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wha are some good tips on writing a college essay??
im a junior in high school but i would like to know how i can prepare myself for my college application.
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7 answers
Updated
Tara’s Answer
Hi Jasmin!
I love that you're thinking about writing your college essay! In my experience, the most important thing to do is to reflect on your life and find a time when you were the "hero" in a story. When were you ever at a crossroads in your life and had to make a difficult decision? What was the moment when you realized the depth of the human experience? What is the story surrounding this event? Basically, write a personal story about a time when you experienced significant emotional growth and change. The story should have a beginning, middle, and end. At the start of the essay, you establish your former self, then introduce a series of events that caused some conflict in your life, and then resolve the piece with how you're mindset has changed. Read personal essays on Medium.com and study essay structure. The first paragraph should contain a thesis sentence--a sentence establishing what this piece will be about and the perspective that will be explored.
Good writing reveals something about us. You've written something good if you feel a little vulnerable afterward. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Also, make sure to be authentic. Don't feel like you have to make anything up. The human experience gives us plenty of opportunities to show our resiliency and empathy if we just look for them. Sometimes the most heroic stories are the most relatable ones; for example, being by a loved one's side in their last moments and realizing the impermanence of life.
Once you have a good first draft, go through your essay and focus on making it flow. Review the general structure and make some edits--making sure that it aligns with personal essay structure and the college application guidelines. Then, have an adult read it and give you some feedback. Go back through the document again and make some final revisions. Make sure that everything is flawless before submitting it--no grammar or spelling mistakes.
Best of luck to you! I hope that you get into the college of your dreams!
Brainstorm personal stories from your life
Choose an event to focus on and explore in-depth
Write a first draft--get words on the page
Write a second draft and get a trusted adult to review it
Finalize your essay--make sure it's polished and ready to go!
I love that you're thinking about writing your college essay! In my experience, the most important thing to do is to reflect on your life and find a time when you were the "hero" in a story. When were you ever at a crossroads in your life and had to make a difficult decision? What was the moment when you realized the depth of the human experience? What is the story surrounding this event? Basically, write a personal story about a time when you experienced significant emotional growth and change. The story should have a beginning, middle, and end. At the start of the essay, you establish your former self, then introduce a series of events that caused some conflict in your life, and then resolve the piece with how you're mindset has changed. Read personal essays on Medium.com and study essay structure. The first paragraph should contain a thesis sentence--a sentence establishing what this piece will be about and the perspective that will be explored.
Good writing reveals something about us. You've written something good if you feel a little vulnerable afterward. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Also, make sure to be authentic. Don't feel like you have to make anything up. The human experience gives us plenty of opportunities to show our resiliency and empathy if we just look for them. Sometimes the most heroic stories are the most relatable ones; for example, being by a loved one's side in their last moments and realizing the impermanence of life.
Once you have a good first draft, go through your essay and focus on making it flow. Review the general structure and make some edits--making sure that it aligns with personal essay structure and the college application guidelines. Then, have an adult read it and give you some feedback. Go back through the document again and make some final revisions. Make sure that everything is flawless before submitting it--no grammar or spelling mistakes.
Best of luck to you! I hope that you get into the college of your dreams!
Tara recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time on helping out. :)
jasmin
Updated
Rohini’s Answer
Make sure your grammar and spelling is correct. That is the basic part. Then make sure that your story is pertinent to the topic being asked. Follow the guidelines the college requests. Be authentic and at the same time showcase your experience, your interests and your values, your achievements, the hurdles you crossed and your attitude (how you were persistent, committed, "can do" approach).
Thank you!
jasmin
Updated
Doc’s Answer
SPELL CHECK JASMIN
COLLEGE ESSAY
Admissions committees receive applications from many worthy students with similar scores and grades—so they'll most likely use your essay, along with your letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities, to find out what sets you apart from the other talented candidates.
TELL YOUR UNIQUE STORY
You have a unique background, interests and personality. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.
Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.
You don't need to have started your own business or have spent the summer hiking the Appalachian Trail. Colleges are simply looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add something to the freshman year class.
Start early and write several drafts. Set it aside for a few days and read it again. Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions officer: Is the essay interesting? Do the ideas flow logically? Does it reveal something about the applicant? Is it written in the applicant’s own voice?
No repeats. What you write in your application essay or personal statement should not contradict any other part of your application–nor should it repeat it. This isn't the place to list your awards or discuss your grades or test scores.
Have at least one other person edit your essay. A teacher or college counselor is your best resource. And before you send it off, check, check again, and then triple check to make sure your essay is free of spelling or grammar errors.
COLLEGE ESSAY
Admissions committees receive applications from many worthy students with similar scores and grades—so they'll most likely use your essay, along with your letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities, to find out what sets you apart from the other talented candidates.
TELL YOUR UNIQUE STORY
You have a unique background, interests and personality. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.
Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.
You don't need to have started your own business or have spent the summer hiking the Appalachian Trail. Colleges are simply looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add something to the freshman year class.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice.
jasmin
Updated
ian’s Answer
College Essay Writing Tips:
Use vivid, specific details.
Be genuine—get beyond the superficial.
Be unique, but not bizarre.
Avoid cliches and platitudes; they are boring and unimaginative.
Use vivid, specific details.
Be genuine—get beyond the superficial.
Be unique, but not bizarre.
Avoid cliches and platitudes; they are boring and unimaginative.
Thank you so much, ian!
jasmin
Updated
Grace’s Answer
Hi Jasmin, I have a couple pieces of advice for you. First off, spend time on your essays. Take a look at the application as soon as it opens so you have plenty of time to review the prompts, draft your answer, and review it. Really think about your answers and how they can make you stand out and seem unique. Since you are a junior and have a little time until you will start on applications, you can practice by Google-ing the most common college application essay prompts and writing some practice essays. This might help you take an inventory of your life experiences and skills and how you can mold them into an essay that makes you seem unique. I would also review some articles about the answers you should NOT give in college essays. Something you think sounds great might actually be very common and not impressive to a college admissions board. For example, do no not say your biggest weakness is being a perfectionist. Also, don't send those essays off without having another person read them. Have someone read through it for things like grammar and structure, but also for substance/topic. Lastly, I wouldn't touch ChatGPT in your writing process. I imagine admissions boards are being more cautious of students generating their entire essay via an AI tool. The technologies used to scan writing for the presence of AI generated content still has a ways to go, but it is fully possible it could be used to weed out lazy candidates. Just write your own essay. The point of your essay is for the admissions panel to learn more about you but it also conveys your ability to communicate through writing.
Your essay is the part of the application that you have the most control over so take it seriously, take your time with it, and create an essay that you're proud of. Best of luck!
Your essay is the part of the application that you have the most control over so take it seriously, take your time with it, and create an essay that you're proud of. Best of luck!
I appreciate your support, Grace
jasmin
Updated
Paige’s Answer
I found it really helpful to draft an essay and then step away from it for a bit. Go back to it later and you'll find after reading it that there are areas you want to rework. Once you've done that, get feedback from a few trusted people in your life. That can help hone your writing skills and "voice" in the essay.
Thanks for the help.
jasmin
Updated
John’s Answer
Hello Jasmin,
I found success in my college essays was primarily due to the strength of my argument and the clarity of its delivery. This encompasses aspects such as grammar and sentence structure. In the context of a college admission essay, my advice would be to concentrate on an experience that profoundly altered your prior perspective. This provides a meaningful glimpse into your thinking process for the admissions officer. By showcasing if and how this experience has transformed you, you exhibit your capability to convincingly uphold a thesis.
I found success in my college essays was primarily due to the strength of my argument and the clarity of its delivery. This encompasses aspects such as grammar and sentence structure. In the context of a college admission essay, my advice would be to concentrate on an experience that profoundly altered your prior perspective. This provides a meaningful glimpse into your thinking process for the admissions officer. By showcasing if and how this experience has transformed you, you exhibit your capability to convincingly uphold a thesis.
Thanks for the help.
jasmin