Is the College Essay Guy verb list actually useful for college essays?
I've seen a lot of people talk about using the verb list from the College Essay Guy website to help make their essays more interesting. I'm getting ready to start my Common App essay and some of my supplemental essays, so I'm trying to make them stand out.
Does anyone have experience actually using this list when they write? Did it really make a difference in your writing or is it more of a gimmick? I want to make sure my essays sound natural, but also a little more lively than just the basic verbs. If anyone used it, how did you pick verbs that fit without sounding forced?
Kind of stressing because I feel like I’m overthinking word choice, but I want my application to be as strong as possible. Any advice would be appreciated!
Does anyone have experience actually using this list when they write? Did it really make a difference in your writing or is it more of a gimmick? I want to make sure my essays sound natural, but also a little more lively than just the basic verbs. If anyone used it, how did you pick verbs that fit without sounding forced?
Kind of stressing because I feel like I’m overthinking word choice, but I want my application to be as strong as possible. Any advice would be appreciated!
4 months ago
•
25 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
The College Essay Guy verb list can be a genuinely helpful tool, especially when you want to add energy and detail to your writing. Strong verbs make your stories more vivid and help readers picture your actions and emotions. However, it’s important to use these verbs thoughtfully so your essay feels authentic, not overwritten.
Many students use verb lists to get past generic choices like "did," "helped," or "went." Swapping in more specific verbs like "orchestrated" instead of "led" or "crafted" instead of "made" can subtly level up your storytelling. For example, instead of writing “I helped at the food bank,” you might say, “I coordinated meal distribution,” which is both more descriptive and active.
In my own experience reviewing essays, I’ve noticed that students who use specific, intentional verbs do sound more engaging—but the best essays never sound like a thesaurus exploded on the page. The trick is to scan the verb list for inspiration and try a few substitutions as you revise. Read your sentences aloud and ask yourself, "Does this still sound like me?" or "Does this actually fit what I did?" If a verb feels forced or unnatural, skip it.
A good approach is to draft your essay freely, then during one of your edits, highlight all the verbs. See where you can make a verb more specific without being dramatic. For example, instead of “I was involved with the robotics team,” consider “I troubleshot code issues for my robotics team.”
Ultimately, the best essays use verbs that fit the context and your voice. The list is there to spark ideas, not dictate your vocabulary. Word choice is important, but telling your story honestly matters more. When in doubt, clarity and authenticity always beat fanciness.
If you’re feeling stuck, try swapping just a few verbs in a paragraph and see how it feels. Chances are, one or two stronger verbs will make your writing pop without overdoing it.
Many students use verb lists to get past generic choices like "did," "helped," or "went." Swapping in more specific verbs like "orchestrated" instead of "led" or "crafted" instead of "made" can subtly level up your storytelling. For example, instead of writing “I helped at the food bank,” you might say, “I coordinated meal distribution,” which is both more descriptive and active.
In my own experience reviewing essays, I’ve noticed that students who use specific, intentional verbs do sound more engaging—but the best essays never sound like a thesaurus exploded on the page. The trick is to scan the verb list for inspiration and try a few substitutions as you revise. Read your sentences aloud and ask yourself, "Does this still sound like me?" or "Does this actually fit what I did?" If a verb feels forced or unnatural, skip it.
A good approach is to draft your essay freely, then during one of your edits, highlight all the verbs. See where you can make a verb more specific without being dramatic. For example, instead of “I was involved with the robotics team,” consider “I troubleshot code issues for my robotics team.”
Ultimately, the best essays use verbs that fit the context and your voice. The list is there to spark ideas, not dictate your vocabulary. Word choice is important, but telling your story honestly matters more. When in doubt, clarity and authenticity always beat fanciness.
If you’re feeling stuck, try swapping just a few verbs in a paragraph and see how it feels. Chances are, one or two stronger verbs will make your writing pop without overdoing it.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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