What are some tips for writing a strong college entrance essay?

Feeling stressed about the college essay at the start is totally normal, but you don’t have to try to be the most unique person ever to write a great one. The best essays are genuine and reveal something specific about who you are, how you think, and what matters to you. Admissions officers read thousands of essays; what makes an essay stand out isn’t always the topic, but the unique perspective you bring to it.

You absolutely don’t need to focus only on a major life event! Sometimes, essays about small, meaningful moments are actually more impactful because they feel real and personal. For example, a student once wrote an amazing essay about helping their grandma cook every Sunday. It wasn’t about cooking itself, but what those afternoons taught them about patience, family, and communication across generations. Another student used a two-minute interaction at a school dance as a lens to talk about overcoming shyness. Those worked because the writers offered insight into their character through a specific moment.

Here are a few concrete tips:

1. Reflect before you start: Think about moments in your life that made you think or grow, even if they seem minor. Ask yourself how a certain event, person, or decision shaped who you are now.

2. Start small and specific: Instead of writing, "I learned the value of hard work after a tough basketball season," pull the reader in with a specific scene—like the time you showed up to practice at 6am alone. Include details you remember: sights, sounds, emotions.

3. Show, don’t just tell: Let your actions or thoughts demonstrate qualities like resilience or curiosity. Readers like to be able to picture what’s happening and feel what you felt.

4. Be authentic: It’s better to sound like yourself, not what you think admissions wants to hear. Write your first draft as you would tell a friend; you can polish the language later.

5. Get feedback but keep your voice: Having a teacher or friend read your draft is helpful, but make sure the essay still sounds like you—not a teacher or parent. Tweaking is good, but don’t let edits erase your style.

If you’re looking for inspiration, try searching for "college essay examples that worked" from top schools—read how students wrote about topics you might consider mundane, and pay attention to their details and voice.

Remember, a small, honest moment can be just as strong as a big life event when you use it to reveal something real about yourself. Focus on the story only you can tell, and you’re on the right track.