What are some effective ways to end a college essay?
I’m at the point in my Common App essay where I need to write the conclusion, but I’m struggling to figure out how to wrap it all up in a memorable way. I don’t want the ending to sound forced or cheesy. I’ve read a bunch of sample essays, but a lot of them end with some big moral or lesson, and that just doesn’t feel right for my topic (I wrote about learning how to handle failure through theater).
Does anyone have tips for making the last paragraph feel authentic and not cliché? Is it better to reflect back on my main idea, look forward to the future, or just end on a strong visual? If you have any examples, that would help a ton. I really want the ending to leave an impression on admissions readers, but I’m lost about what actually works.
Does anyone have tips for making the last paragraph feel authentic and not cliché? Is it better to reflect back on my main idea, look forward to the future, or just end on a strong visual? If you have any examples, that would help a ton. I really want the ending to leave an impression on admissions readers, but I’m lost about what actually works.
3 months ago
•
21 views
Roger Lopez
• 3 months ago
Advisor
Finding the right way to end your college essay can definitely feel tricky, especially when you want to avoid clichés or those 'lesson learned' conclusions that can come off as insincere or generic. Since your essay is about learning to handle failure through theater, you’ve got a unique opportunity to craft an ending that is specific to your journey.
There isn’t a single 'best' way to end a college essay, but here are some strategies that tend to work well:
1. **Circle Back to the Beginning**: If your essay started with an anecdote or a compelling image—say, missing a cue during a performance—consider coming full circle. Maybe your last paragraph can reference that moment again, illustrating how your perspective or feelings about it have evolved. This gives a sense of cohesion.
2. **End with a Moment, Not a Moral**: Instead of sharing a generalized takeaway, close on a meaningful moment that leaves an impression. For example, you could describe a small post-performance ritual that now reminds you you're resilient, like quietly touching the stage backdrop or exchanging a knowing glance with a friend. Let the reader feel the change through your experience, rather than stating it outright.
3. **Look Forward, but Be Specific**: Rather than discussing your future in vague terms, tie it back to what you learned. For instance, 'As I wait for the curtain to rise on college’s next act, I carry the lessons of backstage mishaps and improv with me, ready for whatever unscripted scene comes next.' This suggests growth without being preachy.
4. **Leave a Question or an Open Ending**: Sometimes, it’s powerful to end with a question you’re still pondering or an image that lingers. For example, 'I still don't always know how my next line will go, but now, somehow, that uncertainty feels like the best part.' This kind of ending invites the reader to reflect, too.
Example closer using your scenario:
'As the theater lights fade and applause echoes through the darkness, I no longer dread the mistakes waiting in the shadows. Instead, I find myself smiling, already wondering: what scene comes next?'
Ultimately, the strongest conclusions are honest to your experience. Avoid grand statements and focus on the specific, sometimes mundane, real ways your journey in theater changed you. It’s okay if it’s simple or even a bit unresolved—as long as it’s real. Admissions officers appreciate endings that feel earned and true to your voice.
There isn’t a single 'best' way to end a college essay, but here are some strategies that tend to work well:
1. **Circle Back to the Beginning**: If your essay started with an anecdote or a compelling image—say, missing a cue during a performance—consider coming full circle. Maybe your last paragraph can reference that moment again, illustrating how your perspective or feelings about it have evolved. This gives a sense of cohesion.
2. **End with a Moment, Not a Moral**: Instead of sharing a generalized takeaway, close on a meaningful moment that leaves an impression. For example, you could describe a small post-performance ritual that now reminds you you're resilient, like quietly touching the stage backdrop or exchanging a knowing glance with a friend. Let the reader feel the change through your experience, rather than stating it outright.
3. **Look Forward, but Be Specific**: Rather than discussing your future in vague terms, tie it back to what you learned. For instance, 'As I wait for the curtain to rise on college’s next act, I carry the lessons of backstage mishaps and improv with me, ready for whatever unscripted scene comes next.' This suggests growth without being preachy.
4. **Leave a Question or an Open Ending**: Sometimes, it’s powerful to end with a question you’re still pondering or an image that lingers. For example, 'I still don't always know how my next line will go, but now, somehow, that uncertainty feels like the best part.' This kind of ending invites the reader to reflect, too.
Example closer using your scenario:
'As the theater lights fade and applause echoes through the darkness, I no longer dread the mistakes waiting in the shadows. Instead, I find myself smiling, already wondering: what scene comes next?'
Ultimately, the strongest conclusions are honest to your experience. Avoid grand statements and focus on the specific, sometimes mundane, real ways your journey in theater changed you. It’s okay if it’s simple or even a bit unresolved—as long as it’s real. Admissions officers appreciate endings that feel earned and true to your voice.
Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years