For more on how to write a college essay, check out these .
(And to clarify: When we say, “topic,” we mean the theme or focus of your essay that you use to show who you are and what you value. The “topic” of your college essay is always ultimately you.)
At some point, depart from your story to give some commentary. This doesn't have to be much, but something that drives home the points you're trying to make. Kurt Vonnegut and John Steinbeck were both absolute bosses at this. Basically this is the part of the essay that actually answers the prompt or addresses what you are trying to say. Even here, don't be too sweeping or broad. Just tie the story you're telling to the point you're making. You can be creative here, as Steinbeck and Vonnegut often were. Analogies, similes, and metaphors are all good devices for keeping this part interesting. If it's a really short essay, like a 200 word supplement, you're probably done with it after you finish this. Note that if you tell a really great story, you don't need this at all. (Fun side note: Upton Sinclair probably had the worst case ever of this backfiring on him. In The Jungle, he tried to jump out of the story at the end with his main point, "So we should all be Communists," but what he got instead was "We must reform the meat packing industry." This backfiring probably won't happen to you, but it helps illustrate how this device is supposed to work. Another good example that worked is John Galt's speech in the trial at the end of Atlas Shrugged.). Take the attribute or character trait about yourself that you're showcasing in your story and go one step further by explaining why you did, said, or thought those things. Unpack what it means to you, how you've grown or changed in that area, or what/how you hope to build on those attributes further. If possible tie this in with the larger theme or arc of your overall application too.
Narrative Structure is classic storytelling structure. You’ve seen this thousands of times—assuming you read, and watch movies and TV, and tell stories with friends and family. If you don’t do any of these things, this might be new. Otherwise, you already know this. You may just not know you know it. Narrative revolves around a character or characters (for a college essay, that’s you) working to overcome certain challenges, learning and growing, and gaining insight. For a college essay using Narrative Structure, you’ll focus the word count roughly equally on a) Challenges You Faced, b) What You Did About Them, and c) What You Learned (caveat that those sections can be somewhat interwoven, especially b and c). Paragraphs and events are connected causally.
How (and why) to outline your college essay to use a good structure
Below we’ll cover those two essay structures we love, but you’ll see how flexible these are—they can lead to vastly different essays. You can also check out a few to get a sense of structure and format (though we’d recommend doing some to think of possible topics before you look at too many samples, since they can poison the well for some people).
**Highlight Your Values and Character**:
- Use your essay to showcase your values, character, and the qualities that make you a strong fit for the college community.
Your essay reveals something important about you that your grades and test scores can't─your personality. It can give admissions officers a sense of who you are and showcase your writing ability. Here are some things that admissions officers look for in a personal essay for college.
Below we’ll discuss a few strategies you can use to help your essay stand out from the pack. We’ll touch on how to start your essay, what you should write for your college essay, and elements that make for a great college essay.
How do you start your college essays? - Career Village
Why It Works: This is a super vulnerable to admit and raises all sorts of questions for us: Why did he shoot his brother? Why hasn’t he confessed it to him? What will his brother say once he tells him? (Fun fact: This essay actually breaks the “don’t start with a quote” rule. the rest if you wanna’ read it.)
How to start off a college essay about yourself
A well-written and thoughtful essay—reflecting who you are and what you believe—can go a long way to separating your application from the slew of forgettable ones that admissions officers read. Indeed, officers may rely on them even more now that many colleges are not considering test scores.
How to Write a Personal Essay for Your College Application
Also, avoid stressing about trying to write what you think colleges want to see. Learning how to draft a good essay for college is about showcasing who you are. Stay true to your voice. Keep in mind that authenticity is more important than anything else.
How to write a perfect college essay - Quora
A personal essay for college applications is an opportunity for admission admissions panels to get more insight into who you are and what you have to offer. It's often the most personal component of the application, going beyond grades and standardized test scores. Essays usually have open-ended prompts, allowing you to flex your writing skills and make a personal statement.
What are some great tips for starting my college essay? - Wyzant
It may sound like a chore, and it will certainly take a substantial amount of work. But it's also a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time. Admissions committees put the most weight on your and your . However, selective colleges receive applications from many worthy students with similar scores and grades—too many to admit. So they use your essay, along with your and , to find out what sets you apart from the other talented candidates.
How to Start a College Essay: 8 Killer Tips! - Transizion
Learning how to write a successful essay for college is crucial. This essay's exact weight on your chances of acceptance varies from one school to the next. But it's an element of your application that all admissions teams consider. Your essay could be the thing that gets you off a waiting list or gives you a competitive edge over other applicants.