How do you stand out in your college essays?
I’ve been trying to draft some college essays and I’m not really sure how to make mine memorable. I feel like everybody says to just be yourself, but I worry that my story isn’t interesting or original enough to catch an admissions officer’s attention.
I’m planning to apply to a few selective schools in the fall and I keep overthinking every idea I come up with. What are some tips or strategies for writing a college essay that actually stands out? I’d love to hear what worked for other people or maybe examples of topics that really made someone unique.
I’m planning to apply to a few selective schools in the fall and I keep overthinking every idea I come up with. What are some tips or strategies for writing a college essay that actually stands out? I’d love to hear what worked for other people or maybe examples of topics that really made someone unique.
6 months ago
•
10 views
Roger Lopez
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Standing out in your college essays is definitely tough, especially since it can feel like everyone is telling the same story or giving the same advice. "Be yourself" is important, but it’s only the starting point—you want your writing to be authentic, but you also want to be strategic in the moments, details, and perspectives you focus on.
One of the best ways to make your essay memorable is to zoom in on a specific story, moment, or detail that’s unique to you. Rather than trying to sum up your whole life or all your accomplishments, pick a slice of your experience that's personal and a little unexpected.
For example, let’s say you love baking. Instead of writing a general essay about your passion for baking and what it’s taught you (which can feel generic), maybe you zoom in on the story of the first time your sourdough bread failed—how frustrated you were, the ridiculous mess, and what you realized about experimentation and patience. Or, perhaps you write about teaching your younger sibling to bake during a stressful family time, and how that experience changed your perspective on responsibility and connection.
The small details matter more than you’d think. Admissions officers read hundreds of essays. The ones that linger are rooted in honest emotion, surprise, or a very specific anecdote. Sensory details, dialogue, and reflection all help. Instead of saying "I learned to persevere," show what perseverance looked like for you in that moment.
If you feel like your story isn’t interesting, remember it’s often the angle or how you tell it that matters most. Even a typical experience can become unique if you focus on the personal meaning, the emotions, and the transformation you experienced. Finally, don’t be afraid to draft multiple essays and see which one feels most honest and alive. Sometimes the story you didn’t think was a big deal is the one that grabs a reader’s attention.
You’ve got a story—everyone does. It’s all about finding a way to show it through your eyes.
One of the best ways to make your essay memorable is to zoom in on a specific story, moment, or detail that’s unique to you. Rather than trying to sum up your whole life or all your accomplishments, pick a slice of your experience that's personal and a little unexpected.
For example, let’s say you love baking. Instead of writing a general essay about your passion for baking and what it’s taught you (which can feel generic), maybe you zoom in on the story of the first time your sourdough bread failed—how frustrated you were, the ridiculous mess, and what you realized about experimentation and patience. Or, perhaps you write about teaching your younger sibling to bake during a stressful family time, and how that experience changed your perspective on responsibility and connection.
The small details matter more than you’d think. Admissions officers read hundreds of essays. The ones that linger are rooted in honest emotion, surprise, or a very specific anecdote. Sensory details, dialogue, and reflection all help. Instead of saying "I learned to persevere," show what perseverance looked like for you in that moment.
If you feel like your story isn’t interesting, remember it’s often the angle or how you tell it that matters most. Even a typical experience can become unique if you focus on the personal meaning, the emotions, and the transformation you experienced. Finally, don’t be afraid to draft multiple essays and see which one feels most honest and alive. Sometimes the story you didn’t think was a big deal is the one that grabs a reader’s attention.
You’ve got a story—everyone does. It’s all about finding a way to show it through your eyes.
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Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years