Why do colleges require an essay in the application process?
I'm currently starting to look at college applications and I keep noticing that almost every school, even the ones that aren't super competitive, ask for at least one essay. I get that they want to know who you are, but don't test scores, transcripts, and recs do that too?
Sometimes it feels like an essay just adds stress, especially since it's so subjective. I'm a decent writer, but I'm worried about how much it actually matters. Is the essay really that important or is it just a formality? Would love to hear thoughts from people who've gone through this or know how admissions works.
Sometimes it feels like an essay just adds stress, especially since it's so subjective. I'm a decent writer, but I'm worried about how much it actually matters. Is the essay really that important or is it just a formality? Would love to hear thoughts from people who've gone through this or know how admissions works.
6 months ago
•
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Roger Lopez
• 6 months ago
Advisor
It's a great question—why do colleges want you to write an essay on top of everything else? You’re right that colleges already have a lot of info: your grades, test scores, and recommendations all show them your academic side and how others see you.
But what those pieces don’t capture is your unique personality, your voice, or how you think and reflect on your experiences. The essay is the one part of your application where you get to speak directly to the admissions team, in your own words. It can reveal what motivates you, what matters to you, and whether you’d be a good fit for the campus community. For example, two students could have nearly identical transcripts, but one might tell a story in their essay about how volunteering at a local youth center changed how they approach challenges, while the other writes about a completely different passion.
The essay can also sometimes make a big difference for students whose test scores or activities aren’t as strong, or who have something in their background that needs more context—maybe a rough semester or a unique life circumstance. It’s your chance to show growth, resilience, humor, or creativity—the kinds of qualities you can’t always see in numbers or checkboxes.
It’s true that essays add stress and can feel subjective, but that’s also why they matter: there’s no formula. It’s ultimately a way for colleges to see you as more than a grade or a test score. And while the essay tends to be more important at highly selective schools, even less competitive colleges use it to get a fuller picture of you and sometimes for scholarship decisions.
So yes, the essay matters—not as just a formality, but as a real way to show off your spark. A solid essay can’t make up for really low grades on its own, but a thoughtful, genuine essay can definitely help you stand out. From a student’s perspective, I remember feeling overwhelmed at first, but after writing a few drafts and talking about topics that truly mattered to me, I actually started to enjoy sharing my story. My advice: take it seriously, but see it as an opportunity, not just a hurdle.
But what those pieces don’t capture is your unique personality, your voice, or how you think and reflect on your experiences. The essay is the one part of your application where you get to speak directly to the admissions team, in your own words. It can reveal what motivates you, what matters to you, and whether you’d be a good fit for the campus community. For example, two students could have nearly identical transcripts, but one might tell a story in their essay about how volunteering at a local youth center changed how they approach challenges, while the other writes about a completely different passion.
The essay can also sometimes make a big difference for students whose test scores or activities aren’t as strong, or who have something in their background that needs more context—maybe a rough semester or a unique life circumstance. It’s your chance to show growth, resilience, humor, or creativity—the kinds of qualities you can’t always see in numbers or checkboxes.
It’s true that essays add stress and can feel subjective, but that’s also why they matter: there’s no formula. It’s ultimately a way for colleges to see you as more than a grade or a test score. And while the essay tends to be more important at highly selective schools, even less competitive colleges use it to get a fuller picture of you and sometimes for scholarship decisions.
So yes, the essay matters—not as just a formality, but as a real way to show off your spark. A solid essay can’t make up for really low grades on its own, but a thoughtful, genuine essay can definitely help you stand out. From a student’s perspective, I remember feeling overwhelmed at first, but after writing a few drafts and talking about topics that truly mattered to me, I actually started to enjoy sharing my story. My advice: take it seriously, but see it as an opportunity, not just a hurdle.
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Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years