How to Write a College Essay  

Your college application essay, whether for the Common App or supplemental essays required by specific schools, is one of the most important components of your application. It’s your chance to showcase your writing skills, creativity, and depth of insight. 

In a sea of academic transcripts, test scores, and financial aid forms, a standout college essay allows you to truly shine as an individual and leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee. The essay writing process often begins with brainstorming, where you can explore unique aspects of your personality, experiences, and aspirations that aren’t reflected elsewhere in your application.

A standout college essay has several critical elements:

• A personal topic that explores your life and experiences  
• A well-constructed narrative with a clear structure
• A creative, polished writing style.
• Evidence of meaningful self-reflection

Why do you need a standout college essay?

It’s no secret that the college admissions process is highly competitive. With thousands of applicants vying for a limited number of spots, your essay is a powerful tool to set you apart from the crowd. A well-crafted essay demonstrates your command of language and provides valuable insights into your personality, values, and aspirations.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

College admissions officers seek well-written essays that reveal something meaningful about the applicant. They want to better understand your identity beyond your academic achievements and extracurricular activities. 

A great college essay should:

• Showcase your writing abilities and intellectual curiosity
• Offer a unique perspective or life experience
• Demonstrate self-awareness and personal growth
• Highlight your passions, motivations, and values
• Reveal aspects of your character and personality

Here are the steps for writing a college admissions essay:

Start organizing early

The key to crafting an outstanding college essay is to begin the organization process well in advance. It’s recommended to start during the summer before your senior year. This will provide ample time for brainstorming, writing, revising, and receiving feedback.

While individual timelines may vary, aim to dedicate at least 1-3 weeks to brainstorming and drafting your initial essay, followed by 2-4 weeks for revisions across multiple drafts. Remember to factor in breaks between the writing and editing stages to refresh your perspective.

Create an essay tracker sheet

To stay organized and on track, create an essay tracker sheet. This simple tool can help you manage multiple essay prompts, deadlines, and word count requirements. Include columns for the college/university name, essay prompt, due date, target word count, and a notes section for ideas or outlines.

To streamline the process, consider utilizing our complimentary College Essay Tracker template on Google Sheets. This handy tool will help you stay organized and on schedule throughout the essay development journey.

Choose a unique topic

While some college essay prompts may be straightforward, others can be broad or open-ended. In either case, choosing a topic that allows you to showcase your individuality and personal experiences is essential.

What makes a good topic?

A compelling college essay topic should be:

• Unique and personal: Avoid generic topics or overused clichés.
• Meaningful and insightful: Share a pivotal life experience or lesson learned.
• Focused and specific: Narrow your scope to a particular event or aspect of your life.
• Relevant and engaging: Connect your topic to your goals, values, or future aspirations.

Brainstorming questions

To help identify potential essay topics, ask yourself these thought-provoking questions:

• What experiences have shaped who you are today?
• What challenges have you overcome, and what did you learn from them?
• What are your passions, interests, or goals, and why are they important to you?
• When have you stepped out of your comfort zone or taken a risk?
• What values or beliefs do you hold dear, and why?

How to identify your topic

Once you have a list of potential topics, evaluate each based on uniqueness, relevance, and emotional impact. Start the brainstorming process by either reflecting on your positive qualities first and then recalling anecdotes that showcase those qualities or by recounting memorable life experiences and then determining the personal values or traits those stories exemplify.

Consider the stories or experiences that resonate most deeply with you and showcase aspects of your personality or character that admissions officers may not get from other parts of your application.

Outline your college application essay

Before writing, create a detailed outline to organize your thoughts and ensure a cohesive structure. There are several approaches you can take when outlining your college essay:

Vignettes structure

This approach involves weaving together multiple short, vivid vignettes or anecdotes that collectively illustrate a central theme or message about yourself.

Example outline for vignette essay

Topic: My Journey to Becoming a Nutritionist 

Introduction: Setting the scene for an interactive museum exhibit called “Nutrition for Life,” where I am the curator, welcoming visitors to explore the path that led me to this field.

Sight

• Story: Watching family members struggle with obesity and diet-related illnesses  
• Lesson: Realizing the profound impact nutrition has on physical health and quality of life

Sound  

• Story: The crunch of fresh vegetables being chopped for dinner by my grandmother
• Lesson: Appreciating the simplicity and joy in preparing wholesome meals

Smell

• Story: The aroma of turmeric, garlic, and spices wafting from my mom’s kitchen  
• Lesson: Understanding the cultural connections and comforts found in food traditions

Touch

• Story: The smooth texture of a ripe avocado contrasted with the roughness of its skin
• Lesson: Discovering the nuances in selecting and preparing fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients  

Taste

• Story: Finally enjoying the satisfying flavors of a salad after years of a processed food diet
• Lesson: Empowering myself by expanding my palate to nutritious whole foods

Conclusion: As the museum curator, I thank visitors for joining me and teasing an upcoming exhibit: “My Career Path,” which explores my studies, internships, and vision for holistic nutrition counseling.

Single story structure

Alternatively, you can structure your essay as a cohesive narrative that unfolds chronologically or thematically.

Example outline for narrative essay

Topic: How My Chronic Illness Inspired My Pursuit of Medicine

Situation: Describing my life as an active, healthy teenager before being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition.

Challenge: Detailing the initial struggles – missed school, hospitalizations, painful symptoms, feelings of isolation from friends and activities I loved. Uncertainty about my future.

Turning Point: Meeting an empathetic doctor who took the time to explain my condition, included me in treatment decisions, and restored my sense of control sparked my interest in healthcare.

My Reactions: I am pouring myself into research about Crohn’s and medicine, volunteering at hospitals, joining a support group connecting with others battling chronic illnesses, and discovering a new purpose.

Insight: Though my dreams of being an athlete were derailed, I found an even greater calling – to become a doctor who treats the whole patient compassionately. My illness gave me resilience, depths of empathy, and the driving motivation to make a difference in people’s lives through medicine.

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your chosen structure, brainstorm creative ways to weave in powerful insights, lessons learned, or character arcs that showcase your growth and self-awareness. Consider how your experiences have shaped your perspectives, values, or goals and how you can convey these insights in a compelling and authentic way.

Common Insight	Unique/Creative Insight
Overcoming an injury → Perseverance and determination	Overcoming an injury → Redefining my sense of identity beyond athletics
Caring for an elderly relative → Developing compassion and patience	Caring for an elderly relative → Confronting fears about mortality and fragility
Learning a new language → Expanding cultural awareness	Learning a new language → Discovering the nuances of cross-cultural communication
Starting a new job → Adapting to challenges and new responsibilities	Starting a new job → Questioning societal norms of the workplace
Becoming a parent → Sacrificing for family and finding deeper purpose	Becoming a parent → Awakening to the enormity of shaping a new life
Surviving a natural disaster → Resilience in the face of adversity	Surviving a natural disaster → Forging unbreakable bonds with my community
Moving to a new city → Gaining independence and self-reliance	Moving to a new city → Shedding preconceived notions of a place
Losing a loved one → Grief and regaining strength	Losing a loved one → Realizing my mortality and embracing the present

Start with a memorable introduction

Your introduction is your chance to hook the reader and set the tone for your essay. A captivating opening can distinguish between an admissions officer eagerly reading on or losing interest after the first few lines.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

One effective strategy is to open with an intriguing hook or attention-grabbing statement that piques the reader’s curiosity and entices them to continue reading.

Example

The smell of burnt rubber lingered in the air as I stared at the mangled remains of my first car, a twisted heap of metal that moments ago had been my prized possession.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Alternatively, you can draw the reader in with vivid sensory details or evocative imagery that transports them directly into the scene or experience you’re describing.

Example

The crisp autumn breeze whispered through the vibrant canopy of leaves, carrying the faint aroma of wood smoke and the distant laughter of children playing in the park.

Write like an artist

While strong writing mechanics and grammar are essential, a genuinely captivating college essay should read like a work of art, engaging the reader’s senses and emotions.

Show, don’t tell

Avoid simply stating facts or listing accomplishments. Instead, use descriptive language and sensory details to paint a vivid picture and immerse the reader in your experiences.

Example

Instead of: I worked hard to overcome my shyness.

Show: My heart pounded like a jackhammer as I gripped the microphone, scanning the sea of expectant faces. With a deep breath, I forced the words out, one by one, feeling a newfound confidence with each syllable that left my lips.

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

Don’t be afraid to share personal struggles, fears, or moments of vulnerability. Honesty and authenticity can forge a powerful emotional connection with the reader and leave a lasting impression.

Example

As the doctor’s words echoed in my ears, a wave of fear and uncertainty washed over me. In that moment, I realized how fragile life truly is, and how the dreams and aspirations I had taken for granted could be snatched away instantly.

Use appropriate style and tone

While creativity and vulnerability are encouraged, maintain an appropriate style and tone for a formal application essay. Avoid overly casual language, slang, or inappropriate humor. Your writing should be polished, engaging, and reflective of your intellectual and emotional maturity.

Craft a strong conclusion

Just as your introduction sets the stage, your conclusion should leave a lasting impression and provide a sense of resolution or closure.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

One effective technique is to bring your essay full circle by revisiting the opening hook or anecdote and tying it back to the central theme or message you’ve conveyed throughout the essay.

Example

A newfound sense of gratitude washed over me as I stood amidst the twisted wreckage of my first car. At that moment, I realized that the true value of our possessions lies not in their material worth but in their lessons and experiences. The scars and dents that once marred the sleek exterior of my vehicle now served as reminders of the resilience and determination that had carried me through that harrowing ordeal – traits that would undoubtedly shape my journey ahead.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

Alternatively, you can conclude by revealing a powerful insight or epiphany gained from your shared experiences and linking it back to your goals, values, or aspirations.

Example

As the final notes of the symphony faded into silence, I realized that true artistry lies not in perfection but in the ability to convey emotion to touch the hearts and souls of others through one’s craft. At that moment, I knew that my passion for music extended far beyond the pursuit of technical mastery; it was a calling to inspire, uplift, and connect with others through the universal language of sound and melody.

Revise and receive feedback

Writing a standout college essay requires multiple rounds of revision and feedback.

Respect the word count

While it’s important to convey your message effectively, be mindful of the word count or page limit specified by the college or university. Admissions officers often have to review hundreds or thousands of essays, so adhering to the prescribed length demonstrates your ability to follow instructions and communicate concisely.

Check your content, style, and grammar

After completing your initial draft, thoroughly review your essay for content, structure, style, and grammar. Ensure your ideas flow logically and your language is precise, vivid, and error-free.

Get feedback

Seek feedback from trusted individuals, such as teachers, counselors, or writing mentors. An objective perspective can help you identify improvement areas, clarify confusing passages, and refine your overall message.

College admissions essay checklist

Before submitting your essay, review this checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the essential elements:

✓Have you chosen a unique and meaningful topic that showcases your personality and experiences?

✓Does your introduction captivate the reader and set the stage for your essay?

✓Have you effectively shown, rather than told, using vivid descriptions and sensory details?

✓Have you demonstrated vulnerability and authenticity, revealing aspects of your character or personal growth?

✓Have you created an outline to structure your narrative and highlight unique insights within common experiences?

✓Is your writing style and tone appropriate for a formal application essay?

✓Does your conclusion leave a lasting impression and provide a sense of resolution or insight?

✓Have you respected the prescribed word count or page limit?

✓Have you thoroughly revised and proofread your essay for content, structure, style, and grammar?

✓Have you sought feedback and incorporated constructive suggestions?

How Long Should a College Essay Be?

A typical college application essay is usually 400-600 words long (about 1-2 pages). However, some colleges may have specific word count requirements, so you must check the application guidelines for each school you apply to.