What are some good ways to start a college admission essay?
I'm starting to work on my college essays and I feel kind of stuck on the intro. When I try to write the first few lines, it just sounds boring or forced.
Is there a trick to writing a hook that actually feels personal and grabs attention? I'd love to hear what approaches people took (like a quote, a story, an interesting fact about yourself, etc.) and how you decided which one fit best.
Does anyone have advice on things to avoid or specifically what admissions officers are looking for right from the first paragraph? Would really help as I'm having a lot of trouble getting going!
Is there a trick to writing a hook that actually feels personal and grabs attention? I'd love to hear what approaches people took (like a quote, a story, an interesting fact about yourself, etc.) and how you decided which one fit best.
Does anyone have advice on things to avoid or specifically what admissions officers are looking for right from the first paragraph? Would really help as I'm having a lot of trouble getting going!
4 months ago
•
10 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Feeling stuck on the intro is incredibly common, but it can help to know that there’s no single 'right' way to start a college essay. The best hooks are ones that immediately make the reader want to keep going because they offer something unexpected, personal, or vivid.
Here are some approaches that tend to work well:
1. Start with a story or scene: Jump right into a moment that matters to you, especially if it highlights a personal value or conflict. For example, one student opened with, “The clock read 3:13 AM when I finished fixing the leak in my neighbor’s bathroom. My hands reeked of metal and chlorine, but I was too tired to care.” This puts the reader right in the action and piques their curiosity.
2. Use dialogue: If there’s a memorable exchange or something someone said to you that changed your perspective, starting with a line of dialogue can be powerful. Just make sure the dialogue is clear and relevant to your main point.
3. Start with an intriguing fact about yourself: If you have a quirky interest or an unusual experience, lead with it. For example, “I’ve eaten pineapple on pizza in five different countries.” This immediately sets you apart and invites the reader to learn more.
Tips for deciding which to use: Try drafting a few different openings and see which one feels the most you. Have a friend or family member read them and ask which grabs their attention. The key is that the opening should genuinely reflect your personality or highlight something central to your story.
Things to avoid: Common pitfalls include starting with a generic quote from someone else (like Einstein or Mandela), statements that are too broad or cliché ("From a young age, I have always loved to learn…"), and intros that take too long to get to the point. Admissions officers read thousands of essays—starting with something unique to you makes a big difference.
Admissions officers are looking for authenticity right away. They want a sense of your voice and what matters to you. If your opening feels fresh, personal, and draws them in, you’re off to a strong start.
If you get stuck, write the middle or end of your essay first and come back to the intro later. Sometimes it’s easier to craft the beginning once you know exactly where your story is going!
Here are some approaches that tend to work well:
1. Start with a story or scene: Jump right into a moment that matters to you, especially if it highlights a personal value or conflict. For example, one student opened with, “The clock read 3:13 AM when I finished fixing the leak in my neighbor’s bathroom. My hands reeked of metal and chlorine, but I was too tired to care.” This puts the reader right in the action and piques their curiosity.
2. Use dialogue: If there’s a memorable exchange or something someone said to you that changed your perspective, starting with a line of dialogue can be powerful. Just make sure the dialogue is clear and relevant to your main point.
3. Start with an intriguing fact about yourself: If you have a quirky interest or an unusual experience, lead with it. For example, “I’ve eaten pineapple on pizza in five different countries.” This immediately sets you apart and invites the reader to learn more.
Tips for deciding which to use: Try drafting a few different openings and see which one feels the most you. Have a friend or family member read them and ask which grabs their attention. The key is that the opening should genuinely reflect your personality or highlight something central to your story.
Things to avoid: Common pitfalls include starting with a generic quote from someone else (like Einstein or Mandela), statements that are too broad or cliché ("From a young age, I have always loved to learn…"), and intros that take too long to get to the point. Admissions officers read thousands of essays—starting with something unique to you makes a big difference.
Admissions officers are looking for authenticity right away. They want a sense of your voice and what matters to you. If your opening feels fresh, personal, and draws them in, you’re off to a strong start.
If you get stuck, write the middle or end of your essay first and come back to the intro later. Sometimes it’s easier to craft the beginning once you know exactly where your story is going!
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)