Writing the Essay

Writing the college essay can be a daunting experience for many students, even those who feel they are good writers. Many students believe they haven't done anything important to discuss, or can't think of a topic.

Start by jotting down some possible ideas for essay topics. Try to spin them into a few paragraphs. Add more ideas and eliminate those that don't seem to be leading anywhere. Keep adding topics until one or two stand out as possibilities. This is a process and not a single assignment. This will take some work and lots of drafts. Don't get discouraged! Your English teachers will help guide you along.

The essay helps a college become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. Colleges are looking for an essay that will help them get to know you better as a person and as a student.

Here are some tips to help you with the process.

  • Be yourself. By all means, let your personality shine through and let the reader get a clear picture of your individuality and uniqueness. If you were to give your essay anonymously to a teacher, he or she should be able to say that only you could have written this essay.
  • Try to give the reader a glimpse of yourself that he or she has not already seen on your transcript or resume/brag sheet. Don't reiterate things already readily apparent from your application.
  • Follow the prompt instructions to the letter. Be mindful of the topic, word limit, directions, etc. Make an effort to eliminate unnecessary words.
  • Make sure your grammar and punctuation are appropriate and proper.
  • Do not recycle essays from one school to another due to laziness. This is not a "one size fits all" exercise. However, you may incorporate a few ideas from an essay already written to include in another.
  • Complete as many drafts as necessary to ensure a "winning" essay.
  • Make sure that your thesis is evident to the reader. Be concise and to the point of the message you want to convey. Develop the main idea with specific facts, quotations, examples, and reasons. Let the idea unfold in the details. Show, don't just tell. Ask a friend to read the essay and make sure he or she is able to reiterate your main idea.
  • Be honest so that your essay will ring true. Write from the heart and your passion will shine through.
  • Do not use "big" vocabulary words to try to convey your intelligence or impress the reader. Use the appropriate wording and language for your particular writing style. The essay should be "your voice," not someone else's. That voice should be young and fresh, not the voice of an adult.
  • Never write a term paper. The reader wants to know about you, not the thoughts of others. Similarly, if the prompt asks you to talk about someone who has had a lasting influence on you, don't spend the entire essay describing that person. He or she isn't the applicant! Instead, talk about the effect this person had on you and why.
  • Do not be afraid to be amusing if that fits your writing style and personality. But don't force humor into the essay if it's not appropriate.
  • Give your topic choice much consideration and remember that the admissions office wants to learn as much about you as possible. This is your "blank sheet" and a great opportunity to discuss yourself apart from the limiting format of the application.
  • Once you select your topic, stick to the subject matter at hand and do not let your thoughts wander. However, it is advisable to step beyond yourself and show an understanding of pertinent issues that relate to your topic.
  • Do not seek input from too many people with differing opinions. Your essay will become convoluted and disjointed. Additionally, you may lose the important component of your voice.
  • Make sure you proofread your essay again and again to check for any omissions, misspellings, errors, unnecessary information, redundancies, etc. Get parents or friends to also proofread the essay.
  • Do not try to play it safe just to stay within your comfort zone. Think about the responses of the other numerous applicants and try to place your own personal stamp on your essay.
  • Remember exactly who your audience will be. Most likely, it will be either professionals who have read hundreds of essays over the years, or recent graduates who are young.
  • Never appear to feel sorry or pity yourself.
  • Never come across as begging for admission.
  • If there are any red flags you fear the admissions committee already knows, this may be a good place to explain events or occurrences. Remember, however, that the point of the essay is to reveal positive things about you.

Resources

For additional information about writing your college essays, go to: