What does a good college essay look like?
I'm getting ready to start working on my college application essays but honestly, I'm not sure what makes one stand out. I keep hearing that they should be 'unique' and 'show your voice,' but what does that really mean? Like, are they supposed to be super personal, or more about your achievements?
If anyone has any advice or examples about what a really effective college essay looks like, I'd appreciate it. Did anyone here write about something kind of random and still get good results?
I'm applying to mostly competitive schools, and I don't want to mess up the essay part just because I missed the mark on what they're looking for.
If anyone has any advice or examples about what a really effective college essay looks like, I'd appreciate it. Did anyone here write about something kind of random and still get good results?
I'm applying to mostly competitive schools, and I don't want to mess up the essay part just because I missed the mark on what they're looking for.
4 months ago
•
18 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Great question—figuring out what makes a strong college essay can feel overwhelming, especially with so much vague advice out there! A good college essay does a few things really well:
First, it gives readers a clear, authentic glimpse into who you are beyond your grades and test scores. That doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul about your deepest struggles or only write about a huge achievement. Instead, you want your personality, values, and way of thinking to shine through.
When people say 'show your voice,' they mean the essay should sound like you—not what you think admission officers want to hear. It should read naturally, almost like you’re talking to a favorite teacher or friend (but with proper grammar). It should also be genuinely personal, meaning the topic is relevant to you and reveals something unique about how you see the world or approach challenges.
A strong essay isn’t just a resume in paragraph form. Achievements can come up, but the best essays often use small moments, specific anecdotes, or seemingly ordinary experiences to illustrate growth, curiosity, resilience, or other important qualities. For example, someone wrote about teaching their younger sister to ride a bike—using that simple story to reveal their patience, creativity, and love for family. Another student wrote about an odd obsession with collecting bottle caps, which turned into a quirky way to discuss curiosity about history and culture.
Random topics can absolutely work! What matters most is that you reflect on why the story you’re telling matters to you. For instance, if you write about always fixing things around your house, show how it taught you resourcefulness, problem-solving, or pride in helping your family. Let the admissions team see you make thoughtful connections between small moments and bigger ideas.
In short, a good college essay is:
- Personal and authentic (sounds like you)
- Focused on a specific story or theme
- Shows reflection (why the topic matters and how it shaped you)
- Written clearly, honestly, and with detail
If you want inspiration, try jotting down memorable moments, quirks, or family traditions—then pick one that represents a part of who you are. Describe what happened, how it made you feel, and why it matters. Even a story about being stuck in line at the DMV can reveal a lot about you, if you approach it thoughtfully!
Most of all, don’t try to predict what colleges want you to say. Let them get to know you, and you’ll stand out.
First, it gives readers a clear, authentic glimpse into who you are beyond your grades and test scores. That doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul about your deepest struggles or only write about a huge achievement. Instead, you want your personality, values, and way of thinking to shine through.
When people say 'show your voice,' they mean the essay should sound like you—not what you think admission officers want to hear. It should read naturally, almost like you’re talking to a favorite teacher or friend (but with proper grammar). It should also be genuinely personal, meaning the topic is relevant to you and reveals something unique about how you see the world or approach challenges.
A strong essay isn’t just a resume in paragraph form. Achievements can come up, but the best essays often use small moments, specific anecdotes, or seemingly ordinary experiences to illustrate growth, curiosity, resilience, or other important qualities. For example, someone wrote about teaching their younger sister to ride a bike—using that simple story to reveal their patience, creativity, and love for family. Another student wrote about an odd obsession with collecting bottle caps, which turned into a quirky way to discuss curiosity about history and culture.
Random topics can absolutely work! What matters most is that you reflect on why the story you’re telling matters to you. For instance, if you write about always fixing things around your house, show how it taught you resourcefulness, problem-solving, or pride in helping your family. Let the admissions team see you make thoughtful connections between small moments and bigger ideas.
In short, a good college essay is:
- Personal and authentic (sounds like you)
- Focused on a specific story or theme
- Shows reflection (why the topic matters and how it shaped you)
- Written clearly, honestly, and with detail
If you want inspiration, try jotting down memorable moments, quirks, or family traditions—then pick one that represents a part of who you are. Describe what happened, how it made you feel, and why it matters. Even a story about being stuck in line at the DMV can reveal a lot about you, if you approach it thoughtfully!
Most of all, don’t try to predict what colleges want you to say. Let them get to know you, and you’ll stand out.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)