What tense should I use in my college essays?
I'm starting my Common App essay and I'm a bit confused about which tense is best. Should I be writing mostly in past tense about what I've already experienced, or is it better to use present tense for a stronger impact? I've seen some examples where people kind of mix tenses, and I don’t want my essay to come across as awkward.
If you wrote yours already or got feedback from teachers/counselors, did you stick to one tense, or did you switch it up depending on the story you were telling? Would it look weird or be a red flag if I wrote most of it in present tense but described one moment in past tense?
I'm hoping to start editing soon, so any advice on this would be really helpful.
If you wrote yours already or got feedback from teachers/counselors, did you stick to one tense, or did you switch it up depending on the story you were telling? Would it look weird or be a red flag if I wrote most of it in present tense but described one moment in past tense?
I'm hoping to start editing soon, so any advice on this would be really helpful.
1 week ago
•
13 views
Camille L.
• 1 week ago
Advisor
Choosing the right tense for your college essay can make a big difference in how your story feels to the reader.
Most commonly, essays are written in past tense since you’re talking about experiences that have already happened. For example, "Last summer, I volunteered at the animal shelter, where I learned the importance of patience and empathy." Past tense can feel reflective and allows you to show growth by looking back on what you’ve learned.
That said, using present tense is also totally acceptable, especially if you want to make a moment feel vivid and immediate. For example, "The room hums with anticipation as I step onto the stage, hands trembling." Present tense can help place the reader in the moment with you, creating a sense of immersion.
Mixing tenses is not a red flag if it’s done intentionally and clearly. It’s actually pretty common to start a narrative in present tense during an important scene, then reflect on it afterward using past tense. For example:
"The crowd is silent. I grip my violin, heart pounding. This is it. Last year, I never would have imagined I’d be here, competing at the state finals."
The key is to be consistent within individual scenes or thoughts so the reader doesn’t get confused about when events are happening. If you jump between tenses randomly, it can feel jarring or awkward.
When editing, read your essay out loud and check if the tense changes make sense. Ask someone else to read it and see if they’re able to follow the timeline easily. If your essay smoothly transitions between tenses at logical points—such as from a present-tense scene to a reflection in past tense—it won’t look weird at all.
Many teachers and counselors suggest picking the tense that best fits your narrative style. If you’re describing a transformative moment and want the reader to feel like they’re there with you, present tense can be powerful. For reflection or background, past tense works well.
The best approach is to experiment with both and see which one helps you tell your story in the clearest, most engaging way. Ultimately, making tense changes thoughtfully (and not randomly) keeps your writing strong.
Most commonly, essays are written in past tense since you’re talking about experiences that have already happened. For example, "Last summer, I volunteered at the animal shelter, where I learned the importance of patience and empathy." Past tense can feel reflective and allows you to show growth by looking back on what you’ve learned.
That said, using present tense is also totally acceptable, especially if you want to make a moment feel vivid and immediate. For example, "The room hums with anticipation as I step onto the stage, hands trembling." Present tense can help place the reader in the moment with you, creating a sense of immersion.
Mixing tenses is not a red flag if it’s done intentionally and clearly. It’s actually pretty common to start a narrative in present tense during an important scene, then reflect on it afterward using past tense. For example:
"The crowd is silent. I grip my violin, heart pounding. This is it. Last year, I never would have imagined I’d be here, competing at the state finals."
The key is to be consistent within individual scenes or thoughts so the reader doesn’t get confused about when events are happening. If you jump between tenses randomly, it can feel jarring or awkward.
When editing, read your essay out loud and check if the tense changes make sense. Ask someone else to read it and see if they’re able to follow the timeline easily. If your essay smoothly transitions between tenses at logical points—such as from a present-tense scene to a reflection in past tense—it won’t look weird at all.
Many teachers and counselors suggest picking the tense that best fits your narrative style. If you’re describing a transformative moment and want the reader to feel like they’re there with you, present tense can be powerful. For reflection or background, past tense works well.
The best approach is to experiment with both and see which one helps you tell your story in the clearest, most engaging way. Ultimately, making tense changes thoughtfully (and not randomly) keeps your writing strong.
Camille L.
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating