Is it necessary to give my college essay a title?
I'm working on my Common App essay right now and I'm stuck on whether I need to come up with a title or not. Some of my friends said they didn't include titles, but others told me that adding a creative title catches the admissions officer's attention.
I really want my essay to stand out, but I also don't want to do something that's unnecessary or might seem out of place. What do most people usually do? If I do add a title, should it be something simple or more creative? Any advice from people who have already gone through this would be super helpful.
A little stressed figuring out what admissions officers actually want!
I really want my essay to stand out, but I also don't want to do something that's unnecessary or might seem out of place. What do most people usually do? If I do add a title, should it be something simple or more creative? Any advice from people who have already gone through this would be super helpful.
A little stressed figuring out what admissions officers actually want!
4 months ago
•
14 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You're definitely not alone in wondering about this! The good news is that for the Common App personal statement, a title is completely optional—there’s no requirement to include one, and the majority of applicants actually skip it. Admissions officers are used to reading essays both with and without titles, so not having a title will never hurt your chances or make your essay seem unfinished.
Still, in certain cases, a well-chosen title can add a nice touch. A creative or intriguing title can serve as a hook, giving your reader a sense of what’s to come or highlighting your unique voice. For example, one student wrote an essay about her fascination with vintage postcards and titled it “Address Unknown,” which drew the reader in and made her essay more memorable. On the other hand, a generic or overly complicated title can feel forced or distracting.
If you do decide to include a title, keep it short, meaningful, and relevant to your theme or story. Ask yourself: does the title add something, or is it just taking up space? If it feels natural and enhances the tone or intrigue of your essay, go for it! If you’re finding it hard to come up with one, or if your essay feels complete without it, it’s perfectly fine to leave the title off.
Ultimately, the content and authenticity of your essay matter far more than whether it has a title. Don’t let this detail stress you out or distract you from refining your actual story and writing. Many successful applicants never use titles! Focus your energy on showcasing your unique perspective and voice.
Still, in certain cases, a well-chosen title can add a nice touch. A creative or intriguing title can serve as a hook, giving your reader a sense of what’s to come or highlighting your unique voice. For example, one student wrote an essay about her fascination with vintage postcards and titled it “Address Unknown,” which drew the reader in and made her essay more memorable. On the other hand, a generic or overly complicated title can feel forced or distracting.
If you do decide to include a title, keep it short, meaningful, and relevant to your theme or story. Ask yourself: does the title add something, or is it just taking up space? If it feels natural and enhances the tone or intrigue of your essay, go for it! If you’re finding it hard to come up with one, or if your essay feels complete without it, it’s perfectly fine to leave the title off.
Ultimately, the content and authenticity of your essay matter far more than whether it has a title. Don’t let this detail stress you out or distract you from refining your actual story and writing. Many successful applicants never use titles! Focus your energy on showcasing your unique perspective and voice.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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