Does my college essay need a title?
I'm currently working on my main Common App essay, and I've noticed some people add creative titles while others just start with the story. Is it necessary to have a title for my college essay, or is it more of an optional thing?
I feel like a title could add something if it’s really clever, but honestly, none of the ones I’ve come up with seem to fit well. If I leave it untitled, will it look unfinished or less professional? For reference, my essay is about my experience volunteering at a community garden and learning leadership skills. Has anyone been advised one way or the other by their counselors or admissions reps?
Just want to make sure I’m not making a simple mistake that could hurt my application.
I feel like a title could add something if it’s really clever, but honestly, none of the ones I’ve come up with seem to fit well. If I leave it untitled, will it look unfinished or less professional? For reference, my essay is about my experience volunteering at a community garden and learning leadership skills. Has anyone been advised one way or the other by their counselors or admissions reps?
Just want to make sure I’m not making a simple mistake that could hurt my application.
4 months ago
•
26 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You definitely don’t need a title for your Common App essay—it’s entirely optional. Most students submit their essays without one, and admissions officers are used to seeing essays both with and without titles.
A great title can sometimes grab attention or set a mood, but it isn’t expected or required. If a clever or meaningful title comes to you naturally and you feel it adds something significant, you can include it. But if you’re forcing a title just to have one, or if it feels generic or disconnected, it’s absolutely fine (and often better) to go without.
Admissions readers care much more about the content and personal insight of your essay than whether or not you have a title. Your essay will not look unprofessional or unfinished if it doesn’t have one. For example, an admissions officer reading your story about your growth in leadership at the community garden will be focused on your narrative and personal reflection—not whether you labeled it as 'Seeds of Change' or left it as-is.
If you decide to add a title, make it concise and closely tied to the theme or a unique detail from your story. Some students use a single impactful word, a phrase, or even a quote. But again, this is a stylistic choice, not a requirement. If in doubt, ask a trusted reader to see if your essay feels complete without a title—most will say it does!
In short, you won’t hurt your application by skipping a title. Focus your energy on making your story as clear, personal, and engaging as possible.
A great title can sometimes grab attention or set a mood, but it isn’t expected or required. If a clever or meaningful title comes to you naturally and you feel it adds something significant, you can include it. But if you’re forcing a title just to have one, or if it feels generic or disconnected, it’s absolutely fine (and often better) to go without.
Admissions readers care much more about the content and personal insight of your essay than whether or not you have a title. Your essay will not look unprofessional or unfinished if it doesn’t have one. For example, an admissions officer reading your story about your growth in leadership at the community garden will be focused on your narrative and personal reflection—not whether you labeled it as 'Seeds of Change' or left it as-is.
If you decide to add a title, make it concise and closely tied to the theme or a unique detail from your story. Some students use a single impactful word, a phrase, or even a quote. But again, this is a stylistic choice, not a requirement. If in doubt, ask a trusted reader to see if your essay feels complete without a title—most will say it does!
In short, you won’t hurt your application by skipping a title. Focus your energy on making your story as clear, personal, and engaging as possible.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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