What are some essential tips for writing strong college essays?

Feeling overwhelmed at the start is totally normal—college essays have a ton of pressure around them, but breaking down the process can help you write something genuine and eye-catching.

First, focus on authenticity: admissions officers want to get to know you beyond your grades and extracurriculars. Instead of listing accomplishments, choose a story or topic that reveals something real about your personality, values, or perspective. For example, instead of summarizing your debate wins, maybe describe a single debate where you changed your mind, what led to it, and how it affected your approach to conversation.

For the Common App essay, try following these steps:
1. Brainstorm a few moments when you learned something significant about yourself. These can be big or small—a moment you stood up for someone, a surprising failure, or even a quirky hobby you pursued. Don’t worry about sounding impressive; unique details or experiences matter more.
2. Choose one story and reflect on why it still feels important. How did it shape your view or actions? Connect this to bigger personal qualities (like resilience, empathy, curiosity).
3. Start with an engaging opening—maybe drop the reader right into the moment, like a scene in a book.
4. Share your internal thoughts and emotions, not just what happened. That’s where your personal voice comes through.
5. End by reflecting on growth or how this shapes who you are now. Even a small insight is powerful.

For supplements, make sure to answer the exact prompt. If a school asks why you want to attend, connect your interests directly to something unique at that college (academics, clubs, programs). Don’t copy and paste; tailor your answers each time.

On structure, keep it tight and organized—college essays aren’t formal papers, but having a clear beginning, middle, and end is important. Active voice usually sounds more lively. Read examples out loud or ask a friend to read your draft so you can spot where your voice shines or feels generic.

Topics to avoid unless you have a truly unique perspective: sports injuries, moving schools, grandparents' influence, or resurfacing generic challenges (like "I worked hard and learned perseverance"). If you must write about these, focus on one specific, memorable moment, and show how you responded in an unexpected way.

Remember, don’t just retell your resume—let your essays complement it. If your activities show leadership, maybe your essay can show creativity or humor. Most importantly, stay true to yourself. Colleges are building communities and want to see who you’ll be within them.

As an example, a student I worked with once wrote about their love of making intricate origami, tying it back to problem-solving and their desire to build and create connections. It was memorable, quirky, and personal—a perfect mix. That’s the feeling you want to capture!

Start writing drafts early, allow time for feedback and revision, and don’t be afraid to take a few creative risks.