Whether you are a student applying to college or a parent seeking to help their child, the college admissions process is filled with challenges and excitement as students and parents prepare for the next two to four years.
Colleges and universities look at various factors when admitting students, such as high school grade point averages (GPA), extracurricular activities, test scores, and college essays, which can be the tipping point in favor of a student’s admission.
These college essays, along with letters of recommendation, allow students to distinguish themselves from other students and show admissions teams why they should be accepted into their chosen school and program.
Let’s discuss what an admissions essay is, as well as six tips on how to write an admissions essay.
What is an Admissions Essay?
College admissions essays are essays or personal statements that students must write as part of their college application.
Students can showcase and share their personality, goals, and why they are an excellent fit for the school or program they are applying to. This essay is the perfect opportunity for students to introduce themselves to the admission committee by sharing who they are and what they believe. Students can also highlight their academic achievements, strengths, and other personal aspects about themselves and their lives.
In turn, admissions committees reading college essays can distinguish and remember qualified and memorable candidates over potentially forgettable ones. While each college or university will differ in whether they require an essay or personal statement, students are strongly encouraged to submit one to help strengthen their application overall.
Six Tips for Writing a College Essay
College essays are the perfect opportunity to speak about yourself as a person and more than a student, as they go beyond what grades and transcripts can show.
While thinking of what will “wow” the reader can be challenging, students can write a compelling college admissions essay with preparation, support, and the following tips.
Tip #1: Start Early
Students will need first to research when their college applications and admissions essays are due, whether on a specific due date or on a rolling basis. Keep in mind that the earlier students submit, the better likelihood they will be considered for grants and scholarships.
Now that they know the deadline, students can start planning by creating a timeline of when they will need to write an outline, write the college essay, edit, have others proofread, and re-write to implement any changes or suggestions.
Starting early and planning for each stage of the writing process will ensure you have enough time to write your essay without rush or extra stress. Generally speaking, a month is a great goal, but applicants should be honest with themselves and their writing ability so that they can give themselves as much time as possible to do their best work.
Tip #2: Understand the Prompt
Before writing one word, students should make sure they have read the instructions, prompt, and formatting requirements multiple times and understand what the college wants from them.
Not only is the college essay the perfect time to highlight you as a person and student, but following the instructions can show admissions professionals your attention to detail and ability to follow directions.
In addition to the prompt itself, pay attention to the following instructions and requirements:
- Word count minimums and maximums
- Questions or themes the essay wants applicants to address
- Font choice
- Font size
- Margin size
Tip #3: Develop a Strong Opener
The opener is one of the trickiest and most essential parts of the college admissions essay. A strong opener will encourage and excite the reader to keep reading, whereas a weak opener will discourage them from reading further or feel like the essay is uninteresting, weakening a student’s chances of being accepted.
Thus, students must choose a topic they are passionate about and dedicate more time to the opening paragraph of their essay, as it sets the tone for the rest of the essay. Writing an essay about a subject or topic that means something will also generate more authenticity and enthusiasm, making it enjoyable for the student and reader.
Start your essay with a bold statement, descriptive scene, thoughtful quote, or question that will pique the reader’s interest and present them with a strong thesis statement as to the purpose of your essay.
Tip #4: Stay on Topic
Similarly, students should be cautious of filling their essay with their entire life story or talking in circles, especially when writing many college applications and college admissions essays.
Make sure you fully understand each essay prompt. Because while it is tempting to repurpose one college admissions essay to fit another topic, it often makes essays feel generic or confusing.
Instead, give yourself enough time to write distinct, unique, and compelling essays for each application with specific details and examples pertaining to that topic or subject.
Tip #5: Show, Don’t Tell
One of the biggest mistakes students make when deciding what and how to write an admissions essay is telling the reader what happened rather than showing them.
What we mean by this is instead of telling what happened or sharing a list of accomplishments or activities, set the scene with an opening hook or bold beginning and provide personal anecdotes of how you felt as the events in your story played out. Common themes and story ideas may involve:
- Awkward situations
- Difficult decisions
- Overcoming challenges or situations
- Fears
- Humor
- Moments of bravery and inspiration
Tip #6: Be Unique
College admissions essays are not the time to pick a generic topic or subject. Instead, use them to share your specific, unique, and one-of-a-kind experience and point of view. Write the subject from an entirely new perspective that inspires you, not what you think the admissions team wants to hear.
Don’t be afraid to share a time where you lost and how that impacted you, or share a moment where you had to make a tough decision or answer a challenging question. While it’s common to write about sports or volunteer-related obstacles or success, implement a fresh approach and perspective.
Students should share what matters to them and maximize who they are rather than minimize their experiences and accomplishments. Declare yourself in a vibrant, compelling, and unique way that will convince the college you are applying to that you are who they want in a student.
While college admissions essays are merely one piece of the college application process puzzle, they are often understood as the most essential element. Since admission essays allow students to showcase who they are beyond numbers and data.
Visit University of Bridgeport’s site to learn which programs encourage students to write an essay as part of their application.