How to Write the College Essay: Tips for Success!

You’re diving into the daunting world of college applications, checking off your grades and extracurriculars (check!). Piece of cake, right? But then comes that pesky college essay, looming large on your to-do list. You might be thinking, “This feels like a job for ChatGPT!”

The college essay is your chance to craft a self-portrait for admissions committees, a moment for your personality to truly shine. It can be challenging, yes, but also incredibly rewarding—worth the effort for your own growth and expression.

As the essay prompts seem to glare at you from your application pages, anxiety can creep in and add to the stress. About 50% of students consider the college essay the toughest part of the application process. Even the most skilled writers grapple with questions like, “What do they want to see?” “How can I make myself stand out?” and especially in recent years, “Should I share personal experiences that have shaped who I am?”

If you’re feeling this way, rest assured, you’re not alone. Crafting a compelling essay is no small feat, especially with the high stakes of college admissions. However, by writing a powerful essay that beautifully complements your other credentials, you have a fantastic opportunity to shine. Let’s explore why colleges value these essays in the first place and get started on your writing journey!

The Role of College Essays

Despite the stress that college essays can bring, they serve a crucial purpose for admission officers: helping them learn more about you. Here’s what they’re really looking for:

• Writing Skills: Your essay should showcase your command of language, your grasp of grammar, and your ability to convey ideas concisely. Do you have a clear thesis statement supported throughout the essay? Is the writing authentically your own?

  
  

• Analytical and Reflective Thinking: Admissions officers want to dig deeper than just the facts of your application. They’re interested in your capacity for critical thinking. How do you process information about yourself and the world around you? What matters to you? Which experiences have shaped who you are? Your college application essay should illustrate how and why these experiences have influenced you.

  
  

• Creativity: Remember, your college essay isn’t just another assignment for a grade—it’s your chance to make a memorable impression. Think of it as a form of artistic expression. Just like an artist uses a variety of brushstrokes and a rich color palette, you can use language, literary techniques, and punctuation to communicate meaningful messages. As the creator, you have the freedom to shape your narrative. What story will your art tell? How will it reflect who you are?

  
  

• Risk-Taking: Risk-taking can elevate your writing from the ordinary to the thought-provoking. When done well, it adds depth and insight to your presentation. Your willingness to be vulnerable can demonstrate a level of self-confidence that admission officers appreciate, especially as they consider your potential fit within their competitive environment.

  
  

• Revealing the “Invisible You”: Much of what you’ve achieved academically and personally is likely detailed in your application. However, the true essence of your character, personality, and compassion often lies beneath the surface. A compelling essay provides readers with this insight, moving beyond your résumé to showcase your unique personality.

  
  

College Essays Reveal a Sense of Purpose

You may be wondering: How do you start off a college essay? Kick off your essay by revealing the purpose of your writing (and your college goals).

Admissions officers are seeking students who are purposeful in their pursuits when choosing among highly talented students. They see a ton of candidates who are attracted by the fame or prestige of their institutions, who may simply be applying to see if they can get in. Such candidates, regardless of their credentials, are not very compelling and are easily dismissed.

Selective institutions often employ supplemental essay prompts to sort the whimsically submitted applications from those that are more intentional. The applicants who hold attention longer are those who can clearly express a sense of purpose. They know what they want to accomplish in college, how they can best accomplish it, and understand the instructional elements of the institution that speak to their objectives and learning styles. They can clearly demonstrate the synergy that exists between themselves and the institutions in question.

As you prepare your supplemental essays, focus on:

• The things you want to accomplish: Why is college important to you? What are your objectives? If you have a specific academic/career interest, how can you prove it? What do you know about the discipline? If you are uncertain about your academic/career direction, do you recognize—and can you articulate—the value of a broadly-based educational experience?

  
  

• The manner in which you like to engage in learning: We don’t all process the same information the same way, and colleges don’t all deliver it in the same manner! Know your learning style. This is especially true if you are an experiential, hands-on learner who values testing ideas. Be prepared to provide evidence of this learning style in your supplemental essays.

  
  

• Proving the synergy: Selective colleges are most interested in students whose sense of purpose is illustrated in their recognition of compatible learning opportunities on their campuses. When they ask “Why do you want to come here,” they are not interested in knowing whether you can recite their institutional superlatives. Rather, they want to see if you have made the conscious connection between your sense of purpose and the opportunities that exist within their educational environment.

The Next Step: How to Write a Compelling College Essay

Colleges want to read essays that truly reflect who you are as a person. The stakes are high, especially if you're aiming for highly selective institutions, so here are some tips to help you craft a personal statement that ties your application together thematically:

1. Resist the Temptation to Buy the “Best College Essays” Book: Doing so may lead to “paralysis by analysis.” Remember, the brilliance of your essay lies within you, not in someone else’s writing. Focus on your own unique storyline.

   
   

2. Use College Essay Prompts as Guides, Not Requirements: Many students get bogged down by choosing a prompt and forget to start writing. The prompts are there to inspire creativity, not dictate your topic. Concentrate on the key messages you want to share and develop a storyline that captures them. Chances are, your essay will resonate with at least one of the prompts.

   
   

3. Don’t Restate Information Already in Your Application: This is your chance to provide insight and interpretation. Essays that simply reiterate résumé details offer little value. What story does your résumé miss?

4. Focus on Your Experience: While experts may advise against common topics like sports, death, or divorce, if you've had a deeply personal experience within these themes, share how it has impacted you. If writing about it brings up painful memories, consider seeking support from a trusted person before proceeding.

   
   

5. Find the Story Within the Story: Metaphors can effectively frame key messages. If you've identified themes or messages in your application, think about moments of revelation or clarity that reflect your developing perspective.

   
   

6. Reveal—Don’t Just Tell: Instead of reciting the facts of your life, guide the reader between the lines to understand you as a thoughtful individual.

   
   

7. Demonstrate Synergy Between Yourself and the Institution: For the common “Why do you want to attend here?” essay prompt, reflect on your research or campus visit experiences to show how you align with the institution’s culture.

   
   

8. Be Measured and Concise: While complex sentences can be useful, simplicity often has a greater impact. A series of short, punchy sentences can powerfully convey emotional messages.

   
   

9. Allow Paragraphs to Be Your Friends: An essay presented in long paragraphs is not only hard to read, but it can obscure key messages. Break paragraphs with each new thought. A one-line paragraph can sometimes be more impactful than longer ones.

   
   

10. Avoid Overuse of “I”: Don’t start sentences with "I" more than necessary. It’s assumed you are the author.

    
    

11. Eliminate Unnecessary Words: Check for words like “that” and remove them if not needed. Similarly, avoid dangling prepositions and unnecessary adverbs.

    
    

12. Write in the Active Voice: Active voice is more direct and engaging. For example, “She is a great mentor” is clearer than “A great mentor, she is.”

Make a Good Essay Great!

Finally, when you think you are finished with your essay, dare to make it great! Try reducing your word count by 10%. Doing so will force you to examine every word. Then, have someone read it out loud to you. Hearing the words will allow you to catch any mistakes or awkward phrasing.

Your college counselors, ehm, North American Tutors, can help you refine your essay as well. Good luck!