If you’re in high school and feel intimidated by the college application process, you are definitely not alone. Not only do you have to narrow down the schools you want to apply to, but you need to assemble a wide variety of documents, such as your transcript, test scores and teacher recommendations. One of the most important parts of your application, however, is your college essay. Here are some tips on how to write an impressive essay so you can feel more confident in your application.
Writing the Essay
A key section of the Common App, a standardized college application accepted by over 1,000 private and public universities across the globe, is a 250–650-word essay. The section offers multiple writing prompts to choose from as well as the option to choose a topic of your own. Some colleges will also ask you to answer supplemental questions along with an essay, but the writing process for both is relatively similar.
As you consider potential topics, make sure to choose one you’re comfortable writing about and that “speaks” to you in some way. Oftentimes, you can use an anecdote from your life to frame your essay, as the Common App prompts are usually open-ended and self-reflective. When you have your topic, take some time to think about your approach, putting any ideas that come to mind on paper—you may not use all of them, but writing them down is a way to get your creativity flowing.
Once you’ve collected some solid thoughts on paper, start to think of a thesis, or main theme, around which to build your essay. Then, refine and organize your notes into an outline that includes an introduction, body content and a conclusion. Be sure to connect each idea back to your thesis, supporting your arguments with examples when you can.
Once you’ve completed your outline, you’re ready to write. First, try to think of an engaging hook for your introductory paragraph. One way to think of a captivating intro is to ask yourself, “If I were evaluating this, what would make me want to continue reading?” After you’ve crafted your introduction, start fleshing out the body paragraphs. Here are some things to remember as you write:
- Write from the heart and tell the story you want to tell. Your goal is to have your own unique voice come through to the college admissions officers who read your essay, so they can gain a better understanding of what motivates you.
- Be concise. Remember, you only have 650 words to work with. Strive to get your ideas across through quality rather than quantity.
- Conclude by tying everything together. Restate the original points of your thesis and summarize your arguments.
Proofreading and Editing
Once you have a draft, it’s time to proofread and edit it—well, almost. It’s best to give yourself a day or two before you go back and review your draft. When you do, look for spelling and grammatical errors as well as other ways you can improve your essay, such as areas where you can be more succinct or descriptive, and make changes as you see fit.
While it’s critical to review your own work, it’s important to bring in a second set of eyes as well. As the writer, you’re very close to your words (and have seen them over and over), and someone else may find errors or areas of opportunity you didn’t notice yourself. Ask a trusted friend, family member or teacher to read your essay and give feedback. Once you’ve made edits again, see if your appointed proofreader would be willing to give it another read.
Before you send your essay off to the colleges you’re applying to, read it once more yourself. Make any last-minute adjustments you think of, but don’t overthink—be confident in your work. This is your creative outlet, so don’t be afraid to be yourself!
Find Your Fit Can Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your college essay or the college application process in general, we’re here to help by offering one-on-one college coaching through our Find Your Fit program. The leader of this program, Laura Lucarelle, has a diverse background in school counseling and will guide you through your entire college application. She’ll conduct several detailed reviews of all of your materials, including your essay!
Want to learn more? Reach out to us today.