more confident going into the process and best position yourself to stand out among thousands of other applicants.

What Do Colleges Look for in Applicants?

When most people think of getting into a highly selective university, their first thought is probably that they need stellar academics. However, your class grades and test scores are only a part of the admissions decision. In fact, many colleges use your academic performance as a benchmark to see if you make it pass their cutoffs, and then place a larger emphasis on other aspects of your application. In order to determine if you pass the threshold, admissions officers use something called the Academic Index.

The Academic Index streamlines the process of sifting through students’ academics by aggregating their GPAs, class rank, and test scores into a single numerical score. Every school has a different Academic Index threshold they use, so your AI score might pass a less selective school’s screening process but not a highly selective Ivy League’s. 

The good news about the Academic Index is that your grades and scores don’t mean everything when it comes to your admissions chances so you don’t necessarily need a perfect 4.0 or 1600 to get into college. That being said, since colleges use AI scores to see if you meet academic cutoffs and determine if they should read your profile, if your AI score is too low, the rest of your application might not be reviewed. If you’re a freshman or sophomore, you can work on boosting your GPA to get a higher AI score. If you are a junior or senior, you should focus on improving your test scores to maximize your AI score.

Learn more about the Academic Index.

Extracurricular activities are another huge factor in your college application. Admissions officers are looking for engaged, motivated students both inside and outside the classroom, and extracurriculars showcase the latter. Some factors that influence the weight of an extracurricular are the length of time you’ve participated in them, the time commitment you devote, the leadership experience you’ve developed, and the prestige of the activity. 

You might hear people say that you need to display a diverse array of interests and join every club offered at your school; this is not necessarily correct. The common misconception when it comes to extracurriculars is that admissions officers are looking for well-rounded students, when in actuality they are looking for students with a highly developed interest in 2-3 areas. 

For example, consider which applicant sounds more impressive. A student with an interest in playing piano and working with kids has competed in state competitions, played with the local symphony orchestra in their city, started and is president of a club at their school to connect high school band students to elementary students learning instruments, and volunteered with the Girl Scouts to help girls get a music badge. Alternatively, another student is interested in government but wants to be well-rounded so they are a member of the debate team, Model UN, Model Congress, the school newspaper, JV basketball, and JV baseball. The second student is so concerned with joining everything that they don’t hold any leadership positions and can’t fully commit to any one of their clubs.

The key to standing out in college admissions is to look more like the first student. You should discover your niche and explore those 2-3 interests deeply. It’s even better if you are able to connect your separate interests in a unique way—a student who enjoys nature and coding might develop an app to let people scan plants and flowers and figure out what type of plant it is.

When it comes to understanding your extracurriculars, there are 4 tiers you should understand:

• Tier One Extracurricular Activities 

Tier one activities are the rarest, but most impressive activities you can have. They demonstrate significant time commitments over the course of high school and exceptional achievement or leadership. 

Tier one activities might be things like being a highly recruited soccer player or obtaining national attention for math/science competitions. Winning prestigious national academic prizes such as the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) or an Intel Award are examples of tier one achievements. 

• Tier Two Extracurricular Activities  

Tier two activities are also fairly rare and highly desirable. However, they typically require less time and fewer requirements than tier one activities. They show dedication and a history of commitment to an area of interest. A typical student may have one or two tier two extracurriculars in their high school career. 

Holding a leadership position in a well-known club like the Model UN, debate team, or Science Olympiad is an example of a tier 2 activity.

• Tier Three Extracurricular Activities  

Tier three activities are more common and students are expected to have a few extracurriculars that fall into this category. They are not as time consuming as tier two activities, but they are still important when applying to colleges as they show a complete picture of how you spent your time in high school.

Tier three extracurricular activities include being a member, or holding a minor leadership position, of a club such as Model UN, debate team, or Science Olympiad. Athletes who receive player of the week awards or play in regional teams would fall into this category as well.

• Tier Four Extracurricular Activities  

Finally, tier four activities are the most common and every student will probably have 3 or 4 tier four activities on their application. These are the clubs you were a general member of and didn’t put in a huge time commitment for.

Some sample tier four activities include being a member of a club like Model UN, debate team, and Science Olympiad. Athletes who played a sport throughout high school but didn’t earn any special distinctions would be in tier four. Volunteering often falls into tier four—unless you planned a large-scale fundraiser or raised lots of money for charity, in which case you would be in a higher tier. 

While it differs for every student, you should aim to have 1 or 2 tier one and tier two activities, 2 or 3 tier three activities, and 3 or 4 tier four activities. This will show admissions officers the breadth and depth of your extracurricular interests.

Learn more about the 4 tiers of extracurriculars.

Most colleges want to know how you think, what you believe in, and who you are as an individual. The essay is one of the most important parts of your application when applying to college because it represents who you are as a person. It allows you to express yourself in ways that you cannot do in other parts of your profile.

For more selective colleges, you should expect to submit 1) a personal statement and 2) school-specific supplemental essays. Some colleges might not have any supplements, while others might have upwards of 8 to 10! 

Writing your essays might seem like the hardest part of applying to college, but remember that this is your real chance to showcase your personality, goals, and achievements to colleges. All you need to do is be honest and true to yourself. Admissions officers want to know what makes you unique. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when crafting your essays:

• Know your audience and their motivations. Why are you applying to this college?
• Find a unique topic that can be developed in multiple ways without sounding repetitive.
• Keep the tone conversational, but serious. It should not sound like a novel or essay from English class, but it also needs to be formal enough to convey your knowledge and intelligence.
• Keep your essay succinct. Colleges are looking for applicants who can communicate effectively through their essays, but they also don’t want people to ramble on about the same idea over and over again.

Learn how to write your college essays with a step-by-step guide.

Compared to other aspects of your application, your recommendation letters and interviews are not as crucial. The rule of thumb is normally a good letter or interview won’t affect you, but a bad or stellar one might push you one way or the other if admissions officers are on the fence.

When it comes to recommendation letters, most of the work is out of your hands, but it is up to you to pick teachers who will write the best letter possible. You want your letters to showcase your academic drive and achievements, as well as personable characteristics like your persistence, creativity, compassion, thoughtfulness, etc. The teachers that write your letters should ideally be teachers you had in your junior or senior year—or a teacher you’ve had for multiple years who can comment on your growth—and you should have a good connection with them.

Learn more about recommendation letters and the process of asking for one.

Interviews generally have very little impact on your chances of admission. Colleges are mainly interested in how you interact with others and if you can carry yourself professionally. While a good interview might not help you, a bad interview may hurt you, so take your interviews seriously. Be sure to look professional (business casual is best), but still be friendly and personable. Some helpful interview tips include:

• Be confident, not cocky. Colleges want people who will be able to contribute positively to campus life, not know-it-alls who think they’re better than everyone else.
• Be yourself. Colleges are looking to see if you have what it takes to fit in with their campus community and engage with their school. 
• Be prepared for questions about yourself, your high school experience, and why you are interested in attending their college. You don’t want your answers to sound rehearsed, but have one or two things in the back of your mind so you don’t get flustered answering questions.

Learn more about how to stand out in your college interviews.

Another thing admissions officers take into consideration when reviewing your application is if you will fit into campus life. They get tens of thousands of applicants every admission cycle, so it’s important to them that they only accept students who genuinely want to attend and would mesh with other students. 

Typically, your cultural fit and interest in a school are showcased through your essays. You can display the values that you hold, discuss certain programs or resources that align with your interests and goals, and demonstrate the unique perspectives you would bring to the campus. In addition to essays, some colleges also track demonstrated interest through things like visiting the campus, attending information sessions, going on alumni interviews, and even applying EA or ED.

Colleges want to see that you will do more than just work hard in the classroom. They want applicants who are eager to engage with the campus community and experience everything college has to offer.

Learn more about what it means to find a college with the right fit for you.

Colleges are looking for a diverse campus community. Having diverse perspectives in classrooms and dorms allows students to learn from each other and develop skills like communication and empathy.

While your demographics don’t play a large part in your admissions decision, officers might take them into consideration to ensure they have a well-balanced class. When it comes to your demographics, colleges could look at your race (the most common factor often addressed in the media), your gender (usually for STEM departments that are historically male-heavy fields), your state of residence (for public colleges), and your legacy status (mainly for private colleges).

Unfortunately, this is the one area of your application that is out of your control, but luckily it doesn’t have as large of an impact on your admissions chances as factors that are in your control like your grades, extracurriculars, and essays. 

After reading through all the different factors that impact your admissions decision, there might be a big question looming on your mind right now: what are my chances at my top schools? Have no fear because CollegeVine is here! 

Our free chancing engine will make your admissions process easier by calculating your chances of admission to hundreds of colleges using your profile. To help you understand your chances and whether you’re meeting colleges’ expectations, our engine takes into consideration your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, demographics, and more. Sign up for your CollegeVine account  today to get a boost on your college journey.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

The 5 Things Colleges Want You To Include in Your Admissions Essay

Your college application essays – and you’ll probably write more than a few of them – may be as short as 150 words or up to a few pages. It can be one of the most stressful parts of the application process because it’s the most open-ended.

And those words can mean the difference between a “yes” and a “no” from the college you’ve been dreaming of.

Admissions essays are designed to tell an admissions committee – the folks responsible for deciding who gets in to a particular college or university – how students are different from each other. These people read hundreds of essays from students with similar experiences, so when it comes to your essay…

You need to stand out.

WATCH: Wyzant<5

Wyzant Under Five  is a video series featuring tutors on Wyzant doing what tutors do best:  fitting a ton of learning into a short time!

We challenged tutor  Nick S, The College Guy  to tell us the five things top-tier colleges want to see in your admissions application essay. Watch it below, and check out all the other videos in Wyzant<5.

The One Thing ALL Colleges Want to See in Your Application Essay is Good Writing

You can write conversationally, but your grammar, spelling, and word count still need to be correct .

Remember: good writing is invisible. It’s about what you’re saying , not how impressively you say it. 

When you’re in the middle of something truly great, you don’t sit there saying “Gee, this sure is well-written.” You just read it. 

Be clear, be focused, and be honest . Don’t worry about saying “the right thing”; worry about saying “the you thing”. Schools read enough of these to recognize when someone is just saying what they think they’re supposed to say. 

Be creative and push the boundaries, not just for the sake of being different but because you don’t fit into any one box.

Colleges Want to Understand Your Motivations

They want to see that you have a plan and the drive to bring it to life.

The more specific you can be about your plan, the better. Colleges know that people with a plan tend to be the most motivated, the most effective, and the most resilient. Don’t just say you want to study psychology or computer science. Say that you want to “learn about the psychological effects of ingroup bias so you can apply them to marketing”, or that you want to “study software analytic methods for optimizing peer-to-peer lending”.

The beautiful part of plans is that they can change. And, in reality, they nearly always do. Colleges know this as well.

You’re not binding yourself to any one trajectory for your future by being specific in what you would like to explore.

You’re simply demonstrating that you have a course, and that you can adjust over time.

Be sure to stay on message

Your essays should all contribute in some way to show how you plan to pursue your stated goals. For your personal statement, be sure your essay reflects the way that your chosen topic has propelled you towards your chosen path. Think of your essay like a string connecting your past and your future.

Go Ahead and Brag

Your drive and motivation will likely be reflected in your past accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to talk about those experiences and show that you have the chops to make your plan a reality. 

Ideally, your past accomplishments relate to your future goals, but, even if they don’t exactly, showing enthusiasm, experience, and commitment goes a long way.

Most Schools Want to See that You Contribute to Your Community

As much as you’ll take away from your college experience, you’ll also give a great deal.

This doesn’t only mean volunteering and formal extracurriculars at school. You probably contribute to your community in a lot more ways than you realize. Do you help friends and classmates to study? Do you make people laugh?

After you finally get your acceptance letters and head to campus next fall, you’re going to be part of a huge community that will expect a lot from you academically and personally. No school wants a student who hides in their dorm waiting to collect a degree. Schools want students who will put themselves out there and make the university a better place.  

Remember: those with the most to offer are the ones who offer the most to other people. And, if you need a selfish reason for doing it, the more you give, the more you get. Show colleges that you’re one of the people with the most to offer.

Colleges Also Want to See Diversity of Experiences

As important as it is to stay on message, it’s also important to balance it out with other aspects of your experience, so colleges don’t see you as one-dimensional.

Thinkers, leaders, and doers take ideas from anywhere they can get them. Show schools that you’re willing to explore far-ranging and surprising places in order to learn and improve.

Sharing quirks or a sense of humor is a great way to show that you’re not a robot, but sharing information about your background that makes you who you are can also help bring your personality to life for an admissions committee.

You’re Different Than Every Other Applicant

Whether you realize it or not, you are unique in important ways from every single other applicant applying to the school of your dreams. It’s your job to discover and express what makes your background unique.

Try to think beyond ethnicity, religion, and geography. These are certainly important parts of who you are, but what combination of influences meet in you and you alone?

Observe your friends, family, and other people in your community. How are you alike? How are you different? This can help to get you started thinking about what makes some of the people close to you who they are and, in turn, what that means about you.

And Lastly…Remember to Be Succinct

Admissions officers are human. If you send them a Tolstoy novel of information about every gold star you’ve gotten since 2 nd grade and excuses for why each and every tiny thing didn’t go perfectly, they’re going to feel overwhelmed and unmotivated to read your application when they still have 200 to get through that night. 

Don’t worry about saying “the right thing”; worry about saying “the you thing”.

Keep it concise. Keep it focused .

This is as much for your own sake as it is for theirs! By choosing your words and application materials carefully, you will stay focused on your message better and present an overall more cohesive picture of you as an applicant.

Both your personal statements and school-specific essays should have one, single, cohesive point. It’s often best to express this thesis statement directly right at the beginning of your essay. If you don’t know what your thesis is, you’re not done with your essay.

Sometimes it takes a few tries and a few drafts before you narrow in on what you really want to say. But, when you find it, make sure you can express it in a single sentence.

Get More College Admissions Help

Five important things you should consider in your own college admissions essays will get you started, but for the rest of your college admissions journey, connect with a tutor on Wyzant, and check out all the other videos in Wyzant<5 .

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Frequently asked questions

What are colleges looking for in the essay.

In your application essay , admissions officers are looking for particular features : they want to see context on your background, positive traits that you could bring to campus, and examples of you demonstrating those qualities.

Frequently asked questions: College admissions essays

When writing your Common App essay , choose a prompt that sparks your interest and that you can connect to a unique personal story.

No matter which prompt you choose, admissions officers are more interested in your ability to demonstrate personal development , insight, or motivation for a certain area of study.

The Common App essay is your primary writing sample within the Common Application, a college application portal accepted by more than 900 schools. All your prospective schools that accept the Common App will read this essay to understand your character, background, and value as a potential student.

Since this essay is read by many colleges, avoid mentioning any college names or programs; instead, save tailored answers for the supplementary school-specific essays within the Common App.

Most importantly, your essay should be about you , not another person or thing. An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability.

Your essay shouldn’t be a résumé of your experiences but instead should tell a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding your message and content. Then, check for flow, tone, style , and clarity. Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors .

If your college essay goes over the word count limit , cut any sentences with tangents or irrelevant details. Delete unnecessary words that clutter your essay.

If you’re struggling to reach the word count for your college essay, add vivid personal stories or share your feelings and insight to give your essay more depth and authenticity.

If you’ve got to write your college essay fast , don’t panic. First, set yourself deadlines: you should spend about 10% of your remaining time on brainstorming, 10% on outlining, 40% writing, 30% revising, and 10% taking breaks in between stages.

Second, brainstorm stories and values based on your essay prompt.

Third, outline your essay based on the montage or narrative essay structure .

Fourth, write specific, personal, and unique stories that would be hard for other students to replicate.

Fifth, revise your essay and make sure it’s clearly written.

Last, if possible, get feedback from an essay coach . Scribbr essay editors can help you revise your essay in 12 hours or less.

Avoid swearing in a college essay , since admissions officers’ opinions of profanity will vary. In some cases, it might be okay to use a vulgar word, such as in dialogue or quotes that make an important point in your essay. However, it’s safest to try to make the same point without swearing.

If you have bad grades on your transcript, you may want to use your college admissions essay to explain the challenging circumstances that led to them. Make sure to avoid dwelling on the negative aspects and highlight how you overcame the situation or learned an important lesson.

However, some college applications offer an additional information section where you can explain your bad grades, allowing you to choose another meaningful topic for your college essay.

Here’s a brief list of college essay topics that may be considered cliché:

• Extracurriculars, especially sports
• Role models
• Dealing with a personal tragedy or death in the family
• Struggling with new life situations (immigrant stories, moving homes, parents’ divorce)
• Becoming a better person after community service, traveling, or summer camp
• Overcoming a difficult class
• Using a common object as an extended metaphor

It’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic. However, it’s possible to make a common topic compelling with interesting story arcs, uncommon connections, and an advanced writing style.

Yes. The college application essay is less formal than other academic writing —though of course it’s not mandatory to use contractions in your essay.

In a college essay , you can be creative with your language . When writing about the past, you can use the present tense to make the reader feel as if they were there in the moment with you. But make sure to maintain consistency and when in doubt, default to the correct verb tense according to the time you’re writing about.

The college admissions essay gives admissions officers a different perspective on you beyond your academic achievements, test scores, and extracurriculars. It’s your chance to stand out from other applicants with similar academic profiles by telling a unique, personal, and specific story.

Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial to avoid distracting the reader from your college essay’s content.

A college application essay is less formal than most academic writing . Instead of citing sources formally with in-text citations and a reference list, you can cite them informally in your text.

For example, “In her research paper on genetics, Quinn Roberts explores …”

There is no set number of paragraphs in a college admissions essay . College admissions essays can diverge from the traditional five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in English class. Just make sure to stay under the specified word count .

Most topics are acceptable for college essays if you can use them to demonstrate personal growth or a lesson learned. However, there are a few difficult topics for college essays that should be avoided. Avoid topics that are:

• Overly personal (e.g. graphic details of illness or injury, romantic or sexual relationships)
• Not personal enough (e.g. broad solutions to world problems, inspiring people or things)
• Too negative (e.g. an in-depth look at your flaws, put-downs of others, criticizing the need for a college essay)
• Too boring (e.g. a resume of your academic achievements and extracurriculars)
• Inappropriate for a college essay (e.g. illegal activities, offensive humor, false accounts of yourself, bragging about privilege)

To write an effective diversity essay , include vulnerable, authentic stories about your unique identity, background, or perspective. Provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your outlook, activities, and goals. If relevant, you should also mention how your background has led you to apply for this university and why you’re a good fit.

Many universities believe a student body composed of different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community, which is why they assign a diversity essay .

In addition to your main college essay , some schools and scholarships may ask for a supplementary essay focused on an aspect of your identity or background. This is sometimes called a diversity essay .

You can use humor in a college essay , but carefully consider its purpose and use it wisely. An effective use of humor involves unexpected, keen observations of the everyday, or speaks to a deeper theme. Humor shouldn’t be the main focus of the essay, but rather a tool to improve your storytelling.

Get a second opinion from a teacher, counselor, or essay coach on whether your essay’s humor is appropriate.

Though admissions officers are interested in hearing your story, they’re also interested in how you tell it. An exceptionally written essay will differentiate you from other applicants, meaning that admissions officers will spend more time reading it.

You can use literary devices to catch your reader’s attention and enrich your storytelling; however, focus on using just a few devices well, rather than trying to use as many as possible.

To decide on a good college essay topic , spend time thoughtfully answering brainstorming questions. If you still have trouble identifying topics, try the following two strategies:

• Identify your qualities → Brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities
• Identify memorable stories → Connect your qualities to these stories

You can also ask family, friends, or mentors to help you brainstorm topics, give feedback on your potential essay topics, or recall key stories that showcase your qualities.

Yes—admissions officers don’t expect everyone to have a totally unique college essay topic . But you must differentiate your essay from others by having a surprising story arc, an interesting insight, and/or an advanced writing style .

There are no foolproof college essay topics —whatever your topic, the key is to write about it effectively. However, a good topic

• Is meaningful, specific, and personal to you
• Focuses on you and your experiences
• Reveals something beyond your test scores, grades, and extracurriculars
• Is creative and original

Unlike a five-paragraph essay, your admissions essay should not end by summarizing the points you’ve already made. It’s better to be creative and aim for a strong final impression.

You should also avoid stating the obvious (for example, saying that you hope to be accepted).

There are a few strategies you can use for a memorable ending to your college essay :

• Return to the beginning with a “full circle” structure
• Reveal the main point or insight in your story
• Look to the future
• End on an action

The best technique will depend on your topic choice, essay outline, and writing style. You can write several endings using different techniques to see which works best.

College deadlines vary depending on the schools you’re applying to and your application plan:

• For early action applications and the first round of early decision applications, the deadline is on November 1 or 15. Decisions are released by mid-December.
• For the second round of early decision applications, the deadline is January 1 or 15. Decisions are released in January or February.
• Regular decision deadlines usually fall between late November and mid-March, and decisions are released in March or April.
• Rolling admission deadlines run from July to April, and decisions are released around four to eight weeks after submission.

Depending on your prospective schools’ requirements, you may need to submit scores for the SAT or ACT as part of your college application .

Some schools now no longer require students to submit test scores; however, you should still take the SAT or ACT and aim to get a high score to strengthen your application package.

Aim to take the SAT or ACT in the spring of your junior year to give yourself enough time to retake it in the fall of your senior year if necessary.

Apply early for federal student aid and application fee waivers. You can also look for scholarships from schools, corporations, and charitable foundations.

To maximize your options, you should aim to apply to about eight schools:

• Two reach schools that might be difficult to get into
• Four match schools that you have a good chance of getting into
• Two safety schools that you feel confident you’ll get into

The college admissions essay accounts for roughly 25% of the weight of your application .

At highly selective schools, there are four qualified candidates for every spot. While your academic achievements are important, your college admissions essay can help you stand out from other applicants with similar profiles.

In general, for your college application you will need to submit all of the following:

• Your personal information
• List of extracurriculars and awards
• College application essays
• Transcripts
• Standardized test scores
• Recommendation letters.

Different colleges may have specific requirements, so make sure you check exactly what’s expected in the application guidance.

You should start thinking about your college applications the summer before your junior year to give you sufficient time for college visits, taking standardized tests, applying for financial aid , writing essays, and collecting application material.

Yes, but make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, respects the word count , and demonstrates the organization’s values.

If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay .

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your junior year. Continue applying throughout your senior year.

Invest time in applying for various scholarships , especially local ones with small dollar amounts, which are likely easier to win and more reflective of your background and interests. It will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay if the scholarship topic is meaningful to you.

You can find scholarships through your school counselor, community network, or an internet search.

A scholarship essay requires you to demonstrate your values and qualities while answering the prompt’s specific question.

After researching the scholarship organization, identify a personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies how you will be a successful student.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

In most cases, quoting other people isn’t a good way to start your college essay . Admissions officers want to hear your thoughts about yourself, and quotes often don’t achieve that. Unless a quote truly adds something important to your essay that it otherwise wouldn’t have, you probably shouldn’t include it.

Cliché openers in a college essay introduction are usually general and applicable to many students and situations. Most successful introductions are specific: they only work for the unique essay that follows.

The key to a strong college essay introduction is not to give too much away. Try to start with a surprising statement or image that raises questions and compels the reader to find out more.

The introduction of your college essay is the first thing admissions officers will read and therefore your most important opportunity to stand out. An excellent introduction will keep admissions officers reading, allowing you to tell them what you want them to know.

You can speed up this process by shortening and smoothing your writing with a paraphrasing tool . After that, you can use the summarizer to shorten it even more.

If you’re struggling to reach the word count for your college essay, add vivid personal stories or share your feelings and insight to give your essay more depth and authenticity.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

You don’t need a title for your college admissions essay , but you can include one if you think it adds something important.

Your college essay’s format should be as simple as possible:

• Use a standard, readable font
• Use 1.5 or double spacing
• If attaching a file, save it as a PDF
• Stick to the word count
• Avoid unusual formatting and unnecessary decorative touches

There are no set rules for how to structure a college application essay , but these are two common structures that work:

• A montage structure, a series of vignettes with a common theme.
• A narrative structure, a single story that shows your personal growth or how you overcame a challenge.

Avoid the five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in high school.

Campus visits are always helpful, but if you can’t make it in person, the college website will have plenty of information for you to explore. You should look through the course catalog and even reach out to current faculty with any questions about the school.

Colleges set a “Why this college?” essay because they want to see that you’ve done your research. You must prove that you know what makes the school unique and can connect that to your own personal goals and academic interests.

Depending on your writing, you may go through several rounds of revision . Make sure to put aside your essay for a little while after each editing stage to return with a fresh perspective.

Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your language, tone, and content . Ask for their help at least one to two months before the submission deadline, as many other students will also want their help.

Friends and family are a good resource to check for authenticity. It’s best to seek help from family members with a strong writing or English educational background, or from older siblings and cousins who have been through the college admissions process.

If possible, get help from an essay coach or editor ; they’ll have specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and be able to give objective expert feedback.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding message, flow, tone, style , and clarity. Then, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

• What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
• Whom do you admire most and why?
• What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

In a college application essay , you can occasionally bend grammatical rules if doing so adds value to the storytelling process and the essay maintains clarity.

However, use standard language rules if your stylistic choices would otherwise distract the reader from your overall narrative or could be easily interpreted as unintentional errors.

Write concisely and use the active voice to maintain a quick pace throughout your essay and make sure it’s the right length . Avoid adding definitions unless they provide necessary explanation.

Use first-person “I” statements to speak from your perspective . Use appropriate word choices that show off your vocabulary but don’t sound like you used a thesaurus. Avoid using idioms or cliché expressions by rewriting them in a creative, original way.

If you’re an international student applying to a US college and you’re comfortable using American idioms or cultural references , you can. But instead of potentially using them incorrectly, don’t be afraid to write in detail about yourself within your own culture.

Provide context for any words, customs, or places that an American admissions officer might be unfamiliar with.

College application essays are less formal than other kinds of academic writing . Use a conversational yet respectful tone , as if speaking with a teacher or mentor. Be vulnerable about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences to connect with the reader.

Aim to write in your authentic voice , with a style that sounds natural and genuine. You can be creative with your word choice, but don’t use elaborate vocabulary to impress admissions officers.

Admissions officers use college admissions essays to evaluate your character, writing skills , and ability to self-reflect . The essay is your chance to show what you will add to the academic community.

The college essay may be the deciding factor in your application , especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

Some colleges also require supplemental essays about specific topics, such as why you chose that specific college . Scholarship essays are often required to obtain financial aid .

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You can find all the citation styles and locales used in the Scribbr Citation Generator in our publicly accessible repository on Github .

Essays and Short Answer Prompts

The Penn application process includes a personal essay —which is sent to most schools you apply to—as well as a few short answer prompts . We read your words carefully, as they are yet another window into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world. Through your writing, we get a glimpse of what you might bring to our community—including your voice and creativity. 

Remember, you are the expert on your story. This is an opportunity for you to reflect and understand who you are now, and who you want to be in the future. You have the agency to choose the information you want to share. This is your story: your experiences, your ideas, your perspective.   

A Few Writing Tips

• Review the prompts thoroughly.  Be sure you’re answering the question or prompt being asked. Topics are chosen because the Admissions Committee wants to know specific things about you. If you don’t address them directly, we are left to make decisions regarding your application with incomplete information. 
• Consider your response carefully.  We understand that you may be writing responses for different schools and you may want to reuse material, but be sure to read through your response to make sure it is relevant to the prompt. 
• Double-check your writing.  Give yourself time to revisit your response. Try to avoid rushing your writing process so you have time to revise your work. Ultimately, it is up to you to polish and proofread your writing before you submit. 
• Do your research. Are there classes you’re eager to take? Research opportunities you’d love to pursue? A group or club you want to be a part of? This kind of specificity shows us you’re serious about Penn and have thought about how you’d spend your time here. 

2024-25 Short Answer and Essay Prompts

When answering these prompts, be precise when explaining both why you are applying to Penn and why you have chosen to apply to that specific undergraduate school. Some of our specialized programs will have additional essays to complete, but the  Penn short answer prompts should address your single-degree or single-school choice.  

• Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words, only required for first-year applicants) 
• How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words) 
• The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to the prompt under the “College of Arts and Sciences” section). Considering the undergraduate school you have selected for your single-degree option, please respond to your school-specific prompt below.  

Transfer Essay (required for all transfer applicants): Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (4150 characters) 

Undergraduate School-Specific Short Answer Prompts

For students applying to coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer this question about your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.  

Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global, multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare through advancing science. How will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare and how will Penn Nursing contribute to your future nursing goals? (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Nursing’s mission and how we promote equity in healthcare here . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of our values and how they align with your own goals and aspirations.

The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the  academic offerings within the College of Arts and Sciences .  This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of how the study of the liberal arts aligns with your own goals and aspirations. 

Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues.  Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.  (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about  the foundations of a Wharton education . This information will help you better understand what you could learn by studying at Wharton and what you could do afterward. 

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology here . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of academic pathways within Penn Engineering and how they align with your goals and interests.

Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Program Essay Prompts

For students applying to coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer the program-specific essay below. 

** Numbers marked with double asterisks indicate a character count that only applies to transfer students applying through Common App.  

Discuss how your interests align with the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3575 characters**)

We encourage you to learn more about the DMD: Digital Media Design Program .

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words) 

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing, and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words) 

• Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words) 
• Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words) 

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words) 

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words) 

Sharing Additional Information

To be your own best advocate, you may give our Admissions Committee more context about you by sharing additional information in your college application. While this is not required, it can help give admissions officers a fuller picture of who you are if you are concerned about any missing information or context. Consider the following guiding questions as you decide to share any additional information:

• Is there additional context you want to provide about how your time is spent outside of the classroom?
• Do you have a long commute to school, or responsibilities within your home or community that may prevent you from engaging in certain activities?
• Has there been a big change in your life that has impacted your grades or participation in activities?
• Is there missing context about your school that you want to provide? 

How to Write a College Essay That Works

• By John Schlander

Published May 17, 2024

Millions of high school students apply for college each year, and many have to write at least one college application essay — often several. While writing essays isn’t everyone’s favorite pastime, you can succeed with the right approach. Here’s a guide on how to write effective essays for college applications.

How Do I Write a Good Essay for College?

To write a good college essay, reflect on your valuable traits and unique experiences. Match them with an essay prompt or topic that can showcase the real you. Then, craft an outline with a compelling thesis. Now, you’re ready to write your essay, using vivid examples to support your points. 

The best essay will show who you are and the potential you have. It will demonstrate why colleges should consider you. You should use specifics and examples, not platitudes and generalities. You need to show, not just tell.

The people evaluating essays have limited time. They may read hundreds of essays, giving some less than a minute. That’s why you need to grab them with something memorable that persuades them to place you in the “yes” group.

ChatGPT and other AI tools are not a good path to an effective essay. These tools don’t know you and your experiences, so they write in generalities. Colleges have become adept at identifying these, and many use AI detection tools.

Who Reads Your Essay, and What Do They Want?

Your essay reviewers could include professional readers, admissions officers, and faculty members. As you plan and write your essay, consider how they might perceive it. This is helpful advice in any communication: Consider your audience.

Also, think about what traits that colleges might want in their students. If you have some of those key traits, reflect them in your essay. These could include:

• Drive: Show that you’re motivated to achieve. 
• Curiosity: Show that you’re intellectually curious and seek answers.
• Resourcefulness: Show how you find ways to succeed amid challenges.
• Giving: Show how you serve your community.
• Empathy: Show how you care about others.
• Leadership: Show how people follow your lead.
• Expression: Show how you express yourself effectively.

Types of College Essays

The three main types of college essays are the Common App essay, college supplemental essays, and scholarship essays. 

Here’s a quick rundown of each type of college essay:

• Common App essay: The Common Application , a standardized application used by more than 1,000 colleges, includes an essay known as the personal statement. Students select one of seven prompts to answer for their essay. Students tend to put the most effort into this 650-word essay, though all three essay types play important roles. 
• Supplemental essays: Colleges often require additional essays, usually shorter than the Common App essay. They range from 150 words to 600 words and above, depending on the topic. They typically ask highly specific questions on topics they value as a school, such as service, diversity, or mission. Although some of these essays are short, answering them well is vital.
• Scholarship essays: Many merit scholarships require an essay, although some don’t. So these essays could mean money to help pay for school. 

How to Write a Common App Essay in 10 Steps

1. reflect on your traits and experiences.

A good essay starts with a good idea. If the idea isn’t good, the best writing in the world won’t save it. Think about the traits mentioned above and how you’ve demonstrated them in your life. Reflect on who you are, your formative experiences, and why colleges should want you. Be specific. 

For example, you might say you’re passionate about science, but what have you done regarding that passion? You need to give compelling examples that grab a college reader’s interest. They need to see you as someone they want on their campus.

2. Choose Your Prompt and Topic

Now, review the Common App prompts . Given your traits and experiences, decide which you can most effectively answer. If you’re uncertain, talk it out with a teacher, parent or someone else whose opinion you value.

The topic you choose matters less than your approach to it. You will hear advice to never write about certain things. However, the more important factor is how to reflect who you are and your potential. That said, it can be hard to do that if you choose limiting topics. For example, writing about another person makes it hard to show your traits, experiences and potential.   

3. Organize Your Ideas With an Outline and Thesis

List key points and ideas that help answer your chosen prompt. Arrange them in a logical sequence. Outlining will help you maintain focus and accomplish your goal of a memorable, authentic essay showing why a college should admit you.

Include a concise, one-sentence thesis that is the overarching point of the essay. This will help you to focus on your core intent. 

4. Grab Interest with a Memorable Opening

The opening of your essay should capture the reader’s attention and make them want to read more. Use a hook, such as a vivid scene, realization, or statement that relates to your thesis and sets the tone for your essay.

5. Stick to Your Thesis

Every paragraph and thought should relate to and support your thesis. Don’t include unrelated thoughts or give a laundry list of your achievements. Answer the prompt specifically and memorably. You can list other information in your Common Application.

6. Use Examples to Illustrate and Support

For each point you make, provide specific examples. Details will bring your essay to life and explain who you are. You want to be vivid, not generic. Practiced readers will see the authenticity or lack of it.

7. Create Transitions for Natural Flow

Good transitions connect your paragraphs and ideas smoothly. Use transitional words and phrases to show the relationships between your points and ensure a logical flow.

8. Finish with a Concluding Thought

Your conclusion should reinforce your main points without being overly repetitive. Leave the reader with a powerful thought about who you are and what you hope to become. You might tie back to your opening, even with just a mention. The idea is to make your ending as engaging as your opening.

9. Edit Yourself

Take a break and read your essay with fresh eyes. Does it convey what you planned? Is it within the word limit? Check for grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, flow and clarity. Make it as good as you can. But remember, you’re not done yet. It’s time for feedback.

10. Get Feedback and Adjust Your Essay

Finally, have someone else read your essay — a teacher, a counselor, a parent or a friend. They can provide valuable feedback on how to improve your content, structure, and style. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to refine your essay. 

You might also get professional essay coaching, like Road2College offers . You can get help with editing or coaching from the idea phase through essay completion.

How to Write Supplemental College Essays

Don’t give supplemental essays short shrift. These essays are often short, but colleges expect good responses to the topics they’ve chosen. It’s a mistake to spend all your time on the personal statement and then dash off responses to the supplement essay questions.

Start by reflecting on why the college might be asking the question. It must be about a topic they value, so you must think about how to respond authentically and effectively. Think about your main points and how to support them. 

Then, follow the same steps as for the longer Common App essay.

How to Write Essays for College Scholarships

Many merit scholarships require an essay. Students may tire of writing essays, but these can be worth money. Follow a process similar to that of supplemental essays. Think about what they want to find out from you. Then, consider how you can best respond. If you sound fake or forced, they will pick that right out.

Examples of Good Essays

The New York Times invites students to share their college essays on money, work, and other topics each year, and columnist Ron Lieber follows up with his thoughts on their effectiveness. Here are examples from the past three years. 

• 2021 essays: Standout College Application Essays
• 2022 essays: Standout College Application Essays
• 2023 essays: Standout College Application Essays

Get Essay Coaching from the Road2College Team

Road2College offers essay coaching and Common App reviews . We also offer a bundle of the two services . 

Anyone can benefit from a professional coach, whether you’re at the idea phase or have a completed essay for review. We’re here to help no matter where you are in the process. 

Use  R2C Insights  to help find merit aid and schools that fit the criteria most important to your student. You’ll not only save precious time, but your student will avoid the heartache of applying to schools they aren’t likely to get into or can’t afford to attend.  

👉 Looking for expert help on the road to college? See our  Preferred Partner List !

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Growth: 5 Tips for Writing a Stand-Out College Essay

Here's a helping hand from an essay coach.

In addition to becoming ever-more competitive, applying to college has recently changed in ways that give college essays more weight in the admissions process. 

First, most schools have opted to remain test-optional even now that pandemic quarantines are a thing of the past. Lifting that requirement has opened the field to any student who cannot either score high on their own or with the aid of expensive test prep. That means students with good grades and extracurriculars but low test scores have a greater chance of admission to selective and highly selective (so-called “elite”) schools, particularly if they are strong writers.

Second, in June of 2023, a  Supreme Court ruling ended affirmative action in higher education, leaving students without a means of disclosing their race and ethnicity unless they write about it in their essays. Since most campuses still wish for greater diversity, many schools’ admissions officers wrote new supplemental essay prompts following the ruling, asking students to describe their  identity or community . 

And finally, Chat-GPT has changed the way we look at student writing. A perfectly composed essay with generic observations and stock emotional reactions will seem robotic to some admissions readers. Readers are now looking for students who write with their unique voice, giving an edge to creative students who may not necessarily be the best on paper but can employ strong critical thinking skills and experiment with form.

In this article, I will draw from my personal experience as an essay coach to give you some tips for writing a stand-out college essay. I will also demystify the process and let you know what kind of help is available for you or your child. 

A Brief Overview of What to Expect This Admissions Season

The Common Application , or “Common App,” is the portal where students submit the majority of their college application essays. In addition to hosting the prompts for the personal statement — that all-important 650-word essay required by most schools — the Common App has sections where students submit their test scores, official transcripts, and extracurricular activities. There is also an optional essay in the  “Additional Information” section for students adversely affected by community disruptions. This could be a place to address the Covid lockdowns or other natural disasters that impacted school performance. When students download their list of schools into the Common App portal, the supplemental essays for each individual school will automatically appear as fields in the Common App as well. Not all schools have supplemental essays, making it all the more important that you write an amazing personal statement. 

Not every school uses the Common App. The University of California system, for instance, has its own portal and set of four 350-word “personal insight questions” for students to complete.

Application season officially opens on August 1, when the Common App opens the portal for students to begin submitting applications.  Prompts for the season’s personal statement have already been posted and are available to the public. 

The next big deadline is November 1 (though this deadline varies by school and can be as early as October 15). This is when students need to submit applications for their early decision (ED) and early action (EA) schools. 

Early decision is usually a binding decision — if the student is accepted, they must go to that school — so families should make sure they can afford or are eligible for enough financial aid to attend. Early action, on the other hand, is non-binding. Many students apply to EA when pursuing a competitive major, like computer science, because it conveys a small advantage. 

Unless your school has a rolling deadline, most regular deadlines are in late December or early January; some fall as late as February. Regular admission deadlines are designed to give students enough time to recoup and reevaluate their college list should they be rejected from their ED and/or EA schools. 

Do You (or Your Child) Need Professional Help Writing Your College Essays?

If a student is confident about their ideas and has strong writing and time management skills, writing the essays solo is totally doable. There is a wealth of free information online to help students brainstorm, draft, and write. 

Students who benefit from hiring an essay coach are those who have difficulty making deadlines, have a low opinion of their writing, or want professional advice when applying to elite schools such as U of Chicago, Princeton, and Rice. Neurodivergent students may also benefit from the stability of having someone help chart their progress forward with patience and a lack of judgment. 

Parents who can afford to hire a coach — or whose child qualifies for pro bono coaching — often tell me they enjoy the peace of mind that comes from not spending the fall semester of their child’s senior year nagging them about college applications. 

Essay Specialist vs. College Counselor

Although there is some overlap, there are two areas where students typically seek help when applying to college. An essay coach, or essay specialist, is precisely that — someone with an advanced degree and/or professional background in writing, teaching, or editing who can help students produce strong essays. Essay specialists often assist students with other areas of the Common App, strategizing to make the best use of every section without unnecessary overlap.

A college counselor, whether they work for your school or have an independent practice, is usually a certified or degreed professional with a background in college admissions. They understand the needs of various schools and may have developed relationships with some admissions officers. Thus, they are able to build college lists based on statistical and insider information about the schools, finding a range of good, plausible matches for the student.  

Tips for Writing a Stand-Out Personal Statement 

1. be yourself.

This is by far the most important thing. Admissions readers don’t want to read perfect essays written by model students. Such essays tell them very little about the person who will attend their school. Instead, they are looking to see who you are as a person. Whether you compare your life to Don Quixote's quest or Disney’s Tarzan movie, talk about baking macarons, recount the outfits you’ve sewn, or conceive your essay in the style of an interview set in the future — all actual topics students used effectively — your personal statement should be authentic and written in your own voice.  

While you don’t want to divulge personal information that could make schools nervous about your ability to succeed in college, you should be vulnerable and honest in this essay. It is a place for analyzing motives and reflecting on challenges.  

It can help to brainstorm before sitting down to write. College Essay Guy teaches you how to find symbols in your everyday life with this useful “essence objects” exercise. Finding big meaning through small concrete objects gives you a good place to start. Another good source of inspiration is reading successful college essays written by other students. 

2. Lean into Values

Are you honest to a fault? Does family matter more to you than success? Both of these questions can lead to an essay grounded in values, provided that you find concrete examples to show when honesty got you in trouble, or you chose to put family over personal advancement. Awareness of values not only as a motivating force but also as part of your cultural heritage or social class can give you an interesting angle on viewing your place in the world.

The VIA character survey is a good place to see what you value most.

3. Find a Unique Angle

One of my daughter’s classmates wrote a personal statement that earned him acceptance to Stanford — the admissions officer wrote to tell him — by showing how the lyrics of Taylor Swift songs influenced his development from boy to man. The reason his essay was successful isn’t because he wrote about Taylor Swift. It was successful because he wrote about using a woman’s take on the world to develop his own brand of masculinity and social consciousness.

The more unusual and specific both your topic and your perspective on your topic are, the more effective your essay will be. 

4. Document a Human  Being , Not a Human Doing

Your activities and awards list is where you get to show schools that you were class president or led your team to victory. So don’t make the mistake of recounting your achievements one more time in the personal statement. It’s not a place to showcase what you’ve done but to showcase who you are. This is one of the hardest sells for my high-achieving students, who are so wrapped up in their extracurriculars that they don’t know what else to write about. 

Last season, students who admitted failure, talked about work-life balance , and openly stated that they were undecided outperformed students who were more achievement-focused. 

5. Read Your Essay Aloud and Have Other Readers Look at It

I tell my students they will probably go through 3-5 drafts of the personal statement before they realize their best work. Revising draft after draft can be harder than brainstorming the initial great idea, however, and it is much more frustrating. 

One way to make the revision process easier is to read your own work aloud. You will catch awkward phrases and sentences that don’t make sense more readily this way. By the same token, having other people read the essay and provide feedback is a good way to see if the points you are trying to get across are clear and effective.  

Final Thought

I can’t promise that, if you follow these tips, you will get into the school of your dreams. But you will be better prepared to take on the personal statement, and that’s some of the battle right there. 

Was this article helpful?

Valerie is a freelance writer who specializes in real estate, finance, and business formation. When not writing, she can be found renovating her 200-year-old rental property on the coast of Maine.

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What Do Colleges Look For In An Application? 

The college application process can feel like a high-stakes race, with students vying for acceptance to their dream schools. The pressure to achieve top grades and test scores can be overwhelming, often overshadowing other important aspects of the application.

However, admissions officers are looking for more than just academic superstars. They seek well-rounded individuals who will thrive in their academic environment and contribute to the campus community. So, what exactly are colleges looking for in your application? Let’s discuss the key factors that can make your application stand out.

Table of Contents

Academic Achievement

Your academic record is undoubtedly a crucial component of your application. A strong GPA demonstrates your commitment to learning and your ability to handle a rigorous course load. Colleges typically prefer to see challenging courses, as they indicate your willingness to push yourself academically. However, it’s important to remember that your GPA is not the sole determinant of your academic potential. Colleges also consider the context of your school and the opportunities available to you.

Standardized test scores, such the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, are another piece of the academic puzzle. While some colleges have adopted test-optional policies, many still consider scores as a factor in their admissions decisions. These scores provide a standardized measure of your academic skills and can help colleges compare applicants from different schools and backgrounds.

However, it’s important to remember that test scores are just one data point among many. To fully understand how academics play the factor in college admissions, you should look for the best college consulting services . They will help develop academic and extracurricular activities plans that will place you in a position likely to get an admission. Additionally, they can help you select a college that best fits your academic performance.

Strength of Curriculum

Colleges are interested in your grades and the rigor of your course selections. They want to see that you have challenged yourself by taking the most demanding courses available at your school. This demonstrates your intellectual curiosity and your willingness to go beyond the minimum requirements.

Choosing a strong curriculum goes beyond fulfilling graduation requirements. It involves seeking out advanced courses that align with your interests and academic goals . For example, if you’re passionate about science, you might consider taking AP Biology or Chemistry. If you excel in writing, AP English Literature could be a good fit. By opting for challenging courses, you demonstrate your readiness for college-level academics.

Beyond AP or IB courses, there may be other opportunities to enhance your curriculum. Some schools offer dual enrollment programs, allowing you to take college courses while still in high school. These programs can provide a taste of college-level rigor and potentially earn you college credit. Additionally, participating in independent study or research projects can showcase your initiative and deepen your knowledge in a specific subject area.

Essays and Personal Statements

Your essays and personal statements offer a unique opportunity to share your story and showcase your personality. These written pieces allow you to go beyond the numbers and statistics on your transcript and reveal who you are as an individual. Colleges are looking for authentic voices, thoughtful reflections, and compelling narratives.

When crafting your essays , take time to brainstorm topics that resonate with you. Think about your experiences, values, challenges, and aspirations. Choose prompts that allow you to express your unique perspective and share insights into your character. Avoid generic or clichéd responses and strive for originality and authenticity.

Your writing skills are also important in your essays. While the content is paramount, the way you express your ideas matters as well. Pay attention to grammar, sentence structure, and clarity. Consider asking a teacher, counselor, or trusted friend to review your essays for feedback. A well-written essay can leave a lasting impression on admissions officers.

Extracurricular Activities and Leadership

Your involvement in extracurricular activities provides valuable insights into your interests, passions, and character. Colleges are looking for students who are actively engaged in their school and community. While it’s tempting to list every activity you’ve ever participated in, it’s often more impactful to focus on a few activities where you’ve made a significant contribution.

When showcasing your extracurricular involvement, highlight your leadership roles and the impact you’ve made. Did you captain a sports team, lead a club, or organize a community service project? Explain how your involvement helped you develop valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management. These skills are transferable to college and beyond.

Colleges also value students who demonstrate initiative and creativity. Did you start a new club at your school? Did you launch a fundraising campaign for a cause you care about? Did you design an innovative solution to a problem in your community? Share these examples in your application to demonstrate your ability to take initiative and make a difference.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation provide valuable third-party perspectives on your academic abilities, character, and potential. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths. These could be teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors, or employers.

When asking for letters of recommendation , give your recommenders ample time to write thoughtful and detailed letters. Provide them with your resume, transcript, and any relevant information about your accomplishments and goals. This will help them tailor their letters to your specific application.

A strong letter of recommendation goes beyond generic praise. It should highlight your specific qualities and achievements, using concrete examples. For instance, a teacher might describe your insightful contributions to class discussions, your exceptional writing skills, or your ability to collaborate effectively with peers.

Demonstrated Interest

Showing genuine interest in a college can make a difference in the admissions process. Colleges want to admit students who are genuinely excited about attending their institution. You can demonstrate your interest in several ways.

Visiting the campus is an excellent way to experience the college’s atmosphere firsthand. Take a tour, attend an information session, and talk to current students. If an in-person visit isn’t feasible, explore the college’s website, virtual tours, and social media channels.

In your essays and supplemental materials, express your reasons for wanting to attend the specific college. What aspects of academic programs, campus culture, or extracurricular activities appeal to you? Be specific and connect your interests and goals to what the college offers.

Colleges are looking for students who are not only academically capable but also passionate, engaged, and well-rounded. By focusing on these key aspects of your application, you can present yourself as a compelling candidate and increase your chances of gaining admission to your dream school. There’s a college out there that’s the right fit for you – focus on being your authentic self and showcasing your unique strengths and potential.

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What to avoid in college application essays | College Connection

An important part of the Common Application, which is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, is the personal essay. Students are given six options as prompts, as well as a seventh option which is to share an essay on a topic of choice.  So, students can write about anything at all.

The essay is an integral part of the application, as it is typically viewed by all the schools to which a student applies.  It is the one section where students have the opportunity to share what is unique about them and what qualities they will bring to their future college community.

To make their essay stand out, students should avoid some common pitfalls.

Do not cheat. That means students should not turn to ChatGPT or to another person  to write their essay. This should go without saying but, sadly, it does need to be said. College admissions officers know what the “voice” of a teenager sounds like, and that’s exactly what they’re looking for.

More: Top colleges where 'B' students are accepted | College Connection

Do not write about mental health issues. Although many young people, as well as those in every age group, deal with such issues, it is important not to share that information. Due to privacy laws, colleges are not able to contact parents if students struggle with depression, substance abuse, or any other troubling behavior. Therefore, students should not raise a red flag, or they will most likely find their applications in the “rejected” pile.

Do not be redundant. One’s personal essay is not the place to itemize the extracurricular, volunteer, and work experiences that are all included in the Activities section of the Common App. If there is one activity that dominated a student’s high school experience and is particularly compelling, it can be the topic of the essay. But students must elaborate on how they were profoundly impacted by their engagement. 

More: How where you live affects your college admissions chances | College Connection

Do not recycle successful essays that were submitted by prior applicants. Often, students turn to the multitude of articles showcasing essays written by students who were admitted to Ivy League and other elite institutions. What worked for a prior student will not be effective for another as it’s not their story. It’s vital for students to share their genuine story using their authentic voice.   The key to writing a thoughtful, introspective essay is to start early, carefully consider the story you want to share, and then do so in your very own style.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT ® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362 .

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Jul 17, 2024

Admissions tips: How to write a graduate admissions essay

An admissions essay is a standard part of the admissions application. To help, we’ve curated our top tips on how to write a standout graduate admissions essay.

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Everyone has a unique narrative, and we firmly believe that your qualifications go beyond what can be captured on your resume. But the question is, how will you distinguish yourself from the competition when applying to Johns Hopkins Carey Business School?

What to consider when writing a graduate school application essay The essay portion of the application is your opportunity to broaden our admissions team’s understanding of your abilities beyond what they can see on your transcript and resume. Writing an essay is your chance to share your unique strengths, personal history, journey of growth, and any additional qualities that show you are a strong candidate.

Preparing to write your essay Prior to starting your essay, read all prompts carefully. Take a moment to reflect on your reasons for pursuing a graduate business degree. It may be beneficial to have a pen and notepad at your disposal for this reflective exercise. Think about your personal journey and pinpoint pivotal moments in your growth and learning, then take note of how those moments have shaped you and your experiences, and how they could help guide you through your business school journey. Be sure to also use the correct formatting and avoid adding lists and bullet points to your essays.

Outline your thoughts Once you have a solid understanding of how to convey your personal journey within the context of the essay prompts, the next step is to construct an outline. As you shape the direction and flow of your essay, always keep your audience in mind. Our admissions team reviews thousands of application essays, so it’s crucial to find a creative hook that will make your story stand out.

Don’t overthink As you begin to write your first draft, allow your ideas to flow freely. Don’t fixate on grammar or finding the perfect words at this stage–simply capture your thoughts on paper. You can refine your essay in the second draft.

Step away After finishing your first draft, set it aside for a day or two before returning to edit it. Revisiting your work with a fresh outlook allows for a new perspective. During this second review, tackle the details of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. You might find it helpful to read your essay in reverse order to catch any typos.

Ask for feedback Once you feel your essay is in good shape, it’s highly recommended that you share your draft with an advisor, professor, trusted colleague, friend, or even your recommender. Gaining insights from a trustworthy source can enhance the quality of your essay and assist in identifying any typos or minor adjustments. While editing is an important step, it should not cut out your authentic voice and tone. When identifying a proofreader, make sure to find someone who knows your authentic voice and tone and can edit your paper while still preserving your natural voice and tone.

Finalize and submit You’re almost done! Before finalizing your essay submission, do one last review. Run a spell check and read your essay out loud to yourself. This approach can help you pinpoint areas that might require clarification or fine-tuning. As you review your final draft, be sure that you thoroughly addressed the question on the application.

Keep in mind that the essay portion of the application is your chance to set yourself apart Admissions team members want to hear your authentic voice, with a style that sounds natural and genuine. By sharing your authentic self, and your transformative experiences, passions, goals, and voice, you can leave a lasting impression.

Best of luck with the rest of your application journey!

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Why Is College Important — Why You Should Go To College

Why You Should Go to College

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To answer the question “is college worth it?”, essay should provide persuasive arguments. In today’s world it is primarily essential for a high school student to continue their education to college. However, earning a Bachelor’s [...]

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