As you know, college application materials will ultimately capture more than just grades and test scores; they will also be your opportunity to tell your unique story through various required and optional essays. The personal statement and supplemental essays allow you to introduce yourself to admissions officers in a way that numbers cannot. Your writing should showcase your personality, experiences, and personal growth, helping colleges understand who you are beyond your transcript.
What Admissions Officers Look For: Authenticity, Voice, Impact
Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and the ones that stand out are those that feel personal and genuine. More specifically, they are looking for: your authentic reflection on your lived experiences and your emotional or intellectual reactions to them. When people say your essays should capture your "voice", they mean that it should sound like you! Not your friend, a thesaurus or an AI-generated response. Further, the impact of things that have happened to you, meaning how they have shaped you rather than just the retelling of the events as they happened.
Do’s:
1). Tell a compelling story: Use storytelling techniques like vivid descriptions, dialogue, and personal reflections to engage the reader.
2). Use vivid language: Show, don’t just tell. Instead of saying, “I was nervous,” describe the feeling: “My hands trembled as I stepped onto the stage, my heartbeat echoing in my ears.”
3). Focus on self-reflection: Colleges care more about what you learned and how you grew than just understanding the steps of what happened.
Don’ts:
1). Avoid overused topics: Writing about winning a big game, a mission/service trip, or overcoming a minor challenge can feel generic unless you offer a unique perspective.
2). Bragging: Instead of listing accomplishments, focus on moments of growth and learning.
3). Making it too broad: A focused, well-developed story is better than trying to cover too many experiences at once.
Preparing for the Task
It’s never too early to start brainstorming the types of topics you may cover in your essays. It would benefit every student to keep a journal or, more practically speaking, keep a note in your phone, to record moments of personal growth, challenges, or pivotal experiences. Additionally, you can use practice prompts from various resources (see the links below); addressing writing prompts that you may face in the future will help spark some ideas and you may even be able to edit and use them when you're applying to university. Remember to pay close attention to using space for reflecting on your values and passions (What experiences? Why? Say more!).
General Writing Tips - Getting Started
–Read strong examples (from reputable/vetted sources): For example, Essays That Worked from Johns Hopkins and other sources
–Consult professional resources, such as the College Essay Guy, who offers great tips and exercises to refine your essay.
–Writing a strong narrative essay is a process that takes time, introspection, and lots of advanced practice, like any skill you get better at over time. By preparing early, choosing a meaningful topic, and staying true to yourself, you’ll craft essays that resonate with admissions officers.
Resources:
- New York Times - practice writing prompts - keep a journal!
- College Essay Guy → https://www.collegeessayguy.com/
Examples from Johns Hopkins’ Essays That Worked