How should a college essay be structured?

You're definitely not alone in feeling unsure about college essay structure—it can be surprisingly open-ended compared to high school English essays. The Common App essay is meant to showcase something meaningful about you that isn't obvious from the rest of your application, and the structure you choose should serve that goal.

You don't have to follow a traditional five-paragraph essay format (introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion), unless that naturally fits the story you want to tell. In fact, many of the strongest essays are creative in their approach. One popular method is to use a narrative (e.g., start with an engaging moment or scene) and weave in reflection and meaning as you go, rather than separating your thoughts into "story" and then "moral."

For example, you might open with a vivid scene: "Sweat dripped down my back as I stood backstage, the curtain hiding me from an audience of two hundred." This instantly puts the reader in the moment. As you describe what happened, you can layer in reflections about what you felt, what you learned, and how it influenced your growth—all within the narrative, rather than saving it for the end. This 'show and tell as you go' approach often feels more natural and personal.

Some essays work well with a structure where each paragraph jumps between different moments that center around a theme. For instance, if you're writing about learning resilience, you might pick three snapshots from different years of your life, showing how your perspective changed over time. As long as these moments are tied together clearly and build to a bigger point, this non-linear structure can be really effective.

Ultimately, the structure should fit your story and voice. If you’re not sure where to start, try outlining your key moments and what you learned from each, then decide what order puts your growth or insight front and center. Don't stress too much about following a template—admissions officers are looking for authenticity, self-reflection, and a clear sense of who you are now.

A good litmus test: after reading your draft, would a stranger understand what matters to you and how you think? If so, the structure is probably working!