How to Write a Winning College Application Essay

Have you heard the story about the student who got into Harvard, Yale and six other prestigious universities by sending in a blank sheet of paper in response to the college essay prompt “Define courage”? The student simply wrote at the top of the otherwise empty page: “This is what courage means to me.” 

Feeling tempted to pull such a stunt? Well, don’t. That’s the stuff of urban legends. With the right attitude and preparation, you won’t need to resort to such risky endeavors anyway.

Here are some tips to make your essay shine:

--Remember your reader, Mr. and Ms. Admissions Officer

Before you think about how to approach your subject, you need to consider (translate: take pity on) your reader. During the busy admissions season, these employees spend nearly all day and night reading college essays. After a while, the writing starts to sound the same. It can seem as if everyone wants to make the world a better place. Your job is to stand out from the crowd. But that doesn’t mean making things up or trying to be obnoxiously funny. You need to write an interesting – but also honest and reflective essay.

--Put the essay in its place

Keep in mind that the admissions officers who read your essay will be looking at your whole application package. So rather than repeating information about what you’ve done – the admissions board can get that from your list of activities – show them who you are. The essay is your chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants and offer a peak into your personality. With that in mind, you’ll want to write in the first person so that your unique voice shines through. 

--Choose your subject wisely

According to the College Board (the people behind the SAT), college admissions committees use the essay to evaluate your “preferences, values, mental processes, creativity, sense of humor, and depth of knowledge.” Indeed, what you choose to write about may be as important as how you write it. Often the questions are wide open – asking you to describe an event that changed your life or who inspired you most. You may feel pressure to include something you think is dramatic, but that’s not the point. The goal is to write something meaningful and real. Maybe that person is simply your grandfather, whom you admire because of the way he went on with his life after your grandmother died, or your kind kid sister, who made friends with unpopular kids at school. Those are the stories your reader can relate to because they’re from the heart.

--Gather supporting evidence

A great essay includes lots of examples. If you’re writing about a specific event, use the details from that experience to explain a change in how you thought, felt or acted. Think about the characteristics, strengths and even weaknesses that you’re trying to communicate. For example, if you want to make the point that you’re very resilient, tell a story that shows how resilient you are. Don’t say, “I am resilient.” Write about how you pushed through a demanding hike in the rain. Mention how cold you felt or that you got huge blisters. If you’re asked to reveal weaknesses, don’t say, “I am overly organized.” Tell about the time you got upset when your little cousin messed up your stuffed animals, which were categorized by country of origin, and how you realized that you needed to learn to be more flexible. These types of essays reveal much more about you than listing a bunch of qualities. Besides, they’re fun to read.

--Write it yourself

What should you not do? Don’t misrepresent yourself, and don’t even think about finding someone else to write your essay for you. In fact, colleges are aware of the increased use of application consultants. Some universities even ask who helped with the essay or may request that you submit high school papers turned in for a grade with your application. 

--Don’t forget the finishing touches

 Even after you’ve expanded your initial draft, you still need to be prepared to rewrite your essay numerous times. Ask others for feedback. Eliminate unnecessary words and tired clichés. Beware of trying to impress admissions officers with your vocabulary. Remember to sound like you, not a PhD who reads the thesaurus over breakfast. Read the essay aloud, so that you can hear changes that need to be made. Remember that the computer can’t catch every mistake.  Obviously, spelling or grammatical errors can be interpreted as laziness, and you want to represent yourself as best as you can.

--Consider this a second chance

Writing your college essay may seem like a stressful endeavor. But remember that the essay is a great opportunity to boost your chances of admission to the college of your choice. At this point, you can’t change your algebra grades or test scores. It’s too late to join the lacrosse team. But you can write a charming essay. So don’t scribble something in an hour. Start the process well in advance, and tell us about yourself.