What are good ways to start a college application essay?

Getting started can be the hardest part, especially when you know how impactful the introduction will be. For a topic like moving to a new city and building resilience, you have a few great options, and it depends on what feels most authentic for you.

One strong method is starting with a vivid, specific anecdote. This means dropping the reader right into a moment of transition or realization—a scene that shows you learning or struggling, before you explain what you gained from it. For example, you could open with a sensory detail: 'The unfamiliar jingling of subway coins in my pocket was the soundtrack of my first week in Chicago.' This approach helps the reader feel what you felt and immediately draws them in.

Another way is to start with a single intriguing line or surprising statement that sets up your theme. For example: 'I never imagined a cardboard box could feel like both an anchor and a lifeboat.' This makes the reader curious about what you mean, and you can reveal that the cardboard box was part of packing up your old life and starting over.

Asking a question is also an option, especially if it’s reflective and sets up your journey: 'What does it mean to start over when everything feels unfamiliar?' Just be careful—if you choose this route, follow up immediately with something personal so it doesn’t come across as generic.

Try writing three different types of intros—a story, a bold statement, and a question. Compare how each one feels, and see which naturally leads into the rest of your essay. Don’t be afraid to experiment. The intro doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try. You might find that you end up revising it after you’ve written the body, once your main message is clearer.

Focus on showing rather than just telling. Let the reader sense the environment, the emotion, and the stakes of your move. Before you know it, your opening will pull the reader in, making them want to see how your story unfolds.