Tips for Writing College Essays

by Christina Xu



Writing essays – especially for college applications – can be quite the frightening process. However, if approached correctly, the essay can be a asset to your application and help you better communicate who you are as an applicant and a person. 

1. Show who you are- perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind, it is essential that your essay communicates who you are, not who you think the admission officers want to see. Realize that these officers have probably read hundreds of thousands of essays in their career, and they know when something is genuine and when it really isn’t. 

1. Brainstorm and be prepared to write several drafts- it’s difficult to find the “right” story or narrative to express yourself, so take some time to jot down a couple ideas. Perhaps it was a momentous moment when you reached a higher understanding of your life, or it could be as small as a conversation you had with someone. Once you think you found something that you can express well, start writing! You can always write several essays and choose one later.

1. Show growth- we are changing beings and almost every event we experience changes us in some way, be it positive or negative. Thus your essay should show how something or someone in your life has impacted you or changed your mindset; don’t just tell a story, tell the impact of it as well. 

1. Check over for fluency- you can have the best ideas but the language has to communicate it as well. Don’t forget to read your essay for flow, grammar, and clarity. You can always get a second or third opinion by asking a close friend, parent, or teacher to edit essay or give feedback. Often the smallest mistakes are not caught by you, but by a second eye. 

These are all tips I gathered through my personal experience this past year, and I hope they will help you as well. Don’t forget to fully express your mind, your life, and your story. This is your golden opportunity to show something about yourself that might not be communicated through a number or activities list. Don’t be afraid to take risks and produce something unique- we all have something special within each of us, no matter how bland you think your life may be.
Good luck!