This section contains five examples of good college essays.
Good topics when writing college essays include personal achievements, meaningful lessons, life-changing challenges, and situations that fostered personal growth. It's best to avoid anything too intimate or controversial. You want to open up, but it's not a good idea to go overboard or alienate members of the admissions panel.
Most colleges provide open-ended prompts. Using the topic as inspiration, think about critical milestones or essential lessons you learned during your academic career. Tell stories about real-life experiences that have shaped the person you are. Write them down to brainstorm ideas. Choose stories that highlight your best traits. Read the prompt and essay instructions thoroughly to learn how to start off a college essay. Some colleges provide guidance about formatting. If not, the best course of action is to stick with a college standard like the MLA format. Good writing skills matter, but the best college essay is about the quality of your response. Authentic stories in a natural voice have impact. The story you want to tell about yourself will work better for you if it’s told in language that’s not overly sophisticated. Work with a writing coach for help with the academic aspects. Make responding with substance a priority. Because you'll want to tailor each application to each school, expect to write multiple personal essays. Advisers typically recommend starting these pieces during the summer before your senior year of high school. This will give you ample time to concentrate on writing a college essay before you're hit with schoolwork. Knowing what to include in a college essay is half the battle. Admissions teams look for many things, but the most influential are authenticity, writing ability, character details, and positive traits. The purpose of the essay is to shed light on your background and gain perspective on your real-world experiences. Learning how to write a successful essay for college is crucial. This essay's exact weight on your chances of acceptance varies from one school to the next. But it's an element of your application that all admissions teams consider. Your essay could be the thing that gets you off a waiting list or gives you a competitive edge over other applicants.
How to answer all your college essay prompts in less time:
Independence is convenient, and strength endures, but sacrifice is the most powerful of all. And that’s what I see every time I look into my mother’s eyes. The moment she laid eyes on me, the moment she knew she was going to do it alone, she gave me her life. I was the first priority, always. She ensured my safety, she ensured my happiness, my growth, my knowledge, everything. I can never repay her, nor begin to thank for every opportunity she gave me. But I’ll never forget it because I can see it every time she looks at me. The pride or the love or perhaps the occasional eye-rolling.
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Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are essential. Proofread several times after you've finished. Then ask a teacher, parent, or college English major to give it a quick read as well.
This is a college essay that worked for .
Also, avoid stressing about trying to write what you think colleges want to see. Learning how to draft a good essay for college is about showcasing who you are. Stay true to your voice. Keep in mind that authenticity is more important than anything else.
This is a college essay that worked for (UPenn).
Writing college essays isn't about using flowery or verbose prose. Avoid leaning too heavily on the thesaurus to sound impressive. Choose a natural writing style that’s appropriate for the subject matter.
College application essays can seem really freaky and daunting.
I learned strength from her mouth: her tight lips and the slight smirk. It was the mouth that held in the tears, held back the bitter words, and held up her chin. It was the mouth that kissed me as a child and smiled at my curiosity, despite the divorce, despite the cheating, and the lies. She raised me on her own. She was strong and stubborn. To this day, I don’t understand how she managed to care for infant, maintain a career, pay bills, and never miss Sunday night’s dinner. But the strength that she possessed, that she still possesses despite the heartbreak, the abandonment, and the responsibility. Strength in the face of challenge, strength when there’s nothing to support you—is invaluable.
Follow these steps to craft a strong college essay that stands out.
A personal essay for college applications is an opportunity for admission admissions panels to get more insight into who you are and what you have to offer. It's often the most personal component of the application, going beyond grades and standardized test scores. Essays usually have open-ended prompts, allowing you to flex your writing skills and make a personal statement.