To write a good college application essay, start by brainstorming what you want to highlight, turn that list into an outline, and write a quick first draft. Then stay honest, revise, ask someone for feedback, and proofread before you send it.
For a young college hopeful, applying to college is very stressful. The number of forms and the amount of information you must provide is one reason for that stress, but the thought of writing an admissions essay plays a big part as well. The following tips should help you manage the stress and write a great essay.
1. Brainstorm
The first thing to do when you write an essay for college is to spend a few minutes brainstorming. Staring at a blank page can be daunting, so do not start there. Start with a brainstorming session instead, and make a list of the things you would like to highlight. The list should include your best personality traits, your strengths, and the highlights of your high school years. Remember to include activities outside of school as well, such as volunteer work, jobs, and groups you were part of. When it is time to start writing, you will already have some key points to start with, so the page will not be blank.
2. Create an outline
Once you have a list of the things you want to highlight, turn it into an outline. Make sure that the structure of your outline covers any specific questions or directions in the instructions for the application.
Most general college application essays have three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
- The introduction is a single paragraph that introduces you, and the rest of your essay, to the reader.
- The body is the main part of your essay and is several paragraphs long. It should have one overriding theme, and this is where you include the examples you came up with while brainstorming.
- The conclusion is a summary of one paragraph.
For more on how an essay is built, read how to write an essay.
3. Write the first draft
When you start writing your essay, just focus on getting your thoughts down on paper, even if you are not happy with how the writing is going. Your first draft probably will not have the best words or the organization you want in the final version, but it will usually capture your best ideas.
So write the first draft quickly and capture those ideas. You can go back later and fine-tune the wording and the structure.
4. Be honest
It might be tempting to stretch the truth about your achievements, or even about your opinions. Too often, college applicants get caught up in writing what they think the admissions officers want to hear, instead of presenting themselves as the individuals they are.
5. Revise your essay
Once you have finished the first draft, review what you have written. Go back to your original list and make sure you have found a way to include everything you wanted to say.
During this review, also find and fix any problems and improve the writing of your admissions essay.
6. Get feedback
Even though a college essay can be quite personal, it is still a good idea to have someone else read it before you finish it. After several hours with the same ideas and topics, you can develop a blind spot. Someone else can read your essay with a fresh eye and will spot gaps or problems that you missed.
7. Proofread and spell check
The very last thing you want is to spend hours on an essay that shows who you are and why you would make a great college student, only to have it spoiled by a misspelling or a typo. Check your essay with the Spell Checker, then read it once more yourself to make sure that every detail is right. A proofreading checklist helps you cover everything.
With these tips, you are on track to write a college essay that stands out.