How to Write a Stellar College Application Essay

The college application essay is your opportunity to show admissions officers who you are outside of your grades and test scores. This is your chance to tell your story and make a good impression. Here are some tips for writing a good stellar college application essay.

1. Let the Essay Set You Apart

The college application essay is your opportunity to set yourself apart from the other applicants. Admissions officers read hundreds of essays, and they are looking for something special in each one. This is your chance to show them who you are as a person, not just a student. Write about something that is important to you, and make sure to include your unique perspective.

College essays are often very boring. To avoid this, don’t write about something that everyone has written about. Don’t use clichés or trite phrases. Be original and creative. This is your chance to stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.

2. Tell a Story

Your essay should tell a story that reveals something about who you are. A personal story is always more engaging than a dry list of accomplishments. Admissions officers want to see that you can communicate effectively and tell a compelling story. 

Choose an event or experience from your life that has helped shape who you are, and write about it in detail.

3. Be Honest

Admissions officers can tell when an essay is genuine, so be honest in your writing. Don’t try to impress them with false information or embellish the truth. They are looking for students who are real people, so write about yourself in a way that is authentic and true.

4. Write About Something That’s Important to You

The best essays are usually about something that’s important to the applicant. It may be a memory, a person, a book, or anything that has influenced your life. 

Be honest and authentic. don’t pick a topic just because you think it will make you look good. The admissions officers will be able to tell if your essay is contrived. Don’t be afraid to get personal and write about what matters to you.

5. Don’t Rehash Your Resume

Your college application already contains your resume. The admissions officers already know about your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. They don’t need to be repeated in your essay. Write about something else that will give the admissions officers a sense of who you are.

6. Learn from the Experience or How it Changes You

When you write about something that was important to you, talk about how it affected you instead of just talking about the story. How did it change or challenge your beliefs? What did you learn from the experience? This is what will make your essay stand out from the rest. What did you learn? How did you change? 

Admissions officers want to see that you’re able to reflect on your experiences and that you’ve matured as a result.

7. Put yourself in the Shoes of an Admissions Officer

What would you like to see in an essay? The admissions officers are looking for a few things in your essay:

• They want to see that you can write well. This means having good grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It also means being able to express yourself clearly and concisely.
• They want to see that you can think critically and analytically. This means being able to understand and explain complex ideas.
• They want to see that you’re engaged in the world around you. This means being involved in your community, being curious about the world, and having interesting hobbies and interests.
• They want to see that you have a sense of who you are. This means being able to articulate your values and beliefs.

8. Keep it Focus

With so many things competing for the admissions officer’s attention, you need to make sure that your essay is focused and clear. Don’t try to cover too much ground or write about everything that’s important to you. Choose one specific topic and write about it in detail. This will make your essay much more powerful and memorable.

9. Use Your Voice

Your college application essay is your chance to tell your story. It should be personal, engaging, and interesting. This is your chance to show the admissions officers who you are, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.

Use your own voice and your own experiences to write an interesting and unique essay. Don’t try to imitate someone else, be yourself. The admissions officers will appreciate it.

10. Show Your Passion

The admissions officers want to see that you’re passionate about something. This could be anything, your studies, your extracurricular activities, your hobbies, or your personal beliefs. Whatever it is, make sure that you’re passionate about it. This will make your essay much more powerful and memorable.

11. Use Concrete Details and Examples

Don’t just tell the admissions officers that something was important to you, show them why it was important. Use concrete details and examples to help them understand what you’re trying to say. This will make your essay more memorable and engaging.

12. Be Clear and Concise

It’s important to be clear and concise in your essay so that the admissions officers can easily understand your argument. Don’t try to cram too much into your essay. The admissions officers will be able to tell if you’re rambling. Stick to the point and make your argument effective.

13. Start Early and Write Several Drafts

One of the biggest mistakes students make when writing their college application essay is to wait until the last minute and then try to write it all in one sitting. This is a recipe for disaster. A better approach is to start early and write several drafts.

The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to get the ideas down on paper. You can then go back and edit it later. The key is to start early so that you have time to revise and make improvements.

Another common mistake is to try and write the essay in a single sitting. This usually leads to a messy and disorganized essay. It’s better to break the essay into smaller sections and work on one section at a time.

Once you have the first draft, read it over carefully and make any necessary changes. Then set it aside for a while and come back to it later with fresh eyes. This will help you catch any errors or awkward phrasing.

After you’ve made all the necessary changes, it’s time to write the final draft. This should be a polished and perfected version of your essay. Make sure to proofread it carefully before submitting it.

14. Edit, Edit, Edit

Your college application essay should be polished and free of errors. Don’t rely on spell-check alone, get someone else to read over your essay and offer feedback.

Once you’ve written your essay, it’s important to edit it. This means reading through it carefully and correcting any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. 

It also means making sure that your essay is clear, concise, and well-organized. Don’t forget to proofread. A well-written and well-edited essay will be much more effective than one that is rushed and full of errors. 

Final Thought

The college application essay is your chance to show the admissions officers who you are. Make sure you take the time to edit and proofread your essay before you submit it. A well-written and error-free essay will give you a much better chance of being admitted to the college of your choice. Good luck!