Is it a good idea to start my college essay with a quote?
I'm currently brainstorming ideas for my main Common App essay, and I've noticed a lot of sample essays either start or end with a quote. Part of me thinks it sounds classy and could really set the mood for my story, but another part is worried it might sound too cliché or like I'm trying too hard early on in my essay.
Have admissions officers read so many essays that start with quotes that it gets old for them? Or does it actually help if the quote is original or really important to my story? I'd love to hear some advice on this, especially from anyone who's already gone through the process or worked with an essay advisor.
Is there a "right" way to use a quote that makes it stand out, or should I just skip it completely?
Have admissions officers read so many essays that start with quotes that it gets old for them? Or does it actually help if the quote is original or really important to my story? I'd love to hear some advice on this, especially from anyone who's already gone through the process or worked with an essay advisor.
Is there a "right" way to use a quote that makes it stand out, or should I just skip it completely?
4 months ago
•
62 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Using a quote to open your college essay is definitely a common method, but it's rarely the best way to make your essay stand out. Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and many of those essays begin with famous quotes, lines from books, or lyrics. These kinds of openings can easily feel overused or generic if they're not deeply personal to you or integral to the story you want to tell.
That said, there isn’t a strict rule that forbids using a quote. What matters most is how—and why—you use it. If a specific phrase has had a profound impact on your life, or if it’s something unique (like a family saying, instructions from a mentor, or your own words from a childhood drawing), that can be a strong and authentic way to introduce your voice. The danger is choosing something anyone could use, like an inspirational quote from Gandhi or Steve Jobs. Admissions officers have seen those hundreds of times, and they can make your essay blend in rather than stand out.
For example, if your grandmother always told you, “Leave every place better than you found it,” and that truly shaped your approach to community service or leadership, then weaving that quote into your narrative (not just plopping it at the start) can give real insight into your experience and perspective. You could open with a memory or dialogue where the quote appeared, making it feel lived-in and personal rather than borrowed.
If the quote isn’t essential to your story, consider skipping it. Crafting an attention-grabbing opening with an engaging scene, a surprising statement, or a question can often be more effective in hooking the reader. Think about the moments you remember most vividly from your life—those moments make for strong introductions.
Before including any quote, ask yourself: Can this essay work just as well, or even better, without it? Would it allow your own voice and originality to shine through more clearly? Essays that resonate most with admissions officers usually do just that. If you do decide to use a quote, make sure it’s tightly tied to your unique story and feels natural in your essay’s context.
That said, there isn’t a strict rule that forbids using a quote. What matters most is how—and why—you use it. If a specific phrase has had a profound impact on your life, or if it’s something unique (like a family saying, instructions from a mentor, or your own words from a childhood drawing), that can be a strong and authentic way to introduce your voice. The danger is choosing something anyone could use, like an inspirational quote from Gandhi or Steve Jobs. Admissions officers have seen those hundreds of times, and they can make your essay blend in rather than stand out.
For example, if your grandmother always told you, “Leave every place better than you found it,” and that truly shaped your approach to community service or leadership, then weaving that quote into your narrative (not just plopping it at the start) can give real insight into your experience and perspective. You could open with a memory or dialogue where the quote appeared, making it feel lived-in and personal rather than borrowed.
If the quote isn’t essential to your story, consider skipping it. Crafting an attention-grabbing opening with an engaging scene, a surprising statement, or a question can often be more effective in hooking the reader. Think about the moments you remember most vividly from your life—those moments make for strong introductions.
Before including any quote, ask yourself: Can this essay work just as well, or even better, without it? Would it allow your own voice and originality to shine through more clearly? Essays that resonate most with admissions officers usually do just that. If you do decide to use a quote, make sure it’s tightly tied to your unique story and feels natural in your essay’s context.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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5.0 (5 reviews)