How do I write my college essay?

Feeling stuck at the starting line of your college essay is more common than you think, so you’re definitely not alone. One of the hardest parts is figuring out what to write about—but the good news is that your essay doesn’t need to be about some epic experience or major achievement. In fact, simple stories that reveal something honest and interesting about how you think or who you are can be extremely powerful.

When brainstorming, try this exercise: instead of looking for the single most important moment in your life, jot down a list of small memories or moments that bring up a strong emotion—things that made you laugh, feel proud, uncomfortable, or even confused. For example, maybe you have a funny family tradition, a quirky habit, or a hobby you’re obsessed with. One real-life example: a student wrote about how learning to make French macarons with her grandmother taught her patience and resilience (with plenty of failed batches along the way). The essay focused on the sights, sounds, and smells of their kitchen, which made the experience come alive and showed her personality without being dramatic.

In terms of making your voice sound real, write your first draft as if you’re telling the story to a friend. You can polish it later, but starting this way keeps things authentic and helps avoid the over-the-top or forced tone. Don't worry too much about sounding ‘impressive’—admissions officers just want to get to know you as a person. If you write about a simple topic, focus on what you learned or how your perspective changed. A story about helping your little brother with math homework, for example, is relatable if you reflect on what it taught you about patience or communication.

Lastly, give yourself permission to write badly at first—no one’s first draft is perfect. Sketch out some scenes or dialogue, jot down your thoughts as they come, and don’t get hung up on making it sound perfect. Once you have something on the page, you’ll have a lot more to work with. And remember: both dramatic and simple topics can be great essays, as long as you show what matters to you and why.

Good luck—you’ve got this! And if you get stuck, it can be really helpful to have someone else read your draft to see what stands out to them.