Tips for Writing a College Application Essay

The personal essay is one of the most important parts of a college application. Most other parts of the application quantify your abilities as a student, but the essay gives you a chance to be creative and show a different side of you to the college admissions team. It also gives you a chance to show off your writing skills and make your application stand out from the pile of other similar applications. It is important for you to invest time and thought into the essay so that the essay shows off your abilities to the largest extent possible.

How to Choose A Topic

Choosing a topic for your application essay is the first, and arguably, the most important step. The common application and most colleges allow you the freedom to write on any topic you choose. The focus of your essay will give the college admissions teams a general idea of what is important to you.

When deciding what to write about, think about all the important influences on your life. These influences can be particular moments, people, places, things, or activities. It is helpful to think about why those particular influences are so important to you, and how they will continue to affect you as you move forward with your life.

When I was applying to college, I wrote about a particular moment I had when I was volunteering in India. On my last day, one old woman took hold of my hand and thanked me for helping. Until that moment, I hadn't known the woman spoke any English at all. In my essay, I wrote about the significance of that moment to me, and how it helped shape the way I thought about my goals in life and my career plans.

Your topic should be about something important to you. Remember that the word limit is usually pretty low, so it is best to pick one very specific topic rather than a larger topic that would require a longer explanation.

What Topics To Avoid

Your essay should be a personal essay, so make sure the essay is about something in your life. This is not a regular academic essay, so don't write an analysis of Plato's metaphor of the cave.

Also try to avoid clichéd topics as much as possible. The college admissions teams are probably sick of reading essays about how Barack Obama is the applicant's hero. Try to find something that is more unique to you and will help you stand out from the crowd.

How to Edit Your Paper

The editing process should take you significantly longer than the initial writing process. After you write your first draft, you should go over the paper several times and check for spelling and grammar mistakes. It is a good idea to print out a copy of your essay and read through it, editing with a red pen. I found it easier to catch mistakes when I was reading a printed copy than reading my essay on the computer screen.

Recruit as many people as you can to look over your essay and make suggestions to you. I found that many people were willing to spend time with me discussing how to improve my essay. Ask your English teacher, your college counselor, and a few friends and family members. Tell them you want them to critique your spelling and grammar as well as your topic, voice, and writing style. You don't need to take any advice they give you; if the change would make you feel uncomfortable or disingenuous, ignore it. However, other people can often catch mistakes and point to suggestions that you would never have noticed or thought of on your own.

Once you have finished editing, go over your paper a few more times to check for typos. Once you feel your college essay is as good as it can be, you are ready to send it off to the college admissions office.

Sources:

Personal Experience