Top 5 Tips for Writing your College Essay

For those of you struggling to start or finish your college essay, here are some tips to help you create your best writing. 

1. BRAINSTORM

This is perhaps one of the most overlooked steps in the process, but it is perhaps the most important. I tell my students to get started by making a list of significant events from their lives. You should also ask friends and family as sometimes they remember things you may have forgotten. “But my life is boring,” is a popular response. No one has a completely boring life. We are all unique and what may seem common to you may not be so common after all. And it is not just the big things that count. Small events and minor experiences can have a big and lasting impact. This is your chance to tell your personal unique story, so spend a significant amount of time, thinking about possible stories. 

2. OUTLINE AND JOT NOTES ON A FEW TOPICS

For each topic that you have come up with, make an outline and write notes about each. This will help you explore each idea and will help you narrow down your choices. This is also a very important step because you don’t want to waste time writing half an essay, only to realize you don’t like where it is going. So save yourself time and regret by thoroughly exploring several ideas. 

3. RECORD YOURSELF ORALLY 

Often students tell me, “I don’t know what to write.” But when I tell them to explain to me what they want to write about, they end up orally reciting an essay without even realizing it! So I encourage each one of you to first record yourself telling your story (your essay). You will be surprised by how quickly you can type up your essay once you listen to yourself. 

4. SHOW YOURSELF

Make sure your essay shows yourself. Don’t get carried away in details that do not show your character and personality. Your essay should reflect who you are. This is your chance to show admissions officers your real profile. 

5. DON’T LOSE YOUR VOICE TO OVER EDITING

Sometimes students ask teachers, parents, friends, and counselors to look at their essays and then they end up with over edited essays. It’s great to get other opinions and to have others help you with editing, however, know when to stop and when to reject certain suggestions. Your essay is your chance to have your voice heard. Do not lose that “voice”, it’s what makes your application personal.