What are some good ways to wrap up a college essay without using 'in conclusion'?
I'm working on my personal statement and I feel like my ending kind of just... stops. I don't want to use the phrase 'in conclusion' since I've heard that's too formal and overdone for college essays. I know the ending is supposed to leave an impression and tie things together, but I'm not sure what the best approach is.
How do other people make the ending of their essay feel impactful? Are there certain types of sentences, phrases, or even structures that work well for conclusions? If anyone has read successful essays or has tips for making the ending flow naturally, I'd really appreciate it. I'm worried my ending is too abrupt or feels repetitive, but I'm stuck on how to fix it!
How do other people make the ending of their essay feel impactful? Are there certain types of sentences, phrases, or even structures that work well for conclusions? If anyone has read successful essays or has tips for making the ending flow naturally, I'd really appreciate it. I'm worried my ending is too abrupt or feels repetitive, but I'm stuck on how to fix it!
4 months ago
•
24 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
It's totally normal to get stuck on the ending—many people find it’s the trickiest part! A powerful college essay closing should feel natural and thoughtful, circling back to your main theme or leaving the reader with a memorable image or insight.
Instead of formal phrases like "in conclusion" or a summary, consider one of these approaches:
1. "Full Circle" Structure: Bring your essay back to where it started. If you opened with a specific anecdote, image, or question, revisit it in your final lines. For example, if your essay opened by describing the smell of your grandmother's kitchen, you could end by mentioning that smell again, but with new significance, showing your growth.
2. Forward-Looking: End by looking to the future, but connect it to your story. Rather than generic statements about "using these skills in college," be specific. For example, "With paint still clinging to my fingernails, I know my next mural is waiting for me—perhaps on the campus walls I hope to call home."
3. Poignant Detail: Conclude with a vivid, specific detail that captures the emotion or significance of your journey. If you wrote about overcoming stage fright, you might end with "As the theater lights dim, my heart races with anticipation—not fear."
4. Insightful Realization: Share a final reflection or lesson, but show, don’t tell. Instead of “This experience made me grow,” try something like, "Now, when I face the unknown, I remember the cracked pavement beneath my sneakers that morning, and I step forward anyway."
Successful essays often let the reader linger on a striking image, a resonant thought, or a sense of ongoing curiosity.
It can help to read your essay aloud and see if the ending leaves a sense of completion or if more connection to the beginning or main theme is needed. Try writing several different endings and see which one resonates most.
If you want inspiration, take a look at published essay compilations—notice how rarely they use formal signals like "in conclusion," and how often they end with a feeling, image, or idea that’s distinctly personal and memorable.
Keep your ending authentic to your voice, and trust that even a few thoughtful tweaks can make it much more impactful!
Instead of formal phrases like "in conclusion" or a summary, consider one of these approaches:
1. "Full Circle" Structure: Bring your essay back to where it started. If you opened with a specific anecdote, image, or question, revisit it in your final lines. For example, if your essay opened by describing the smell of your grandmother's kitchen, you could end by mentioning that smell again, but with new significance, showing your growth.
2. Forward-Looking: End by looking to the future, but connect it to your story. Rather than generic statements about "using these skills in college," be specific. For example, "With paint still clinging to my fingernails, I know my next mural is waiting for me—perhaps on the campus walls I hope to call home."
3. Poignant Detail: Conclude with a vivid, specific detail that captures the emotion or significance of your journey. If you wrote about overcoming stage fright, you might end with "As the theater lights dim, my heart races with anticipation—not fear."
4. Insightful Realization: Share a final reflection or lesson, but show, don’t tell. Instead of “This experience made me grow,” try something like, "Now, when I face the unknown, I remember the cracked pavement beneath my sneakers that morning, and I step forward anyway."
Successful essays often let the reader linger on a striking image, a resonant thought, or a sense of ongoing curiosity.
It can help to read your essay aloud and see if the ending leaves a sense of completion or if more connection to the beginning or main theme is needed. Try writing several different endings and see which one resonates most.
If you want inspiration, take a look at published essay compilations—notice how rarely they use formal signals like "in conclusion," and how often they end with a feeling, image, or idea that’s distinctly personal and memorable.
Keep your ending authentic to your voice, and trust that even a few thoughtful tweaks can make it much more impactful!
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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5.0 (5 reviews)