What are colleges actually looking for in Common App essays?
This might sound like a basic question, but I've been working on my Common App essay drafts and I'm starting to get confused about what admissions officers really want to see. Is it more about the specific story I tell or about how I describe my personal growth?
I've looked at tons of examples online and some of them are super dramatic, while others seem more subtle but reflective. I'm worried my topic might not be "big" enough, but it's definitely personal to me. If anyone has insights or examples of what made a Common App essay stand out to colleges, please share!
I just really want to make sure my essay checks the right boxes and shows who I am, but I want to know what actually matters to the readers.
I've looked at tons of examples online and some of them are super dramatic, while others seem more subtle but reflective. I'm worried my topic might not be "big" enough, but it's definitely personal to me. If anyone has insights or examples of what made a Common App essay stand out to colleges, please share!
I just really want to make sure my essay checks the right boxes and shows who I am, but I want to know what actually matters to the readers.
4 months ago
•
9 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
It’s totally understandable to feel overwhelmed by the wide range of Common App essay examples online! Admissions officers really are not looking for a "big" or dramatic story—they’re looking for an honest, thoughtful glimpse into who you are.
What matters most is your voice and your ability to reflect on a meaningful experience. The specific story you tell is useful mainly as a vehicle to reveal your personality, your perspective, and how you think. It doesn’t matter if your topic is subtle or not tied to a grand achievement; what matters is how you communicate what it meant to you and how you grew from it.
For example, consider someone who writes about the small tradition of cooking a family recipe every Sunday. Instead of just describing the routine, they reflect on what this ritual has taught them about family, perseverance, or even creativity in the kitchen. Maybe cooking became a way to connect to relatives across generations or helped them reconnect after a difficult period.
Admissions officers want essays that show depth and self-awareness. They're looking for essays that:
- Reveal values or character (curiosity, resilience, compassion, humor)
- Offer personal insights you can’t find elsewhere in your application
- Demonstrate growth or a shift in perspective, even if it’s subtle
- Are written authentically—in your own true voice
Don’t worry if your topic isn’t flashy! A quiet moment of personal realization can be just as compelling as a dramatic event, as long as it helps the reader understand what matters to you.
To make your essay stand out, focus on showing—through concrete details and reflection—how an experience shaped you. Instead of worrying about the magnitude of your story, think about what only you could write. If after reading your essay, someone feels like they’d like to have a conversation with you, you’ve succeeded.
In summary, colleges want to see who you are and how you think—not just what happened to you. Stay personal, reflect deeply, and stay true to your own story.
What matters most is your voice and your ability to reflect on a meaningful experience. The specific story you tell is useful mainly as a vehicle to reveal your personality, your perspective, and how you think. It doesn’t matter if your topic is subtle or not tied to a grand achievement; what matters is how you communicate what it meant to you and how you grew from it.
For example, consider someone who writes about the small tradition of cooking a family recipe every Sunday. Instead of just describing the routine, they reflect on what this ritual has taught them about family, perseverance, or even creativity in the kitchen. Maybe cooking became a way to connect to relatives across generations or helped them reconnect after a difficult period.
Admissions officers want essays that show depth and self-awareness. They're looking for essays that:
- Reveal values or character (curiosity, resilience, compassion, humor)
- Offer personal insights you can’t find elsewhere in your application
- Demonstrate growth or a shift in perspective, even if it’s subtle
- Are written authentically—in your own true voice
Don’t worry if your topic isn’t flashy! A quiet moment of personal realization can be just as compelling as a dramatic event, as long as it helps the reader understand what matters to you.
To make your essay stand out, focus on showing—through concrete details and reflection—how an experience shaped you. Instead of worrying about the magnitude of your story, think about what only you could write. If after reading your essay, someone feels like they’d like to have a conversation with you, you’ve succeeded.
In summary, colleges want to see who you are and how you think—not just what happened to you. Stay personal, reflect deeply, and stay true to your own story.
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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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