4 answers
4
Questions
Asked
423 views
How should I write my college application essay?
I'm currently a junior and I want to attend an Ivy League, but I don't know how to write my essays. People say to find something unique that only can happen to me, but I can't seem to find it. I applied and submitted my Questbridge Prep Scholars application, but I feel that my essay isn't good. I've seen those essays on social media and they all seem unique and heart touching.
Login to comment
4 answers
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Cynthia,
Think of your college application essay for Ivy League schools as a unique opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your academic achievements. Focus on being genuine by sharing personal experiences that have significantly shaped your perspective and character. Highlight the lessons you've learned and the personal growth you've experienced. Get feedback from people you trust and revise your essay to make it clear and impactful. Remember, your story is enough, so let your true self shine through. Good luck!
Think of your college application essay for Ivy League schools as a unique opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your academic achievements. Focus on being genuine by sharing personal experiences that have significantly shaped your perspective and character. Highlight the lessons you've learned and the personal growth you've experienced. Get feedback from people you trust and revise your essay to make it clear and impactful. Remember, your story is enough, so let your true self shine through. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Cynthia
Updated
Karen’s Answer
You have already demonstrated having initiative by asking this question. Because EVERYONE is unique, you can probably come up with a list of talents and skills that make you who you are. With that list think about any experiences you have had where you have used those skills. If that doesn't work, start volunteering at a variety of places then write about your experiences in giving back. Focus on what you've learned and how you plan to use that in the future. Things like understanding various cultures and living conditions can set you apart from others. Serve a meal to the homeless, help out for a day at a food shelf or a living assisted center.
When you have a draft of your essay, ask your parents, favorite relative, neighbor or friend to take a look at it and make suggestions. You could even write about your thoughts on Everyone being unique and how that view impacts your choices and acceptance of others.
With every good wish and many blessings,
Karen
When you have a draft of your essay, ask your parents, favorite relative, neighbor or friend to take a look at it and make suggestions. You could even write about your thoughts on Everyone being unique and how that view impacts your choices and acceptance of others.
With every good wish and many blessings,
Karen
Thank you for giving me advice.
Cynthia
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Good for you for thinking ahead, Cynthia. I have helped students write college admissions essays for close to 20 years. The key is not the "what" but what you did with the experience. The "what" could be an everyday experience if you saw it in a different way and did something with your new knowledge.
Start with the Common App prompts and see if one inspires you more than the others. Then write points you could include in the answer. Share your idea with people who know you well to see if it makes sense to them and if they have anything to add. Give yourself time to show the essay drafts to people you trust and revise, if needed.
It may be difficult to do, but try to enjoy the process. This is an opportunity to show admission officers who you are and how you think. In the process, you can learn more about yourself. The vast majority of admission officers are reading sympathetically, not to find reasons to eliminate people.
Good luck!
Start with the Common App prompts and see if one inspires you more than the others. Then write points you could include in the answer. Share your idea with people who know you well to see if it makes sense to them and if they have anything to add. Give yourself time to show the essay drafts to people you trust and revise, if needed.
It may be difficult to do, but try to enjoy the process. This is an opportunity to show admission officers who you are and how you think. In the process, you can learn more about yourself. The vast majority of admission officers are reading sympathetically, not to find reasons to eliminate people.
Good luck!
Thank you for the advice, Martha.
Cynthia
You're welcome - feel free to ask further questions as you progress.
Martha Kramer
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
When writing your college application essay, especially for Ivy League schools, it’s important to approach it with authenticity and reflection. The advice to find something unique that only happens to you can be daunting, but remember that uniqueness isn’t about having an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime story. It’s about showcasing *your* perspective, experiences, and values. Instead of focusing on what makes your story stand out compared to others, think about what moments in your life have shaped you—whether it's small everyday interactions, challenges you’ve faced, or even personal growth moments that may seem ordinary on the surface. What matters most is how you reflect on these experiences and how they reveal your character, passions, and aspirations.
Since you've already applied to Questbridge Prep Scholars, take time to reflect on why you feel your essay wasn’t as strong as you'd hoped. Were you holding back from sharing something personal? Did you feel like your voice didn’t come through? Don’t be discouraged by social media essays that seem perfect—what resonates in a college essay isn’t just a dramatic story, but honesty and the ability to convey growth, resilience, or curiosity. Ivy League schools value authenticity, so your essay should be a genuine reflection of *who you are,* not who you think they want you to be.
Focus on a theme or moment that speaks to your inner motivations. Maybe it's a lesson learned from a challenge, an inspiring conversation, or even how you’ve handled personal struggles. Remember, your essay doesn’t need to have a “wow” moment; it needs to show the admissions committee your depth of thought, maturity, and how you will contribute to their campus community.
Take your time, rewrite, and seek feedback from trusted mentors. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for an honest portrayal of the person you are becoming. That's what will make your essay compelling and memorable.
Since you've already applied to Questbridge Prep Scholars, take time to reflect on why you feel your essay wasn’t as strong as you'd hoped. Were you holding back from sharing something personal? Did you feel like your voice didn’t come through? Don’t be discouraged by social media essays that seem perfect—what resonates in a college essay isn’t just a dramatic story, but honesty and the ability to convey growth, resilience, or curiosity. Ivy League schools value authenticity, so your essay should be a genuine reflection of *who you are,* not who you think they want you to be.
Focus on a theme or moment that speaks to your inner motivations. Maybe it's a lesson learned from a challenge, an inspiring conversation, or even how you’ve handled personal struggles. Remember, your essay doesn’t need to have a “wow” moment; it needs to show the admissions committee your depth of thought, maturity, and how you will contribute to their campus community.
Take your time, rewrite, and seek feedback from trusted mentors. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for an honest portrayal of the person you are becoming. That's what will make your essay compelling and memorable.