Why do colleges require applicants to write essays?
I was just starting my college applications, and I noticed that almost every school is asking for essays, sometimes multiple. I get that they want to learn more about us, but isn’t that what our transcripts, test scores, and activities are for?
Is there a specific reason colleges need essays from everyone? Are they looking for writing ability, personality, or something else? I’m a little nervous because writing isn't really my strongest subject. Any insight or experiences would be appreciated as I’m trying to figure out how much focus I need to put into these essays.
Is there a specific reason colleges need essays from everyone? Are they looking for writing ability, personality, or something else? I’m a little nervous because writing isn't really my strongest subject. Any insight or experiences would be appreciated as I’m trying to figure out how much focus I need to put into these essays.
4 months ago
•
19 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Colleges ask for essays because they want to see dimensions of you that just don’t come through in grades, test scores, or activity lists. While those parts are helpful for understanding your academic abilities and what you do outside of classes, the essay is your chance to show your personality, thought process, and how you approach life.
Admissions officers read thousands of applications where GPAs and SAT/ACT scores are often very similar. The essay helps them answer questions like: What kind of person are you? What values or perspectives do you bring to campus? How do you reflect on experiences, overcome challenges, and grow? They’re looking for a sense of your authenticity, your voice, and sometimes your potential contributions to their campus community.
Writing ability does matter—a well-structured, clearly-written essay shows you can communicate effectively, which is important for college-level work. But the most successful essays aren’t always the most academic or perfectly polished. Instead, they feel genuine, specific to you, and let the reader get a sense of who you are. For example, a student who wrote about their after-school job at a grocery store explained how the repetitive work taught them to appreciate small interactions and opened their eyes to the stories of people in their community. It wasn’t dramatic or fancy, but the insight and personal voice made it stand out.
If writing isn’t your strongest area, don’t panic! Focus on being honest and letting your personality come through instead of trying to sound formal or use big words. Ask someone you trust to read your drafts and give feedback. Schools understand everyone comes from different backgrounds, and a well-told story about something meaningful to you is often more powerful than a perfect essay about a generic topic.
Definitely devote time to your essays—they’re a key part of how you set yourself apart, especially at selective schools. But think of it as a chance to introduce yourself as more than just a set of numbers.
Admissions officers read thousands of applications where GPAs and SAT/ACT scores are often very similar. The essay helps them answer questions like: What kind of person are you? What values or perspectives do you bring to campus? How do you reflect on experiences, overcome challenges, and grow? They’re looking for a sense of your authenticity, your voice, and sometimes your potential contributions to their campus community.
Writing ability does matter—a well-structured, clearly-written essay shows you can communicate effectively, which is important for college-level work. But the most successful essays aren’t always the most academic or perfectly polished. Instead, they feel genuine, specific to you, and let the reader get a sense of who you are. For example, a student who wrote about their after-school job at a grocery store explained how the repetitive work taught them to appreciate small interactions and opened their eyes to the stories of people in their community. It wasn’t dramatic or fancy, but the insight and personal voice made it stand out.
If writing isn’t your strongest area, don’t panic! Focus on being honest and letting your personality come through instead of trying to sound formal or use big words. Ask someone you trust to read your drafts and give feedback. Schools understand everyone comes from different backgrounds, and a well-told story about something meaningful to you is often more powerful than a perfect essay about a generic topic.
Definitely devote time to your essays—they’re a key part of how you set yourself apart, especially at selective schools. But think of it as a chance to introduce yourself as more than just a set of numbers.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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