What are some effective tips for writing a strong college admission essay?

Feeling stuck on your college admissions essays is totally normal, and the fact that you’re thinking seriously about how to stand out already puts you in a good place. Here are some tips and examples that might help:

1. Personal stories win: Admissions officers read thousands of essays each season, many about similar achievements or challenges. What will set you apart is a story that only you could tell. Don’t just list your activities; dig into a moment, feeling, or turning point that reveals something personal. For example, instead of writing about winning a science fair, focus on the night you failed an experiment and what that specific moment taught you about patience or curiosity.

2. Reflect more than you narrate: The best essays use experiences to show how you think and who you are. It’s not just about what happened, but how it changed you. If you volunteered, don’t simply describe your duties—share an unexpected emotion or a new viewpoint you gained. If you moved often as a kid, maybe zoom in on the night before starting at a new school and how you coped.

3. Authentic voice: Write the way you speak when you’re telling a story to a favorite teacher or friend. It should be polished—no slang or internet abbreviations—but not stiff. Reading your draft out loud (or having someone read it to you) can help you strike the right tone. You want sincerity, not an exaggerated "I’m perfect!" vibe.

4. Avoid clichés: Topics like sports victories, generic hardship, or simply listing accolades tend to blend together unless approached from a very unique angle. If you do write about a common subject, hone in on something unusual, like a particular moment of doubt or a quirky detail.

5. Brainstorm specifics: Jot down five moments that genuinely mattered to you, even if they seem small—a conversation with a family member, a failure that stung, a late-night realization. Sometimes the ordinary is more revealing than big achievements.

6. Drafting and editing: Don’t be afraid of rough drafts. Try writing a messy first version without worrying about word limits, then cut what doesn’t serve your story. Have someone you trust read for clarity and voice, but make sure the essay still sounds like you.

Example: One student I worked with wrote about baking bread with her grandmother every Sunday. The essay wasn’t just about the activity—it touched on family tradition, resilience, and how kneading dough helped the student process grief. Simple, but powerful and personal.

Above all, remember there’s no one right way to write a strong essay. Your authentic perspective is the part colleges want to get to know.