Guidelines for Crafting an Effective College Essay

For college applicants, the essay serves as a platform to showcase their writing skills and allow their distinct voice to emerge.

Adam Sapp, assistant vice president and director of admissions at Pomona College, highlights the significance of essays, emphasizing that they provide students with a direct channel to communicate with the admissions office. Crafting a compelling essay, often referred to as a personal statement, is crucial for prospective college students who aim to leave a positive impression and enhance their acceptance prospects. However, the challenge lies in conveying one's uniqueness within the confines of just a few hundred words.

Niki Barron, associate dean of admission at Hamilton College, acknowledges that this aspect of the application process can be particularly daunting for students. Faced with a blank page, they grapple with the task of getting started. The pressure intensifies, especially as many colleges have transitioned to being test-optional in recent years, where standardized test scores are not required but can be submitted for consideration.

Despite this shift, the role of essays remains significant, and they are not viewed as a substitute for standardized test scores. Barron emphasizes that, at Hamilton College, a student's academic preparedness for the classroom experience remains a primary consideration in the application review process. While some experts suggest that, in the absence of test scores, more attention may be given to other application components such as essays, each college's admissions policies and priorities remain unique to their institutional values and goals.

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court delivered a verdict opposing college admissions policies that take into account an applicant's race. It's noteworthy, however, that the ruling doesn't restrict students from addressing how their race has impacted them in their essays. Experts suggest that this allowance could significantly influence how students approach this aspect of their applications.

When it comes to crafting a compelling college application essay, experts offer valuable tips. Emphasizing the need for conciseness, coherence, congeniality, uniqueness, honesty, and accuracy, they encourage applicants to showcase intellectual prowess and incorporate vivid details or anecdotes.

Navigating from the initial brainstorming of essay topics to the final editing stage, here's a comprehensive guide for students on creating a robust college application essay.

Embarking on the College Essay Writing Journey

A strategic time for students to commence work on their essays is during the summer preceding their senior year, according to experts. This period is opportune as it allows students to focus on their essays without the distractions of homework and extracurricular activities.

Starting early not only facilitates the creation of a well-thought-out essay but also allows ample time for multiple drafts before the application deadlines. These deadlines can be as early as November, especially for students opting for early decision or early action.

To initiate the process, students can explore online resources to review essay requirements for their desired colleges, taking note of word limits and essay topics. Many students begin with the Common App, a widely accepted application platform by over 1,000 schools. Alternatively, the Coalition Application, accepted by over 130 schools, offers six essay prompts for students to choose from.

Apart from the main essay, some colleges request additional writing samples, often in the form of supplemental essays. These may include explanations of why students are interested in a specific school or academic field. While these supplementary essays are generally shorter than the main essay, students should allocate more time to the writing process if the schools they are applying to have such requirements.

Adam Sapp, director of admissions at Pomona College, advises students not to focus solely on one lengthy essay but to allocate energy to other parts of the application, as many selective colleges request multiple pieces of writing.

What's the Ideal Length for a College Essay?

While the Common App specifies that there are "no strict word limits" for its main essay, it recommends a cap of approximately 650 words. Similarly, the Coalition Application suggests that essays should fall within the range of 500 to 650 words. Although there is no strict cut-off at 650 words, the Common App cautions that an excessively wordy essay may not retain the reader's attention as effectively.

In contrast, institution-specific supplemental essays typically have a much shorter word count, commonly around 250 words. These shorter essays demand conciseness and precision in conveying the intended message within the specified limit.

Choosing the Right College Essay Topic: A Step-by-Step Guide

The initial and often challenging step in the essay writing process involves determining what to write about. College applications typically present several essay prompts, which are broad and open-ended questions providing students with the freedom to explore a wide range of topics.

Mimi Doe, co-founder of Top Tier Admissions, emphasizes that the essay is not meant to be a comprehensive autobiography, as condensing one's entire life into a single essay can be overwhelming. Instead, experts recommend narrowing the focus and delving into a specific experience, hobby, or quirk that reveals something personal about the student—shedding light on their thought process, values, or strengths. Writing about an aspect of their background can also make an essay stand out to admissions officers. Even on a common topic, an essay can be compelling when executed effectively.

Contrary to a common misconception, students do not necessarily have to discuss a major achievement in their essay. Admissions officers appreciate memorable essays that focus on more ordinary topics, ranging from fly-fishing to a student's daily commute or a family's dining room table.

The key, according to experts, is that a college essay should be thoughtful and tell a story that provides insight into who the student is as an individual. Pierre Huguet, CEO and founder of admissions consulting firm H&C Education, emphasizes the importance of presenting the essay as a meaningful glimpse into the student's identity beyond other application materials. The objective is to evoke the reader's curiosity and create a desire to get to know the student better.

For students struggling to brainstorm potential topics, seeking input from friends or family members can be helpful. Questions such as "What do you think I do well?" or "What are my quirks?" can provide valuable insights. The ultimate goal is to offer college admissions officers new information about the student that they may not already know.

Navigating the Process of Crafting Your College Essay

While writing processes may vary, some experts recommend outlining the essay before diving into the actual writing. However, everyone has their unique approach to writing.

The first draft of an essay doesn't need to be perfect; experts advise students to conduct a "brain dump" without overthinking or self-editing during the initial phase. If students find it challenging to start, they can focus on crafting a compelling opening sentence, also known as the hook. This sentence should captivate the reader's attention and generate interest in the essay's narrative.

Mimi Doe, co-founder of Top Tier Admissions, emphasizes the importance of balance in a college essay, encouraging students to be creative without overdoing it. She suggests keeping it simple and avoiding hyperbole. Pierre Huguet, CEO and founder of admissions consulting firm H&C Education, concurs, advising students to write in a conversational voice similar to how they discuss meaningful topics with someone they trust. Huguet further emphasizes the significance of avoiding unnecessary adverbs and adjectives.

According to Huguet, thinking small and paying attention to the unique details in one's life that hold personal meaning is a powerful approach. While not every essay needs to address grand global issues, the focus on personal, meaningful details allows the essay to stand out and resonate with the reader.

The Potential Impact of Affirmative Action Rulings on College Essay Topics

The recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action has left some students feeling uncertain about how to approach their essays, particularly regarding whether to include racial identifiers. Christopher Rim, CEO and founder of Command Education, an admissions consulting company, notes that Asian students, in particular, are concerned about referencing their culture or race in their essays, fearing potential negative impacts.

Rim observes that some students feel pressured to either disclose their race or share a story of discrimination or struggle, anticipating that such narratives may be better received by admissions officers. This uneasiness stems from what seems like a contradictory message from the court. Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., in his majority opinion, stated that the ruling should not be interpreted as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affected their life, but added that race could only be considered if tied to individual experiences or qualities.

Rim anticipates confusion among parents and students as they navigate this line when crafting their essays. His guidance varies based on each student's specific situation. For instance, he suggests that for a student from an immigrant family, sharing their racial and cultural background may be integral to understanding their identity and values and should be included in the essay.

However, he advises against pushing students who have never meaningfully considered how their race has shaped their life experience and worldview to include it in their essay solely for perceived admissions benefits.

Refining and Submitting Your College Essay: A Guide to Editing

Admissions officers aim to learn about students through their essays while also assessing their writing skills, emphasizing the importance of submitting top-notch work. Adam Sapp advises that the best writing involves multiple revisions and encourages students never to submit their first draft.

When reviewing a first draft, students should focus on showing, not telling, according to Pierre Huguet. This involves providing examples that demonstrate certain traits or beliefs rather than simply stating them. Huguet emphasizes the power of effective storytelling, encouraging students to let readers draw their own conclusions.

After self-editing, seeking outside help is recommended. While some paid essay help services exist, students may explore free resources, such as consultations from college prep companies, workshops at local institutions, or online platforms like Khan Academy. Colleges themselves may provide writing tips and examples, and virtual panel discussions can offer valuable insights.

When seeking feedback, it's advised to prioritize quality over quantity. While diverse perspectives can be helpful, too many can become counterproductive. Instructors or professors with subject expertise are valuable resources for refining arguments, structure, and overall coherence.

Proofreading is acceptable, but preserving the student's voice is crucial. Mimi Doe cautions against letting anyone edit out the student's unique tone. Importantly, while proofreading is acceptable, having someone else write the essay is not.

Once the essay is ready, students typically submit it online along with their application. While essays are a crucial aspect, Adam Sapp emphasizes that they are just a window into the overall application, which comprises many pieces.