Is it okay to end my college essay with 'in conclusion' or is that too formal?
I'm working on my Common App essay and just finished my first draft. Honestly, I’m kind of stuck on how to end it. In all my English classes, we’re told to wrap up essays with something like 'in conclusion,' but I keep reading in online blogs that you shouldn’t do that for personal statements.
Do admissions officers really care if I use those words? Would it sound weird or robotic? I don’t want to mess up the flow, but I also don’t want my essay to feel unfinished. For context, my essay is kind of a story that ties together some experiences, so I want it to feel natural at the end. Any tips on how to close out the essay in a strong way?
What did you all do for your endings?
Do admissions officers really care if I use those words? Would it sound weird or robotic? I don’t want to mess up the flow, but I also don’t want my essay to feel unfinished. For context, my essay is kind of a story that ties together some experiences, so I want it to feel natural at the end. Any tips on how to close out the essay in a strong way?
What did you all do for your endings?
6 months ago
•
29 views
Caroline Benson
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Ending your college essay with 'in conclusion' is generally not a great idea. While it works for academic essays in school, college personal statements are meant to sound authentic and personal. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, and when they see formal transition phrases like 'in conclusion,' it can make your writing feel stiff or formulaic. You want your ending to feel more like a natural finish to a story rather than a standard classroom essay.
Instead, try circling back to the main idea, a memorable image, or an anecdote from earlier in your essay. This kind of closing helps give your essay a sense of cohesion and emotional impact. For example, if you started your essay with a memory of baking bread with your grandmother, you could end by showing how that memory guides you as you step into new experiences, making the conclusion feel organic and satisfying.
Another technique is to end with a moment of reflection, showing how your experiences have shaped your perspective or goals. For instance, let’s say your essay follows your journey volunteering in your community; you might end with a line about looking forward to new ways to serve others in college. Here’s a sample of a natural ending: 'As I help stack cans at the food bank, I realize community isn’t just built—it’s chosen, moment by moment. I can’t wait to bring this same commitment to wherever I go next.'
Try reading your draft aloud and ask yourself if the ending feels like it wraps up your story naturally. If it feels forced or like something you’d hear at the end of a 5-paragraph essay, try cutting out the formal phrase and playing with a more personal, reflective tone. Think of the ending as the final, lasting impression you leave with the reader—make it count by making it your own!
Instead, try circling back to the main idea, a memorable image, or an anecdote from earlier in your essay. This kind of closing helps give your essay a sense of cohesion and emotional impact. For example, if you started your essay with a memory of baking bread with your grandmother, you could end by showing how that memory guides you as you step into new experiences, making the conclusion feel organic and satisfying.
Another technique is to end with a moment of reflection, showing how your experiences have shaped your perspective or goals. For instance, let’s say your essay follows your journey volunteering in your community; you might end with a line about looking forward to new ways to serve others in college. Here’s a sample of a natural ending: 'As I help stack cans at the food bank, I realize community isn’t just built—it’s chosen, moment by moment. I can’t wait to bring this same commitment to wherever I go next.'
Try reading your draft aloud and ask yourself if the ending feels like it wraps up your story naturally. If it feels forced or like something you’d hear at the end of a 5-paragraph essay, try cutting out the formal phrase and playing with a more personal, reflective tone. Think of the ending as the final, lasting impression you leave with the reader—make it count by making it your own!
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Caroline Benson
Upstate New York
Columbia University (BA); American University in Cairo (MA); Middlebury College (MA)
Experience
9 years