What exactly is a college essay and what are colleges looking for?
I'm a high school junior starting to look into the whole college admissions process, and I keep seeing mention of the 'college essay.' Is this the same thing as the personal statement? What are colleges actually hoping to learn about you from reading your essay?
I'd really appreciate it if someone could break down what makes a college essay different from the papers we write in English class. Also, if anyone has advice on how to choose a topic or examples of what made their essays successful, that would be super helpful. I'm feeling a little lost about where to start and want to make sure I’m on the right track!
I'd really appreciate it if someone could break down what makes a college essay different from the papers we write in English class. Also, if anyone has advice on how to choose a topic or examples of what made their essays successful, that would be super helpful. I'm feeling a little lost about where to start and want to make sure I’m on the right track!
4 months ago
•
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Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Great questions! The term "college essay" usually refers to the personal statement required by many colleges as part of your application. This is often the same as the Common Application essay, but some schools may also have their own supplemental essays.
Colleges use the essay to learn who you are beyond your grades and test scores. They want to see your personality, how you think, what's important to you, and how you handle challenges. Think of it as your chance to show your voice and tell a story that would be hard to convey just with numbers or a resume.
Unlike most essays you write in English class—which are analytical, argumentative, or research-based—a college essay is much more personal and narrative in style. Instead of analyzing literature or proving a point with outside sources, you’re telling your own story. The focus is YOU: your experiences, worldview, and growth.
When choosing a topic, start with brainstorming moments or themes in your life that have shaped you. It doesn't have to be dramatic or extraordinary; sometimes small, specific moments make for the most impactful essays. For example, instead of writing about a general "love of reading," you might share about a book that made you see the world differently and how it inspired you to start a book club for younger kids at your local library.
Successful essays often zoom in on a specific moment and reflect meaningfully on it. One student wrote about the precise feeling of fixing a broken bicycle with their grandfather, connecting it to their growing independence and family bonds. It’s less about the event itself and more about what it reveals about you—your curiosities, values, or how you respond to obstacles.
To get started: Jot down experiences that have genuinely mattered to you, especially those that triggered change or made you think deeply. Ask yourself, "What do I want an admissions officer to understand about me after reading this essay?"
Above all, be authentic. Write in your own voice, and don’t feel pressure to impress with big words or dramatic stories. The goal is for the reader to finish your essay with a real sense of who you are as a person.
Colleges use the essay to learn who you are beyond your grades and test scores. They want to see your personality, how you think, what's important to you, and how you handle challenges. Think of it as your chance to show your voice and tell a story that would be hard to convey just with numbers or a resume.
Unlike most essays you write in English class—which are analytical, argumentative, or research-based—a college essay is much more personal and narrative in style. Instead of analyzing literature or proving a point with outside sources, you’re telling your own story. The focus is YOU: your experiences, worldview, and growth.
When choosing a topic, start with brainstorming moments or themes in your life that have shaped you. It doesn't have to be dramatic or extraordinary; sometimes small, specific moments make for the most impactful essays. For example, instead of writing about a general "love of reading," you might share about a book that made you see the world differently and how it inspired you to start a book club for younger kids at your local library.
Successful essays often zoom in on a specific moment and reflect meaningfully on it. One student wrote about the precise feeling of fixing a broken bicycle with their grandfather, connecting it to their growing independence and family bonds. It’s less about the event itself and more about what it reveals about you—your curiosities, values, or how you respond to obstacles.
To get started: Jot down experiences that have genuinely mattered to you, especially those that triggered change or made you think deeply. Ask yourself, "What do I want an admissions officer to understand about me after reading this essay?"
Above all, be authentic. Write in your own voice, and don’t feel pressure to impress with big words or dramatic stories. The goal is for the reader to finish your essay with a real sense of who you are as a person.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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