Even if the school uses the Common Application, they're likely to ask additional materials such as a college essay, letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, etc.
Why do colleges want me to write an essay?
Many colleges and universities ask applicants to write a personal essay, usually about 300 to 500 words in length that supports their application. It's a way for the admissions officer to get a sense of who you are personally.
How do I know what to write my college essay about?
| Here are a few tips to help you get started. |
- Write about yourself. Use your own voice. Admissions officers want to get to know you, so be sure whatever topic you choose gives your personality a chance to shine through.
- Stay focused. It's easy to cover too many topics, but the essay is usually fairly short. Give the reader an in-depth look at one project or passion.
- Be yourself. Admissions officers have seen it all. They just want to read something authentic.
- Think about your influences. Many college essay questions probe into what has influenced the applicant. This doesn't have to be an earth-shattering experience that changed your life. Often it could be describing a person who shared great advice, or even a book or piece of artwork that shaped your world view.
- Consider a mundane topic. An essay doesn't have to be about a life-changing event to be interesting. Sometimes the simple things in life will give the reader insight into who you are.
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Dos and Donts of writing college essays
| Do |
- Tell an engaging story with clear focus.
- Show your personality. The best essays reveal something about the writer's passions and personality. For example, a thoughtful essay on the most difficult time in your life tells admissions reps more about you than a list of honors you've achieved.
- Proofread your work, or better yet, ask someone else to read it through. It's very hard to proofread your own work.
- Ask for constructive feedback. See if a parent, teacher, counselor, or other trusted advisor will read your essay and share practical advice to improve upon it.
- Show me, don't tell me who you are. For example, don't tell me that you're an empathetic person. Show me through your story.
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| Don't: |
- Use cliches and other overused phrases. (ex: dream come true, thinking outside the box, this made me a better person, etc.)
- Just include a list of your accomplishments and activities. Colleges want to see more than a list. They want to know that you're a good citizen.
- Rely on "how to" books. They're fine to help you come up with essay topics, but they tend to be formulaic.
- Write about anything too controversial. It's usually a good idea to steer clear of divisive religious or political topics.
- Repeat what's in your application. Admissions officers want more than a laundry list of your accomplishments. They want to know what kind of person you are. Share something they wouldn't know from reading your application.
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