What makes a college admissions essay stand out as 'good'?
I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my college admissions essays and I'm kind of stuck. I keep seeing advice about what makes a 'good' essay, but I'm not always sure what actually stands out to admissions officers.
Is it about picking some totally unique topic, or is the writing style more important? For example, I've read some people talk about personal growth or challenges, but then others say to show your passion or sense of humor. I guess I'm just worried because my life feels pretty regular and I don't know if that's interesting enough.
For those of you who've already written your essays or have been through the process, what do you think made your essays 'good'? Any tips on starting strong?
Is it about picking some totally unique topic, or is the writing style more important? For example, I've read some people talk about personal growth or challenges, but then others say to show your passion or sense of humor. I guess I'm just worried because my life feels pretty regular and I don't know if that's interesting enough.
For those of you who've already written your essays or have been through the process, what do you think made your essays 'good'? Any tips on starting strong?
6 months ago
•
37 views
Caroline Benson
• 6 months ago
Advisor
A college admissions essay really stands out when it feels authentic, specific, and gives a glimpse into who you are beyond your grades and activities. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so they remember the ones that feel like only you could have written them—not just because of the topic, but because of the details, voice, and self-reflection.
You don't have to have a shocking life experience or something 'big' to write about. The moments that shape us often seem small or ordinary at first glance, but it's how you describe them and what you draw from them that matters. For instance, maybe you grew up sharing a bedroom with your brother, and over time learned about conflict, compromise, and connection. If you show a vivid scene—like you both arguing over bedtime noise, then bonding over a late-night conversation—that can be much more engaging than, say, just listing all your achievements or summarizing your life story.
As you brainstorm, try these tips:
1. **Focus on a specific moment or detail**: Instead of tackling a huge topic, zero in on one event or experience. For example, instead of writing about how you developed resilience, write about the exact moment when you spilled coffee during your first job, what you felt in that instant, and how you handled it. Pull readers in with sensory and emotional details.
2. **Show your thought process**: Reflect on what you learned, how you changed, or why the experience matters to you. Admissions officers want insight into how you think and grow, even from everyday situations.
3. **Let your personality come through**: If you love humor, use it—but don't force it. If you're passionate about a hobby, show why it excites you, not just that you do it. The tone should sound like you, not what you think an essay 'should' sound like.
One example: A student once described how making dumplings with their grandmother every Sunday helped them reconnect with family traditions. Instead of focusing on cultural heritage in the abstract, the essay centered on the flour dust, laughter, and the quiet pride of folding the perfect dumpling for the first time.
Start by jotting down memorable moments—times you felt challenged, proud, surprised, or changed, even in small ways. Then, pick one and try describing it out loud or in writing, just like you’d tell a friend. That’s often where great essays begin.
You don't have to have a shocking life experience or something 'big' to write about. The moments that shape us often seem small or ordinary at first glance, but it's how you describe them and what you draw from them that matters. For instance, maybe you grew up sharing a bedroom with your brother, and over time learned about conflict, compromise, and connection. If you show a vivid scene—like you both arguing over bedtime noise, then bonding over a late-night conversation—that can be much more engaging than, say, just listing all your achievements or summarizing your life story.
As you brainstorm, try these tips:
1. **Focus on a specific moment or detail**: Instead of tackling a huge topic, zero in on one event or experience. For example, instead of writing about how you developed resilience, write about the exact moment when you spilled coffee during your first job, what you felt in that instant, and how you handled it. Pull readers in with sensory and emotional details.
2. **Show your thought process**: Reflect on what you learned, how you changed, or why the experience matters to you. Admissions officers want insight into how you think and grow, even from everyday situations.
3. **Let your personality come through**: If you love humor, use it—but don't force it. If you're passionate about a hobby, show why it excites you, not just that you do it. The tone should sound like you, not what you think an essay 'should' sound like.
One example: A student once described how making dumplings with their grandmother every Sunday helped them reconnect with family traditions. Instead of focusing on cultural heritage in the abstract, the essay centered on the flour dust, laughter, and the quiet pride of folding the perfect dumpling for the first time.
Start by jotting down memorable moments—times you felt challenged, proud, surprised, or changed, even in small ways. Then, pick one and try describing it out loud or in writing, just like you’d tell a friend. That’s often where great essays begin.
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Caroline Benson
Upstate New York
Columbia University (BA); American University in Cairo (MA); Middlebury College (MA)
Experience
9 years