How do colleges view essays that use quotes?
I'm starting to brainstorm my Common App essay, and I keep coming back to an idea where I open with a quote that really inspires me. It's something my track coach says a lot, and it sort of became a motto for me during junior year.
I’ve seen some advice saying that using quotes is cliché or that admissions officers don’t like it because it isn’t original. But sometimes a quote just fits perfectly with what I’m trying to say! Does anyone know if colleges actually dislike this, or is it okay if the essay is still personal? I want to be creative but not make a rookie mistake.
Would love to hear some real examples or ideas about how you made it work (or didn’t)!
I’ve seen some advice saying that using quotes is cliché or that admissions officers don’t like it because it isn’t original. But sometimes a quote just fits perfectly with what I’m trying to say! Does anyone know if colleges actually dislike this, or is it okay if the essay is still personal? I want to be creative but not make a rookie mistake.
Would love to hear some real examples or ideas about how you made it work (or didn’t)!
3 months ago
•
32 views
Camille L.
• 3 months ago
Advisor
Colleges don’t automatically dislike essays that use quotes, but the way you use the quote matters a lot. The main concern admissions readers have is when the quote overshadows your own voice, or the essay relies too much on someone else’s words—since the point is for you to show who you are, through your unique perspective, experiences, and growth.
That said, if there’s a quote from your track coach that genuinely shaped you, it can absolutely work as a jumping-off point. The key is to make sure the essay is still about you—not the coach or their wisdom. For example, instead of starting with a generic quote like, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” and then writing generally about working hard, you could open with the quote and move right into a specific moment when those words actually guided your decision-making.
Let’s say your coach always said, “Finish strong, no matter where you start.” Instead of just saying you were motivated by it, share a specific, vivid scene: Maybe you were trailing in a race, almost gave up, but remembered those words. Then go into how it changed your mindset not only in track but later in an academic, personal, or even family struggle. Connect the quote to a unique story or insight about yourself that would only apply to you.
Here’s a quick example of what works: “Coach Daniels always says, ‘You don’t stop when you’re tired—you stop when you’re done.’ I repeated it in my head during the last stretch of our regional qualifier. That day, I learned I’m not defined by setbacks, but by perseverance. That realization followed me off the track: when my chemistry grade tanked, I didn’t give up on the subject—I recommitted, new study techniques and all. I don’t win every race or ace every test, but I finish what I start.”
So, using a quote is fine as long as:
- It’s unique or personally meaningful (avoid famous quotes that could apply to anyone)
- The essay isn’t really about the quote or coach, but about how you interpret and act on the message
- The rest of the essay is distinctly in your voice, with personal anecdotes and reflection
In summary: Don’t be afraid to use the quote as a springboard—just make sure everything you write after it is unmistakably you.
That said, if there’s a quote from your track coach that genuinely shaped you, it can absolutely work as a jumping-off point. The key is to make sure the essay is still about you—not the coach or their wisdom. For example, instead of starting with a generic quote like, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” and then writing generally about working hard, you could open with the quote and move right into a specific moment when those words actually guided your decision-making.
Let’s say your coach always said, “Finish strong, no matter where you start.” Instead of just saying you were motivated by it, share a specific, vivid scene: Maybe you were trailing in a race, almost gave up, but remembered those words. Then go into how it changed your mindset not only in track but later in an academic, personal, or even family struggle. Connect the quote to a unique story or insight about yourself that would only apply to you.
Here’s a quick example of what works: “Coach Daniels always says, ‘You don’t stop when you’re tired—you stop when you’re done.’ I repeated it in my head during the last stretch of our regional qualifier. That day, I learned I’m not defined by setbacks, but by perseverance. That realization followed me off the track: when my chemistry grade tanked, I didn’t give up on the subject—I recommitted, new study techniques and all. I don’t win every race or ace every test, but I finish what I start.”
So, using a quote is fine as long as:
- It’s unique or personally meaningful (avoid famous quotes that could apply to anyone)
- The essay isn’t really about the quote or coach, but about how you interpret and act on the message
- The rest of the essay is distinctly in your voice, with personal anecdotes and reflection
In summary: Don’t be afraid to use the quote as a springboard—just make sure everything you write after it is unmistakably you.
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Camille L.
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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