What are some tips for writing a standout college application essay?

Feeling nervous about the college essay is completely normal, especially since it often feels like the most personal part of your application. The most impressive essays aren't necessarily about wild accomplishments or dramatic events—they're the ones that feel authentic, specific, and give insight into who you are beyond grades and test scores.

Here are some tips to help you write a standout essay:

1. Focus on a specific moment or detail. Rather than tackling your whole life story or a broad struggle, choose a particular experience that had a big impact on you. For example, instead of writing about the challenge of moving to a new school (a common topic), maybe focus on a single lunch period when you reached out to a new classmate or a project where you bonded with someone in an unexpected way. Zooming into a moment helps your story feel real and memorable.

2. Show growth or change. Admissions readers want to see how you think and how you've grown. You don't need to end your story with you 'winning' or everything working out perfectly. It's more powerful to share what you learned from the experience, especially if it was uncomfortable or didn’t have a happy ending.

3. Be honest—don’t write what you think colleges want to hear. Authenticity stands out. If you have a quirky interest (like restoring old radios or getting obsessed with bread baking during quarantine), write about that in a way that connects to your perspective or growth. One great example: a student wrote about collecting PEZ dispensers and tied it to how small curiosities can lead to big passions.

4. Make sure it’s about you. Even if you talk about a person or event, make sure the focus comes back to your feelings and reflections, not just what happened. After telling a story, ask yourself: What does this reveal about me that isn’t shown elsewhere in my application?

5. Avoid clichés. Topics like sports victories, the big game injury, or a travel experience aren’t off-limits, but you do need to be incredibly specific or go in a unique direction. For example, instead of the classic 'learning to work hard after a tough loss,' maybe write about the unexpected free time after quitting a sport, or what you discovered about yourself when your role on the team shifted.

There’s no ‘perfect’ structure. Some essays use a narrative style (storytelling from start to finish), while others use a series of snapshots or moments. What's most important is clarity and flow—you want your reader to feel like they’re on a small journey with you and finish knowing more about who you are.

For resources, many colleges publish sample essays online (look up 'Johns Hopkins Essays That Worked' for some examples), and your school counselor may have a list as well. Starting early is a great idea, as it leaves you with plenty of time to draft, revise, and ask for feedback.

If it helps, try free-writing about a memory that keeps coming back, a small object that means a lot to you, or a challenge that didn't go as planned, but taught you something. From there, you’ll find threads to pull on for your actual essay draft. And remember, your voice and perspective are what make your story unique.