What do colleges really want to see in acceptance essays?

Colleges really want to hear your authentic voice and understand how you think, reflect, and make sense of your experiences. It’s a misconception that you need a dramatic or unique story to stand out. While interesting circumstances can help, what matters most is how insightfully you write about them, even if they seem ordinary on the surface.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays every year, and what makes one memorable is the window it shows into who you are—your values, personality, and unique outlook. They’re not looking for a list of achievements or a recap of your résumé. Instead, your essay should highlight personal growth, self-awareness, and perspective.

For example, someone might write a compelling essay about working a part-time job at a grocery store and what they noticed about people during long shifts—maybe how small acts of kindness from coworkers changed the atmosphere on tough days. The essay could focus on a single, vivid interaction or a moment of realization rather than summarizing months of work. What matters is the depth of reflection and what you learned about yourself or the world.

You don’t have to be a champion athlete, a startup founder, or have survived a dramatic setback. Everyday topics—like navigating sibling relationships or learning to cook for your family—can be powerful if you dig into your thoughts and feelings. For instance, a very strong essay from a past applicant described the ritual of making tea with their grandmother and how that connected them to their cultural roots and to bigger questions about family and tradition.

Focus on:
- Picking a topic that's meaningful to you, even if it feels small
- Showing change or growth—how did an experience shape your thinking?
- Being genuine and specific, avoiding clichés
- Letting your personality and sense of humor, if appropriate, come through

In summary, colleges want to see your perspective, values, and how you process the world. It's less about what happened and more about why it mattered to you. Write honestly, reflect on your experience, and show them who you are—not who you think they want you to be.