Successful College Application Essays Have These 3 Things
The summer is a critical time for students to get a leg up in building their college admissions profiles. Whether volunteering, taking an online or in-person college course, attending a merit-based academic program, or working on a personal passion project, the additional months of free time allow students to dive deeper into their passions and boost their resumes. If your student is a rising senior, the most important part of the college process they can complete is writing the college essay.
The college essay is the student’s chance to tell their story, showcase their unique personality, and make a memorable impression on the admissions committee. It is a unique piece of writing in its style and form, requiring students to meaningfully convey who they are in only 650 words or less. As such, it can present a daunting challenge to many students. The first step in crafting a meaningful essay is starting early — doing so will allow students the time to experiment with different ideas without feeling the pressure to “get it right” on the first try.
So, what makes for a compelling narrative? Below are three essential components of great college admissions essays:
The story should be authentic and unique.
First and foremost, the essay should be written in the student’s own voice. This is not the time to use overly formal or academic language, try to sound like someone else, or write something they think the admissions officers want to read. Instead, students should embrace their quirks and let their personalities shine through. This is an opportunity for an applicant to showcase their true self, so they shouldn’t shy away from inserting humor if they’re the class clown, references to their favorite films if they’re a cinema buff, or poignant metaphors if they like to write poetry in their free time. Admissions committees sift through tens of thousands of essays during the admissions cycle — an applicant’s unique voice is what will make their essay memorable and separate them from the rest.
In addition, the story should be one that only that student can tell. They don’t have to write about an extraordinary experience or a grand accomplishment — often, the most impactful events in our lives are those that may seem mundane to others. What makes the story compelling is how the teller illustrates its significance. Perhaps it’s a particular moment, a relationship that has shaped their perspective or a struggle that has taught them resilience and perseverance. Whatever it is, students must convey its significance to their growth in their own words.
The story should be focused and clear.
Many students feel the pressure to convey their entire life’s story to the committee in their essay. This is a critical application component, and students understandably want admissions committees to have a full picture of who they are. However, it is impossible to include all of a person’s life experiences, characteristics and nuances in a 650-word essay. Instead, students should focus on providing targeted insight into who they are as a person at their core. When writing their essays, students should consider one meaningful insight they want the admissions committee to know that can not be gleaned from their test scores or activities lists. This will help students to focus on the most important aspects of their stories and avoid getting bogged down with irrelevant details or too much content.
As students write, they should be mindful of how they approach potentially sensitive topics. While it’s important to be honest about their experiences, they should try to avoid dumping trauma or negativity on the admissions committee unnecessarily. Instead, they should focus on how they overcame challenges or how those challenges have influenced their goals and aspirations. Ultimately, the admissions committee wants to see that an applicant is a resilient and motivated individual who has the potential to make a positive impact on their campus.
The story should be cohesive.
Finally, a compelling narrative is cohesive, and should provide continuity from beginning to end. To achieve this, students should begin their essays with a vivid and detailed story that captures the admissions committee’s attention and draws them in. No matter how epic or mundane the story may be, the student should paint an engaging picture from the outset, immersing the reader into their experience through creativity and descriptiveness. The essay should then pan out to provide wider context about the student’s background, experiences, and achievements. Finally, the essay should zoom back in to connect that wider context to the initial story, showing how the student’s experiences have shaped who they are and their candidacy for admission.
As a parent, you can provide the support and encouragement your student may need to get a head start on their essay this summer. Keep in mind that the personal narrative is indeed personal, and your student may feel more comfortable sharing their work with friends rather than family members as they request feedback. If your student does ask for your feedback on their writing, keep these three aspects of strong essays in mind and help them embrace their true self in order to create a compelling and memorable narrative.
For more information on crafting a dynamic and engaging essay, check out Command Education’s guide!
