What is the best way to end a college essay?

Finishing your Common App essay with a strong conclusion is key to leaving a memorable impression. An effective ending doesn't just summarize what you've already said — it gives your essay a sense of completion, while also inviting the reader to think more about who you are.

Circling back to your opening anecdote is a tried-and-true method, especially if you can show growth or a new perspective since the beginning of your essay. For example, if you opened by describing your feelings during your first debate competition, you could end by reflecting on how that initial nervousness shaped the confidence you now carry into other aspects of your life. This kind of 'full-circle' ending provides both narrative satisfaction and emotional impact.

Another approach is the 'forward-looking' conclusion, where you connect your story to future aspirations. But instead of saying something broad like, “I hope to continue learning and growing in college,” try linking a specific lesson or moment from your essay to the type of community or experiences you want in college. Let's say your essay focused on cooking with your grandmother and learning resilience from her — you might end by describing how you look forward to building new traditions and sharing stories around a college dining table, much as you did at home.

Quoting someone else as your final line can be risky. Unless the quote is highly relevant, personal, and not easily found on an inspirational poster, it can come off as generic or cliché. If the quote weaves organically into your story — say, a phrase your father always uses that inspired a key decision — it might work. But as a rule, your own words will be more powerful.

Try to end on an image, a brief reflection, or a single thought that lingers. For example, one applicant wrote about restoring an old bicycle with her grandfather. Her essay ended with: “Years later, as I glide down the hill on that same bike, I know that every dent and patch holds a story — not just of where I've been, but of where I’m ready to go.” It's specific, visual, and meaningful.

Above all, your conclusion should feel earned based on your essay's journey, not tacked on or generic. Read your draft aloud and ask yourself: does this leave the reader with a real sense of who I am, or could this line be at the end of anyone’s essay? If it's the latter, keep digging. Often, the final sentence is strongest when it echoes something personal and true to your story.