How to Write a Standout College Essay: An Overview

Getting into college is a significant milestone in every student’s life. One crucial aspect of your college application that can make or break your chances of admission is the personal statement. That’s why it’s so important to know how to write a standout college essay.

Nailing your admission essay can help showcase your personality, experiences, and aspirations to the admissions committee. Here are some valuable tips to help you craft a compelling essay that will impress the colleges of your dreams.

1. Start early

Procrastination is your worst enemy when it comes to college admission essays. Begin the process early to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and fine-tuning your essay. 

Starting early allows you to reflect on your life experiences and choose the most compelling stories to share. If you wait until the last minute though, it will be hard to put a thoughtful piece of writing together. Reflection takes time. And good writing is a marathon, not a sprint.

2. Understand your purpose

Most students just jump right into the writing process, but they don’t fully understand their purpose. Writing something without fully understanding the WHY will make your essay fall flat. And you don’t want that. You want to write a standout admission essay! Otherwise, what’s the point?! So, here’s what you can do:

• Realize that college admissions is more competitive than ever. Your essay needs to show your unique perspective or story to set you apart. 
• Research the top schools you want to get into. See what they value the most in their applicants. You can do a quick Google search to do this:
  • [School Name’s] institutional priorities 
  • What does [School Name] look for in student applicants?

3. Choose a fitting prompt

Before diving into writing, make sure you know what prompts you are responding to. In some cases, certain schools (ones on Common App usually) will give you a specific prompt. Others will allow you to use the personal statement you upload in Common App. 

If you have a mix of both of the above, choose a prompt that you can re-use for as many schools as possible. This will help you cut down on the amount of essays you need to write. 

Once you know how many essays you’ll need to write, choose a fitting prompt. Again, you’ll want to consider: What qualities or experiences is admissions looking for in a prospective student? What strengths or experience do I have that would match with what they’re looking for? 

Make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt and demonstrates these strengths. 

4. Make an outline

Going into essay writing without an outline is like driving somewhere with no directions. You will spend way more time in the writing process if you don’t have a clear structure for your essay. Organize your ideas into 3 – 7 distinct paragraphs.

 Each paragraph should directly tie into your overall essay theme (connected to your character strengths). Making an outline helps ensure that you are only including the most important details and information.

5. Don’t just tell. Show!

Do not just list your accomplishments or qualities. Illustrate them through anecdotes, personal reflection, and specific examples. This is how an admissions team will be able to personally connect with you and see value in your acceptance. 

Use vivid and descriptive language to help the reader visualize your experiences. For instance, instead of saying you’re passionate about environmental conservation, describe how you organized a community cleanup event and the impact it had on your local environment. 

6. Be authentic

Authenticity is key to a successful college admission essay. Don’t try to be someone you’re not or write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Share your genuine thoughts, values, and experiences. Admissions officers value honesty and are looking for students who will be a good fit for their institution. Make sure you also use language that sounds like you. Don’t use a ton of new words that you don’t really understand. This will make your essay sound awkward.

Your college admission essay is a chance to stand out from the crowd. Highlight aspects of your life or experiences that make you unique. Think about what sets you apart from other applicants and how your background can contribute to the college community. 

And before you say, “Oh, but I’m not special” or “I don’t have anything unique about me,” stop. You do. You just need to give yourself the time and space to actually self-reflect. In my essay course, Slay Your College Admission Essay, I include ideas for how you can do this!

7. Focus on a specific theme

While your essay should reflect your multifaceted personality, it’s important to have a central theme or message. What do you want the reader to take away from your essay? Whether it’s resilience in the face of adversity, a commitment to community service, or a love for learning, make sure your theme is clear and consistent throughout the essay.

8. Be concise. Choose your words carefully

Admissions officers read hundreds of essays. Be concise and get straight to the point. Avoid unnecessary fluff and filler words. Every sentence and every word should add value and contribute to your overall message. Use precise diction and avoid relying on overly generic words that lack description and personality.

9. Revise and edit your essay

Any good piece of writing involves multiple drafts and revisions. But this is especially true for nailing your college admission essay. After you’ve written your initial draft, take a break, and then come back to it with fresh eyes. 

Look for areas where you can improve clarity, coherence, and grammar. It’s also a good idea to seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers. You can also get help from a college essay expert who reads hundreds of these essays every year. Check out our editing page to get your essay edited!

10. Showcase your knowledge of the college (if needed)

Admissions committees want to see that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in their institution. For any college-specific essay prompts, mention specific aspects of the college that appeal to you, such as unique programs, professors, or campus culture. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to becoming a part of their community.

11. Proofread thoroughly

Nothing takes away from a well-written essay like spelling and grammatical errors. Proofread your essay meticulously to ensure it’s error-free. Use spell-checking tools and consider having someone else review it as well. And again, it’s always a good idea to have someone else look over your essay. 

12. Follow instructions

Adhering to formatting and submission guidelines is crucial. Pay attention to word limits, formatting requirements, and submission deadlines. Failure to follow instructions can reflect negatively on your application.

13. Get feedback

Don’t be afraid to seek feedback from trusted individuals, such as teachers, counselors, family members, or professional editors. They can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement.

Think of it this way. You’ve stared at your college essay for wayyy too many hours at this point. So you are going to glaze over mistakes when you are proofreading. That’s just how our brains work. You also bring a ton of personal background knowledge to your reading of the essay. Having someone else read it can make sure that no important details are missing. But, remember that the essay should still reflect your voice and experiences.

Final thoughts on how to write a standout college essay

The college essay is your opportunity to showcase your unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations. Start early. Be authentic. And follow the guidance outlined in this article. You can write a standout admission essay. And you can get accepted into the schools you apply to! Remember that your essay is a reflection of you. So take the time to make it the best it can be. Check out this page to see more about how to write a standout college essay!