What is the best way to start a college essay?
I’m working on my college essays and I seriously have no clue how to start the first one. Every time I try, it either sounds way too formal or just super generic. Does anyone have tips on writing a good opening, or maybe some examples of how others have started theirs?
I don’t want admissions officers to be bored in the first couple of lines, but I also want to make sure I sound like my real self. I’ve tried reading a bunch of online guides but all the advice starts to get repetitive after a while. Should I try to jump right into a story or is it better to introduce the topic first?
If anyone has suggestions or examples that helped them, I would really appreciate it! I’m getting stuck at this part and feel like everything depends on these first sentences.
I don’t want admissions officers to be bored in the first couple of lines, but I also want to make sure I sound like my real self. I’ve tried reading a bunch of online guides but all the advice starts to get repetitive after a while. Should I try to jump right into a story or is it better to introduce the topic first?
If anyone has suggestions or examples that helped them, I would really appreciate it! I’m getting stuck at this part and feel like everything depends on these first sentences.
4 months ago
•
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Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Starting your college essay is often the hardest part, but it can also be the most fun if you give yourself permission to experiment. The best introductions pull the reader in right away, making them want to keep reading, and they do this most effectively through a vivid moment, a unique voice, or a surprising image.
One great technique is to drop the reader into the middle of a scene—think of it like the opening of a movie. For example, rather than announcing, “I am passionate about baking,” you might open with: “The smoke alarm blared as my chocolate soufflé caved in. Someone once told me failure was the best teacher, but I didn’t expect her to be so loud at 2 a.m.” A scene like this immediately hooks the reader and gives a sense of who you are without sounding forced or generic.
Alternatively, you can begin with a compelling detail or unexpected statement. For instance, “My fingers were stained blue for weeks after the tie-dye disaster. It still makes me smile.” This kind of opening sets a tone and invites curiosity—why are their fingers blue? What’s the tie-dye disaster? This curiosity is what keeps admissions officers reading.
Some students find it helpful to write the body of their essay first and then return to the introduction, since you’ll have a clearer picture of what story you’re telling and what mood you want to set. Don’t be afraid to write two or three different openings before settling on the one that feels most ‘you.’ Read your intro aloud—does it sound like something you’d actually say? Does it lead naturally into the rest of your essay?
It’s also okay if your first draft feels rough. Focus on getting something onto the page, and you’ll be able to revise it as your essay comes together. Remember, the opening should do two things: get the reader’s attention, and give them a glimpse of your personality.
Main takeaway: start with a specific moment, an intriguing detail, or a line of dialogue. Keep it true to your voice and don’t feel pressured to sound overly formal. College essays are a place to show, not just tell, who you are.
One great technique is to drop the reader into the middle of a scene—think of it like the opening of a movie. For example, rather than announcing, “I am passionate about baking,” you might open with: “The smoke alarm blared as my chocolate soufflé caved in. Someone once told me failure was the best teacher, but I didn’t expect her to be so loud at 2 a.m.” A scene like this immediately hooks the reader and gives a sense of who you are without sounding forced or generic.
Alternatively, you can begin with a compelling detail or unexpected statement. For instance, “My fingers were stained blue for weeks after the tie-dye disaster. It still makes me smile.” This kind of opening sets a tone and invites curiosity—why are their fingers blue? What’s the tie-dye disaster? This curiosity is what keeps admissions officers reading.
Some students find it helpful to write the body of their essay first and then return to the introduction, since you’ll have a clearer picture of what story you’re telling and what mood you want to set. Don’t be afraid to write two or three different openings before settling on the one that feels most ‘you.’ Read your intro aloud—does it sound like something you’d actually say? Does it lead naturally into the rest of your essay?
It’s also okay if your first draft feels rough. Focus on getting something onto the page, and you’ll be able to revise it as your essay comes together. Remember, the opening should do two things: get the reader’s attention, and give them a glimpse of your personality.
Main takeaway: start with a specific moment, an intriguing detail, or a line of dialogue. Keep it true to your voice and don’t feel pressured to sound overly formal. College essays are a place to show, not just tell, who you are.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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