3 Tips for Writing the Perfect College Essay

Could you name a harder task than writing a college essay? You’re expected to find a way to express everything about you and your life experiences in a few short words. Writing college essays is one of the most challenging parts of the college application process. Why? It’s extremely difficult to write in a way that characterizes you as a great student while staying true to yourself. After attending many admissions sessions and writing essays of my own, I’ve learned a thing or two from about how to write a college essay. Without further a due, here are my top three tips for writing a college essay you can be proud of! 

Tip #1: Be who you are not who you THINK admissions wants you to be 

Every high school student has imperfections. However, when you try to appear as the “perfect” student, your essays will sound fabricated and shallow. The admissions officer will often walk away feeling like they don’t know you. Which makes sense, that wasn’t the real you: it was who you thought they wanted you to be. Always present the best version of yourself in your essays, but never lose your voice. Don’t write an essay about how you love to study when you don’t. Include all the things that make you unique: your interests, your career aspirations, your passions, your hobbies, etc. Admissions officers need to get to know you. The students at the college you want to attend are not boring, carbon copies of the “perfect student”. They are real people. So just be yourself! 

Tip #2: Pick your themes 

Almost every high school student I know has a lot going on. Whether you’re the president of a club or volunteering in the community, you could write about a lot of things in your college essays. Although you want to be yourself, you don’t want to overwhelm the admissions officers reading your essays. Don’t write about everything you’ve ever done during high school. You don’t have the time or space. Instead, pick a few reoccurring themes that you want to emphasize throughout your essays and application. Think about the main things you want the admissions officer to know about you after they finish reading your essays. Some examples include….

Your passions (this can be anything from football to leadership) Your career aspirations (hint: if you don’t know, don’t highlight this in your essays)A specific experience/accomplishment that has changed your life A volunteer opportunity that you really lovedWho you are as an individual: race, gender, religion, ethnicity, culture, etc. Something that is important to you 

The key here is to choose only three to four main themes for your essays and application. Make who you are and what you want the person reading your application to know about you crystal clear. 

Tip #3: Don’t write about the same thing 

You’ve chosen a few themes and you’re staying true to yourself – now what? Spread the main points you want to make about yourself evenly throughout your essays. Don’t write about the same thing over and over again. Each essay should unveil something new about you or further explain something in your application. For example, I really love being an entrepreneur and plan on including the story of Jan(A+)e Tutoring in my application. But, I will NOT be writing all of my essays about how I am an entrepreneur. They get it already! I have one essay dedicated to entrepreneurship and others discussing other themes of mine such as my love for teaching, soccer, and volunteer experiences. Write your essays strategically so that each essay reveals a new aspect of yourself. 

And there you have it! My top three essay-writing tips for college applications. Just remember to be yourself and focus on telling your story. Happy essay writing everyone!