12 Tips for Writing College Essays
- Dane Copeland
- Dec 1, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: May 22
Do:
Like a fingerprint, sharing a story from your distinct viewpoint in a way no one else could ever write will leave your imprint and define your essay as yours. You are a one-of-a-kind original. Take the time to brainstorm topics and ideas you want to share to help the admissions committee see you.
Write in your 17-year-old voice. While humor can be entertaining, sarcasm and slang do not always translate. Including words and phrases you use daily and how you speak will make your essays sound like you.
Remember who your audience is. Think of your essay as a way to invite them into your world. Admissions representatives are well-read essay readers with limited time. They've read 1000s of essays, so avoid cliches and overused metaphors. Do the originality check. If the story you are thinking about writing: a) reminds you of something you have read, b) you heard that a senior two years ago wrote about that topic, or c) falls into the 'how you were changed by volunteering on a service trip' category, think twice about writing what may be a well-worn story.
Be specific. Include details. Make your story tactile (think five senses). Draw your admissions reader into your world. Writing big ideas can work if you ground them in concrete examples.
Be confident. You can write your essay. Think of your essay as an interview on paper. What do you want schools to know about you? Tell the admissions representatives your story.
If you need support, find someone you trust with expertise in college essays and who has the time to help- - that could be a high school college counselor, a writing workshop professional, an online essay expert, or an essay coach. Determine if you need one or multiple reviews to ensure you have the support you need and are not left out in the cold during application season.
When finalizing your essays, read them out loud. Check for spelling, grammar, details, and sentence flow. Spell-check does not catch everything. Have someone put a second set of eyes on your essays for spelling, typos, and grammar before submitting them. Typically, most seniors find someone other than their parents to do a final read.
Don’t:
If you write about a challenge, shift the focus to the steps you took to overcome or address the problem. An essay about a challenge is a moment to show your resilience, grit, and character.
Avoid typical tropes: the final seconds in the championship game, writing about a family member (admissions representatives want to learn about you, not Auntie Jo), or even what you learned from Harry Potter. While Harry Potter books are a cherished book series for an entire generation, tread carefully when choosing how to write about your connection to them, whether it's what you learned about raising dragons from Hagrid or the bias Hermione experienced as a Muggle, and how it relates to your life. Writing your defined perspective in a meaningful way is part of the challenge and will ultimately distinguish you from the crowd.
Strong verbs, interesting nouns, a smattering of adjectives, and correct punctuation can create momentum and rhythm in a story. What usually falls flat is indulging in the temptation of the thesaurus. If you don't use a word in daily conversation, college essays are not the time to insert a $10 word. The caveat--if you do have a robust vocabulary, corral your desire to build a cornucopia of over-written sentences, and be sure to include space, pauses, and punctuation that lets your reader soak in the complexity of your essay and who you are.
It will be tempting to brainstorm with your family. You live with them. They have known you your entire life. They may remember a particular story that they feel defines you. There are ways parents and family members can support you, but ultimately, you should decide what story to tell and your essay to write; this is your time to shine. Admissions representatives want to hear your authentic voice, not a fabricated or branded version of yourself - and after years of reading essays, they can tell the difference.
While your early focus will be developing your essay, ideas, and choosing word choices to convey your thoughts, avoid off-color words that undercut what you're trying to say. Finally, remember to proof, proof, proof.
Looking for more tips and inspiration to help you start your college journey? dream.search.apply.A Field Guide for an Inspired College Journey is packed with insights and resources to help you navigate your college path, and is available to order online and coming soon to your local bookstore.
Know someone starting their college journey? Feel free to share or connect us at dane@collegeu.solutions
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