Standardized test scores, transcripts, and entrance exams – the application process when entering college is stressful enough with all of these requirements in check.
But another key element when applying for college is the college essay. It’s a written essay required by most colleges.
For many students, crafting the college essay is quite stressful. For one, there are no definite rules or formula on how to go about this. How do you highlight your professional and personal goals effectively? And why should the school admit you above other applicants?
The open-ended nature definitely makes it trickier to succeed at.
Furthermore, college essays, sometimes also known as personal statements, vary in length, depending on what the institution is requesting for. You may just need a couple of paragraphs for one school, and come up with a primary essay plus supplemental pieces for another.
For prospective college students applying in competitive programs, knowing how to write a college essay is a must. It may be the key to tie all your application documents together and be the difference between being accepted or turned down.
Different Prompts Colleges Ask
Before we go to helpful strategies on how to craft your best college essay, let’s look at common questions or prompts that universities and colleges tend to request applicants.
Personal history
Colleges often want to know more about what drives you, or what type of background has shaped you into who you are right now. Hence, they would ask about a key event, role model, or experience from your life. When writing a personal narrative, it helps to focus on one specific point or person that’s truly meaningful for you instead of citing too many experiences that might get your point lost.
Problem-solving strategy
Pursuing higher education is rarely a walk in the park. You will encounter many challenges academically and socially, in which you would need solid problem solving skills. Admissions committees therefore, want to understand how you deal with certain challenges. The key here is to go deeper about a particular problem or failure you have experienced. Then, show how you adjusted your mindset and actions to address the situation. Show that you are equipped to deal with real life curveballs in a balanced way.
Diversity
In college, you get to interact with students and faculty from a wide range of backgrounds. You would then have to be open to learning and engaging with a diverse group of individuals. Be prepared to answer college essay prompts that help colleges see that you are able to relate to people who have different value systems, beliefs, and practices than you.
Goals and aspirations
College admissions and graduate schools want the most driven and forward-looking students to be a graduate of their institution someday. Therefore, they determine in the application stage which individuals have long-term goals and how they will strive to actualize those goals. This is sort of a statement of interest combined with statement of purpose. You’ll come across this type of question when applying for a specialized program or transferring to a program.
Reasons for applying
Often, colleges that require more than one essay ask the question, “Why choose us?” as a prompt for the supplemental essay. This shows admissions committees what motivation you may have for applying to that particular school. Whatever reason you write about, whether it’s about the prestige, quality of the program, or suitability for your needs, make sure that you write this per school. Don’t treat it as a one-off for your application to several schools.
Top Strategies on Writing Your college essay
While there’s no hard and fast rule in writing a college essay that secures you a slot, there are certain considerations to help you get started on the right track. Here are key ways on how to write an essay that stands out from the pack:
Read and follow the prompt and instructions
Instructions on how to start a college essay largely depend on the school. Some colleges give detailed instructions on how it should be written and what question the essay should answer, while others simply request a one-pager. In any case, make an effort to write your college essay for each school or each program you apply for. Sure, it’s easier to just write a single essay to send across different schools, but if it waters down your chances of securing a slot, then it might not be the best move for you.
Be honest
College admissions committees review thousands of applications, and if one thing could set you apart from the rest, it would be your courage to show something deeper about yourself. Remember, this is your chance to explain the why’s – your SAT scores and admissions test scores may reflect the objective figures, but your college essay essay shows the subjective details about you and your college plans. Whatever topic you pick, make sure that you are able to address the prompt and show how or why that event or experience is relevant to who you are right now. Say for instance, the prompt wants you to write about an experience where you failed at something and what you have done about it. You could share a curious tidbit about a botched hosting gig due to nerves, or an embarrassing experience with family. In this context, honesty doesn’t mean you have to share your reckless teen adventures; what you have to do is acknowledge that something (e.g. a skill or hobby) was difficult for you. And then you could write about what you did to change that failure into something else.
Share personal experience, but stay focused
Granted that you are able to be honest about your experiences, it also pays to keep your essay focused. Try to make it into a story that does not digress into other unrelated events or topics. And don’t summarize your entire life either. Tell your journey; when did you first know that you wanted to pursue this field? What experience with inspired this trajectory? So for your law school college essay, don’t simply say that you want to go because you want to help people. Instead, share your story about an important community project you helped be approved. Or how you watched your aunt work and live dignified as a judge for four decades. When you tell your personal story as opposed to just saying that you wish to pursue a career in a field, it becomes more engaging to the reader. You are able to go beyond just the figures on your SATs.
Make your goals clear
Your past experiences have undoubtedly shaped your present, but just as your past is instrumental, so is your outlook on the future.
Your college essay should be clear about what you plan to do and how the program will help you achieve those plans.
By being clear about how you will use the knowledge and skills learned in college later on in your career, you are able to explain what value you can give back to the world once you graduate.
Be eloquent
While college essays don’t necessarily require that you be a literary genius to be able to succeed, it helps to be quite prudent about your writing. Stick to using your own voice – like you are conversing, but in a clearer and more eloquent way. Focus on clear (error-free!) and concise language. Don’t use fancy and highfalutin words if you don’t know their meanings anyway. Be mindful of form. Any superficial errors in spelling, grammar, format, and printing signifies that you may not have fully prepared for the task. And if you really want to have the best output, start writing your draft early so you have time to revise. You may need to cut off chunks within your essay. And some even choose to rewrite the whole thing! Hence, having enough time for writing and reflection is the best way to come up with a college essay to help you land the college of your choice.