What to know before, during, and after writing a college admissions essay

Before you start writing

Here’s what you need to know before writing your college admissions essay:

• Understand the purpose. Colleges know grades and academic awards aren’t the only way to determine who’d make a good student. They look at admissions essays to discover unique facets about you that they can’t learn in the rest of your application.
• Read the instructions. Take time to carefully read the application directions. Stick to the word count requirements to demonstrate your reading comprehension and ability to follow instructions. Is there a specific prompt? If so, answer the question and don’t deviate off topic unless you clearly tie your writing back to the prompt.
• Choose a good topic. Sometimes you can submit an essay on any topic you wish. Other colleges provide a few prompts to foster creativity amongst their applicants. Choose a topic that prompts a meaningful story, for which you have specific examples, and demonstrates your best qualities.
• Create an outline. Outline your essay before you start writing. Lay out the prompt, hook, story, conclusion, and specifics to include throughout. Planning out your essay format ahead of time maintains your focus on the prompt and guarantees you won’t forget important points throughout the piece.

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During your drafting

While writing your admissions essay, paint yourself in a positive light and showcase how you will make an impact both at school and after graduation someday. Follow these tips while you work:

• Answer the prompt. Don’t stray off topic. Stick to the prompt so you can show that you can read, comprehend, and follow directions. Also, limitations foster creativity—you may surprise yourself by what you’ll come up with when sticking to a certain topic.
• Focus on yourself. A college essay is the perfect medium to show off how spectacular you are. Don’t make a teacher, parent, or your dog the focus of your essay. You are the hero of your own story.
• Provide specific details. Show, don’t tell. Use concrete examples and language throughout the piece to make a bigger impact on the reader. For example, “I entered the race even though everyone told me not to” tells a reader more about you than writing abstractly and metaphorically with, “I am not afraid to go against the grain.”
• Tell a story. Humans learn best through storytelling, your college admissions board included. Whether your story centers on one specific event with a clear beginning and end, or you write on a few different examples to tell a broader story, bring your reader on a journey.
• Reveal why you’re unique. You are different from every other human on this planet. There’s no one else like you. Share what makes you stand out from all the other applicants out there.
• Showcase your personality. Don’t use formal diction; this is not a research paper. It’s a creative essay and you are the star. If you’re not used to writing casually, pretend you’re a character in a novel encouraged to share emotion throughout.
• Exhibit your passion. In addition to your personality, share what you truly believe in and hold near and dear to your heart. If you’re passionate about recycling, showcase your frustration when people don’t recycle and your joy when people do

With all of this said, don’t do the following:

• Fake it
• Include grades and test scores
• Highlight a life of privilege
• Be cliché
• Insert grandiloquent quotes
• Repeat yourself

Think about what a college admissions member would love to read about you and put it on paper.

After

After you complete your college admissions essay, take time double check everything.

Reread the instructions and make sure you provide exactly what the application asks for. Similarly, proofread your essay so every sentence is grammatically sound. If possible, get a second set of eyes to look it over too. It would be a shame if fixable grammar mistakes stood between you and your dream school. Finally, respect the deadline and submit the college admissions essay on time.

You have the experience and tools at your disposal to write a real stand-out college admissions essay. Stop procrastinating and get started.