What is the best way to start your college application essay?
I'm getting ready to write my Common App essay and I keep hearing that the first few lines are super important for grabbing the reader's attention. I have a few general story ideas but I'm really stuck on how to actually start. Should I use a quote, jump right into a story, or just explain the main idea from the beginning?
I would love to hear how other people approached their opening paragraph or if there are any strategies that have worked well for you. I keep second guessing myself and really want to make a strong first impression.
I would love to hear how other people approached their opening paragraph or if there are any strategies that have worked well for you. I keep second guessing myself and really want to make a strong first impression.
4 months ago
•
15 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
The opening of your college application essay is definitely important, but there isn't a single "best" way to start—it depends on your writing style, topic, and what feels most authentic to you. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so it's wise to avoid generic openings like famous quotes or dictionary definitions, unless the quote is extremely personal or unique to your story.
Many strong essays begin with an anecdote or a vivid moment. Jumping straight into a scene can immerse the reader and make them want to keep reading. For example, instead of stating, "Moving schools was hard for me," you might start with, "I stared at the unfamiliar cafeteria, my lunch tray trembling in my hands—next to me, two classmates debated the best pizza place in town, oblivious to the new kid sliding into a seat."
Another strategy is to drop the reader into a moment of conflict or tension. If your essay is about overcoming stage fright, maybe your first line sounds like: "My voice squeaked, barely audible, as forty pairs of eyes bore into me from the auditorium seats."
Some people prefer to open with a thought-provoking question or statement, especially if it reveals your voice and leads naturally into your story. For instance: "Why do I keep every rejection letter I've ever received? Because each one tells a different story."
My advice is to draft a few different openings and see which one feels the most compelling, authentic, and natural for the story you're telling. Don’t stress if you have to rewrite your opening several times; that's completely normal. Once you write the body of your essay, you'll often find it easier to craft a great opening that ties everything together.
If you find yourself second-guessing your introduction, try sharing it with a friend or mentor for feedback. Ultimately, choose an opening that feels true to your experience and voice, and that invites the reader to learn more about you as a person.
Many strong essays begin with an anecdote or a vivid moment. Jumping straight into a scene can immerse the reader and make them want to keep reading. For example, instead of stating, "Moving schools was hard for me," you might start with, "I stared at the unfamiliar cafeteria, my lunch tray trembling in my hands—next to me, two classmates debated the best pizza place in town, oblivious to the new kid sliding into a seat."
Another strategy is to drop the reader into a moment of conflict or tension. If your essay is about overcoming stage fright, maybe your first line sounds like: "My voice squeaked, barely audible, as forty pairs of eyes bore into me from the auditorium seats."
Some people prefer to open with a thought-provoking question or statement, especially if it reveals your voice and leads naturally into your story. For instance: "Why do I keep every rejection letter I've ever received? Because each one tells a different story."
My advice is to draft a few different openings and see which one feels the most compelling, authentic, and natural for the story you're telling. Don’t stress if you have to rewrite your opening several times; that's completely normal. Once you write the body of your essay, you'll often find it easier to craft a great opening that ties everything together.
If you find yourself second-guessing your introduction, try sharing it with a friend or mentor for feedback. Ultimately, choose an opening that feels true to your experience and voice, and that invites the reader to learn more about you as a person.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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