How to Write a College Application Essays in 2024
Forget the myth that college admissions are all about grades and test scores! Those are important, sure, but there’s another factor that can make your application shine: a well-written college essay.
This essay is your chance to break away from the pack and show who you really are. It’s your narrative, your voice, and your opportunity to convince admissions officers you deserve a spot on their campus.
Wondering why this matters even more now? Many colleges are going “test-blind,” meaning test scores hold less weight. This means your essay holds even greater power! This blog will provide you with strategies to craft an essay that stands out from the crowd. We’ll talk about brainstorming ideas, structuring your story, and using your unique voice.
How Important is the College Application Essay?
Your high school transcript shows how well you performed in classes, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. College essays are important because admissions committees, especially at selective institutions, want to see beyond grades and test scores. They’re looking for a well-rounded applicant who will contribute to their campus culture. Your essay is your chance to show your experiences, personality, values, interests, and activities outside of academics.
While universities consider various factors like GPA and recommendations, a strong college essay can truly set you apart. If your grades and test scores fall within a similar range as those of other applicants, an exceptional essay can be the tipping point. A 2018-19 study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling reinforces this point: over 56% of admissions counselors reported that their institutions place significant weight on the essay during admissions decisions. The study also reveals that private and highly selective colleges tend to value essays even more.
Even if essay writing isn’t your forte, there are ways to improve! Before you start applying, consider reading narrative nonfiction to hone your storytelling skills. Additionally, online platforms like Coursera offer courses dedicated to memoir and personal essay writing. Don’t hesitate to seek help from professional writing tutors or college admissions consultants like Yocket. Familiarizing yourself with common college essay mistakes can also save you time and effort in the long run.
Which Matters More: College Essay or GPA?
GPAs are a crucial factor in college admissions, but they’re not the only story. Each school has its own evaluation process, and typically, both your GPA and your college essay are part of the equation. Thousands of students with comparable GPAs, course rigor, and test scores apply to the same colleges. This is where other application components, like your essay, become crucial. A good GPA demonstrates academic ability, but it doesn’t necessarily make you special. Other factors, like your essay, show your personality, experiences, and aspirations—the “soft skills” that can differentiate you from the crowd.
Strong grades can get you on the shortlist, but an uninspired essay can hinder your chances. On the other hand, an exceptional essay can set you apart from academically similar applicants, tipping the scales in your favor.
Read Also – Weighted Vs Unweighted GPA: What’s the Difference?
How to Make College Essays Unique?
Teenagers face a challenge in crafting unique college essays due to their limited experience in life. However, focusing on authenticity is a winning strategy. Your essay should be an honest expression of your voice because that itself is what makes you unique.
Admissions officers sift through countless applications annually. They’ve likely encountered most topics before. So, choose a theme that reveals who you are, not one you think will impress them with forced originality. Researching personal statement topics can help you identify aspects that resonate with the specific college and its values.
Standing out often backfires. Essays written in an unusual voice or poetic structure can feel inauthentic. Instead, focus on a topic that shows your personality and how you’ll contribute to the college community, both academically and through extracurricular involvement.
Read Also: 7 Outstanding Common App Essay Examples 2024
How Long Should a College Essay Be?
Word limits vary by application system. The Common App, for instance, allows a maximum of 650 words and a minimum of 250. Most supplemental essays through this system should be even shorter, ideally around 250 words or less.
The Coalition Application offers slightly more space. Essays submitted through this platform should be between 500 and 650 words.
Strong college essays are concise. For students unfamiliar with writing a college personal statement, lengthy writing can lose the reader’s attention. Remember that you only have a few hundred words to make a lasting impression.
Read Also – College Essay Format: Guidelines, Structure & Tips
Is Grammar Important in Writing College Essays?
Strong essays are marked by clear, concise writing and a minimal presence of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. These elements show your attention to detail and professionalism. While you aren’t expected to be flawless, familiarizing yourself with common grammar and spelling pitfalls can significantly elevate the quality of your writing.
Proofreading is an essential step to catch avoidable errors. Spell check and grammar check tools are valuable additional resources, but they don’t catch everything. A fresh pair of eyes can be invaluable. Consider asking a trusted friend, classmate, or tutor to proofread your essay for an extra layer of polish.
College Essay Prompts
College essay prompts typically function as guiding questions. These are broad and open-ended to focus student writing while allowing some freedom in topic selection. Depending on the institution, applicants might respond to a single prompt or choose from a selection.
Both the Common Application and the Coalition for College offer several prompts. Careful reading of the chosen question is vital for you as it develops your responses. Outlining your ideas can be helpful to ensure you stay on track and address all aspects of the prompt.
Common Application Essay Prompts for 2023–2024
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your designs.
Read Also: 7 Common App Essay Prompts for 2023-2024 Application Cycle
Coalition App Essay Prompts (for 2023–2024 and 2024–2025)
- Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
- What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?
- Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?
- Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?
- What success have you achieved or obstacles have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?
- Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.
Tip: Staying on topic is crucial. A common mistake in crafting college personal statements is failing to directly address the prompt’s question.
Read Also: Coalition vs. Common App: Which One is Better?
5 Must-Know Tips to Ace Your College Essay
1. Hook your reader from sentence one
Imagine this: Your application lands on the desk of an admissions officer, buried beneath a pile of others. Just ten seconds to grab their attention and convince them to delve deeper.
That’s the power of a strong opening. Whether it’s a thought-provoking quote, a captivating question, a vivid description, or a bold statement, your first sentence or paragraph needs to seize the reader’s imagination.
A powerful introduction, often paired with a clear thesis statement, sets the stage for your entire essay. It can guide the reader through your story while showing your writing skills. A compelling beginning is not just about grabbing attention; it’s about laying the foundation for a strong essay, one that fulfills its purpose by truly engaging the reader from the start.
2. Be authentic
Being yourself is the most important component of good writing. Even more than the topic you choose, authenticity lets your personality and voice connect with readers. Write as you talk. Use your own voice, sense of humor, and the way you naturally express yourself. Pick a topic that matters to you. Don’t chase trends or write about something just to impress. The best writing comes from a place of genuine interest or passion. This could be a specific experience, a cherished hobby, or even a quirky personality trait.
Admissions committees can smell a fake a mile away. Inauthentic writing can come in many forms, from flowery language that sounds unnatural to choosing a shallow topic that reveals nothing about you.
3. Stand out with a unique perspective
Want your essay to be unforgettable? Consider approaching your topic from an entirely new angle. While some themes like overcoming sports hurdles, volunteering experiences, immigration journeys, moving stories, personal achievements, or obstacle conquering might seem overused, there’s a reason they’re popular. These themes reflect the common experiences of many high school graduates.
Instead of entirely discarding these common topics, focus on finding a fresh approach. Can you present a familiar theme with a new perspective or surprising detail? The key is to breathe new life into the topic and show your unique voice and insights. This unexpected twist can grab the reader’s attention and show your resilience.
4. Focus on deeper themes
Many students fall into the trap of bombarding committees with facts, figures, and activity descriptions, hoping to impress with sports victories or volunteer tallies. But this approach misses the mark.
College admissions officers yearn to understand the person behind the accolades. They seek the narrative that shaped you and the experiences that forged your current perspective.
Focus less on the “how many” and more on the “how.” Don’t just tell them about winning games; explain how that victory fostered your growth as a leader, teammate, or family member. What did you discover about yourself through these experiences? How did they shape your values, your resolve, or your view of the world?
Admissions officers want to see the threads connecting your experiences. They want to understand the deeper themes that have shaped you into who you are.
5. Articulate your impact on campus
Admissions officers seek students who will become active contributors to the campus community. Leverage this opportunity to show not only your current self but also your aspirations for the future. When responding to school-specific supplements, highlight the specific groups, programs, and initiatives you’re eager to join and contribute to if admitted.
Similarly, within your personal statement, weave in details about your long-term goals and ambitions. This will help admissions officers envision the positive impact you aim to make on campus life.
Read Also – College Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide For US Students
Things to Avoid in Your College Essay for College
A well-written college essay can significantly enhance your application. However, including inappropriate or repetitive information can create an unfavorable impression. Here are some themes to steer clear of:
1. Repetitive information
Your grades, test scores, and academic achievements are already added elsewhere in the application. Admissions officers use the essay to gain insights beyond transcripts and course lists. Highlight stories, experiences, and personal growth that don’t overlap with other sections.
2. Minor challenges
Essays that portray a sheltered life might not resonate. For instance, focusing on a common athletic injury as your biggest challenge may not effectively convey resilience. It’s better to talk about how you’ve tackled challenges that reflect an awareness of the broader struggles faced by your peers.
3. Avoid talking about pets
While pets are precious companions, dedicating your essay to them limits your opportunity to shine. Aim for a topic unique to your journey rather than a universal theme like pet love.
4. Clichés and overused quotes
College essays are a platform for your unique voice and perspective. Clichés and overused quotes make writing appear uninspired and impersonal. Additionally, consider the cultural context of sayings; what resonates in one culture might be confusing in another.
5. Criminal history
Everyone appreciates a good comeback story, but detailing past legal troubles might not be the best way to begin your college application journey. While honesty is important, choose a topic that paints you in a positive light and shows your strengths and growth.
6. Proofreading is a must
Strong writing skills are essential for college applications, and essays free of grammatical and spelling errors demonstrate those skills. Proofread meticulously, or ask a trusted teacher, mentor, or friend to review your essay for any mistakes before submitting it.
Read Also: College Waitlist: What are Waitlist Admission Rates?
From the Desk of Yocket
Writing a college application essay is a chance to step beyond grades and test scores and present yourself as a person with unique experiences and aspirations. The key lies in finding a story that shows who you truly are. This could be an experience that challenged you, a person who inspired you, or even a passion that takes up your free time. What matters most is that you choose something meaningful and write rather than just a surface-level description. Reflect on how this experience impacted you, what you learned from it, and how it shaped your goals and motivations.
A well-written essay should paint a vivid picture of you, the person behind the GPA and achievements. Don’t be afraid to brainstorm freely and write multiple drafts. Read your essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing or areas that lack clarity. Don’t be afraid to showcase your quirks and interests, as long as they connect to your overall narrative. Seek feedback from trusted teachers, counselors, or mentors. The most important thing is to be genuine and let your voice shine through. After all, this essay is your opportunity to convince the admissions committee that their college is the perfect place for you to start your college journey. Also, yocket can also provide valuable resources and insights to help you craft a compelling essay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should the college essay be?
This depends on the college’s specific requirements. The Common Application essay has a minimum of 250 words but no upper limit. Generally, 500–650 words is a safe zone.
When should I start writing the college essay?
As early as possible! Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and revise. Ideally, you should start well before the application deadlines.
Does the college essay matter?
Yes! It can be a big factor in college admissions decisions, especially for competitive colleges. It helps you stand out and gives the committee a sense of who you are as a person.