With summer in full swing, it’s easy to forget about the upcoming school year. For many rising seniors across the country, there’s only one thing on their mind: college applications. And with that, the college essay. Regarded by some as the most challenging component to the application, this writing sample keeps many students up at night.
The struggle to fit a perfect description of yourself into 500 words can feel overwhelming. In today’s College 101 feature, we help remove some of the mystery behind the college essay. With these helpful tips, you’ll find that 500 words aren’t so scary after all.
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What’s the Point?
Between standardized tests and a transcript with four years’ worth of grades, you may wonder why colleges even have an essay component on the application. Though grammar, sentence structure and narrative ability are important, the purpose of the college essay is to give you an opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about yourself. Are you funny? Witty? Introspective? Can you rhyme in iambic pentameter?
These aspects of your personality don’t show through grades alone. The essay is your chance to tell your story, and show why you would be the perfect addition to their college. If you have experienced any hardship or extreme circumstances during your time in school, the essay is a place for you to share that with the Admissions committee.
What Should I Write About?
Every institution has its own set of criteria for the college essay. If you already know which schools you plan to apply to, go online and become familiar with their writing prompts. This preparation can give you a huge advantage. Many colleges will allow you to write on a topic of your choice, while others simply ask you to tell more about yourself or why you want to attend their institution.
Finding the right words to describe yourself may not seem as easy as choosing a historical figure to dine with, but that’s okay. Your subject of choice should help give a more complete picture of who you are as a person, and should show what you’re passionate about. It will be easier to show your personality by choosing a topic that has meaning to you.
Before You Submit
The best place to start is with the writing prompts. Look at the options for each school or the choices provided by the Common Application if that’s how you’re planning to apply. This way, you can see if any applications have prompts with similar themes. Admissions counselors know that most students are applying to more than one school, but if you’re not careful and submit the wrong essay to the wrong school, it could hurt your application.
Submitting documents online has helped prevent this problem, but you should always double check the file before you hit send! Similarly, when using the Common Application, make sure to indicate all schools that should receive your essay–without it your application may be marked incomplete and your decision delayed.
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Anthony Muccio is a former college admissions professional and education researcher currently advising students one-on-one with his private practice. After years working at large state and small private schools, he decided to spend time focusing on helping unique learners reach their full potential.
