What are the best tips for writing a standout college admissions essay?

Feeling overwhelmed is totally normal—there’s a lot of advice out there! The most important thing is to make your essay feel personal and engaging, as if you’re having a one-on-one conversation with someone who’s genuinely interested in getting to know you. Here are some practical tips that can help you stand out:

1. Start with a vivid moment. When people say "hook," they usually mean an opening that grabs attention. Instead of a famous quote or a dramatic statement, try describing a scene: a specific moment, conversation, or image that represents something meaningful about you. For example, rather than starting with “Soccer has always been my passion,” open with a sensory detail: “My cleats squelched in the soaked grass as I watched the clock tick down, heart pounding.” This drops the reader right into your experience.

2. Focus on depth, not breadth. Essays tend to be more memorable when they dive deeply into one event or moment, reflecting on its significance. You don’t need to cover years of your life—often, a small story reveals a bigger truth. For instance, maybe your habit of making omelets every Saturday with your younger sibling revealed your love of mentoring and sparked your interest in teaching. Pinpoint a single event that changed your perspective or showed something unique about you, then expand on its impact.

3. Show, don’t just tell. Instead of listing adjectives ("I am hardworking, empathetic, resilient"), show those traits in action. Use dialogue, physical reactions, or small details. For example, if you helped a neighbor with groceries when they were struggling, describe the moment and how it made you think differently about your community.

4. Be authentic, not perfect. Don’t write what you think admissions wants to hear. If you have doubts, fears, or hesitations—those can make your story more relatable. Colleges see lots of essays that try too hard to impress, but the ones that stick are sincere and specific.

5. End with reflection. After sharing your example or story, take a paragraph or two to explain what you learned or how you changed. How did this shape your goals or your sense of self?

For example, one student wrote about failing a driving test and focused more on the conversation with her father afterwards—how that sparked vulnerability, honesty, and grew their relationship. The story wasn’t about driving, but about connection and resilience.

Don’t stress too much about being “basic.” A deeply personal, honest essay about a simple moment can be far more memorable than an essay about a grand achievement. If you write about something only you could write, it deserves a place in your application.

Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and jot down 3-4 moments that stand out to you—big or small. Pick the one that sparks the most thoughts or emotion as your starting point. Most of all, let your authentic voice lead, and revision can come later!