As you near the end of your college application process, you will need to work on one of the most important parts: the college essay. This piece of writing lets you show admissions officers who you are beyond your grades and test scores. But how can you write an essay that truly reflects your personality, experiences, interests, and writing skills?
It’s natural to feel nervous about making your essay stand out—that just means you care about doing well. We’ve created a complete guide to help you write an application essay you can be proud of, whether you’re applying to one school or many.
What is the College Essay?
Many colleges and universities require a college essay as part of the application process. It is often referred to as your personal statement and gives the admission office an insight into your strengths and uniqueness.
Of course, colleges read your transcript, your test scores, and your list of accomplishments, but you might have the same list of accomplishments and the same GPA as someone else who is trying to get into the same school. This is where your college essay allows you to shine. You get to share who you are and what you will bring to the campus.
How Long Should a College Essay Be?
College essays should be concise. Long-winded narratives risk losing the attention of readers, and you typically only have a few hundred words to make your point quickly and effectively. For example, the Common App essay is used by over a thousand colleges in the United States and explains that essays are to be between 250-650 words. This is typically a page long.
Common Topics
The most impactful essays highlight moments of growth or change, revealing who you are rather than restating your accomplishments. When brainstorming topics for your college essay, consider your personal experiences, the challenges you’ve overcome, meaningful relationships, or significant achievements. Ask yourself: “Do I want to write about it?” If the answer is no, then don’t write about it. When it comes to your college essay, it should be something about yourself that you want to tell the college about.
Common App provides a set of essay prompts to choose from. To give you an idea, here are the of the 2024/2025 prompts to consider:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Essay Examples
Looking at essay examples can provide inspiration and guidance as you begin to write your own. With a limited word count, you want to make sure you grab the reader’s attention quickly and say what you need to say. Check out College Raptor’s collection of 300-word essay examples to see how other applicants have approached different prompts. Below are some samples in a few different essay lengths that are common to apps:
200 Word Essay Sample
This sample could answer the Common App prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Growing up in a multicultural household, I inherited a diverse mix of traditions and stories from my parents. A trip to my father’s homeland, Ghana, highlighted the importance of language in preserving cultural heritage. Inspired by this, I began learning and teaching languages to bridge generations and continents.
Outside academia, I organized events celebrating cultural diversity and breaking down stereotypes. Excited about college, I plan to study literature, anthropology, and linguistics to understand how identities are shaped. I aim to use storytelling to bring people together on campus and create an inclusive community.
I see myself as a blend of different stories, ever-changing and connecting. Stories help me understand others better, appreciate diversity, and work towards unity. Through my experiences, I aim to deepen my understanding of others, nurture an appreciation for diversity, and contribute to a more cohesive society.
Why It Works: This essay works because it shows how the applicant’s multicultural background and love for storytelling have inspired her academic and personal goals. She connects specific events to her desire to study literature, anthropology, and linguistics in college. By connecting personal experiences to academic ambitions, it proves the applicant is eager to learn and make a positive impact in society.
400 Word Essay Sample
This sample could answer the Common App prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
The classroom buzzed with energy as the debate on the ethics of animal testing ignited strong discussions, but little did I know that this academic clash would unravel beliefs within me that I hadn’t thought about. “I believe we must question not just what is possible, but also what is right,” voiced one of my classmates. Even after the debate concluded, her words stayed with me long after.
This classroom debate was a pivotal moment that led me to question my long-held beliefs about animal testing in scientific research. For years, I had firmly believed that the benefits of scientific progress justified the use of animals in experiments.
But my conviction became confused after watching a thought-provoking documentary shedding light on the ethical dilemmas surrounding animal experimentation. The film juxtaposed the potential advancements in medicine with the stark reality of animal suffering, leaving me emotionally torn and intellectually curious. Was I coming to terms with what I had believed for years might be changing to match deeper ethical values?
My classmate’s argument echoed in my mind and challenged me to dive deeper into the ethical implications beyond scientific benefits. Driven by this newfound curiosity, I embarked on a journey of introspection and research. This went beyond a simple Google search. I sought out bioethics experts, read about alternative research methods, and even volunteered at animal shelters to see how animal testing affects real lives.
This led me to a transformative realization: questioning beliefs doesn’t weaken them but enriches them with empathy and critical thinking. I discovered the importance of balancing scientific progress with ethical responsibilities, advocating for stringent guidelines in research while championing cruelty-free alternatives.
Beyond the issue at hand, this experience reshaped my approach to challenges and societal responsibilities. I became an advocate for ethical treatment not only of animals but also for marginalized communities whose voices are often sidelined in discussions of ethics and progress.
Looking back, I owe my classmate a thank you. If it wasn’t for her words, I wouldn’t have learned the valuable lesson of staying open-minded and empathetic. I’m now passionate when it comes to tackling tough issues carefully and striving for fair solutions that respect compassion and progress for everyone involved.
Why It Works: This essay works because the writer shares a moment when their beliefs were challenged, leading to a shift in perspective. It highlights critical thinking and personal growth in a unique and specific way.
600 Word Essay Sample
This sample could answer the Common App prompt: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
From a young age, I caught the travel bug. It started when I was just 5, mesmerized by the vastness of the ocean on my first beach trip. The waves seemed endless, sparking a curiosity that I didn’t realize at the time would shape my love for life-long exploration. I’ve now experienced 20 different countries.
At 9, I marveled at the Northern Lights in Alaska, their dancing colors igniting my imagination. Then at 13, camping trips with my family to national parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone became cherished memories, teaching me about teamwork and perseverance as we navigated through different places.
As I grew, my passion for travel evolved beyond sightseeing. It was no longer just about discovering new places, but it became about discovering myself in those places.
I was immersing myself in different cultures, tasting new foods in bustling markets, and learning the stories behind historical landmarks. I was enjoying meals with strangers who turned into friends, and finding inspiration in the art, music, and stories of distant lands. Travel has taught me valuable life lessons too—patience in navigating busy airports, adaptability in unfamiliar environments, and empathy through conversations with people from diverse backgrounds.
Whether it was getting lost in the streets of Tokyo or marveling at the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, each journey has added new layers to my understanding of the world and myself. One of the most remarkable aspects of traveling is the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and embrace the unknown. Whether trekking through serene landscapes or engaging in meaningful conversations with locals, every adventure has reinforced my belief in the power of human connection and shared experiences that go beyond geographical boundaries. The people I met along the way, from Italy to Thailand, showed me the beauty of human connection and hospitality.
From every moment that has taken my breath away and lessons that have shaped who I’ve become, I can confidently say that the “travel bug” I caught all those years ago is not going away. Traveling isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and connection that I eagerly embrace with each new adventure.
Reflecting on my travel experiences, I realize that each trip has left a lasting impression on me, contributing to my personal growth in profound ways. Exploring the world has taught me resilience in facing challenges, such as navigating language barriers or adapting to unfamiliar customs. These experiences have not only broadened my horizons but also nurtured a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and global interconnectedness.
Travel has fueled my curiosity and desire for continuous learning. From exploring historical sites like the Colosseum in Rome or the Great Wall of China, my understanding of past civilizations and their enduring legacies has deepened. Each destination has revealed layers of itself that have enriched my perspective and inspired a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Looking ahead to my next academic phase, I carry these invaluable lessons from my travels. The curiosity sparked by my love for exploration pushes me to embrace challenges, understand diverse viewpoints, and contribute meaningfully to a global community built on shared experiences and respect.
What started as a childhood fascination with travel has become a lifelong passion. Each trip not only takes me to new places but also helps me discover more about myself while building connections with people and cultures worldwide. This journey continues to shape my goals, aspirations, and role in a world full of diversity and endless opportunities.
Why It Works: This essay works because it provides a well-rounded picture of how the applicant has grown as a person. It showcases how their love for travel has evolved, impacting their understanding of themselves and the world through diverse experiences. Even though many love to travel, the author has written about it in a way that is specific to them.
Topics to Avoid
While there are countless topics you could discuss in your essay, there are also some that are best avoided. Make sure not to be repetitive or write anything that might come across as insincere. Here are some topics to avoid in your personal statement:
- Listing accomplishments without discussing their impact or personal development.
- Presenting anything that portrays you in a negative light without reflecting on lessons learned or personal growth.
- Reiterating your grades, test scores, and academic achievements—they already saw this in the application.
- Relying on clichés, which can lack originality and effort.
Tips on How to Write a Good College Essay
Say what you need to say and avoid unnecessary filler in your essay. A strong college essay is transparent, honest, and meaningful. It should portray you in a positive light, so be cautious about discussing negative experiences or personal weaknesses. Focus on writing something you care about rather than what you believe will impress admissions officers.
Colleges are looking for an original viewpoint, an authentic voice, and excellent writing skills in your essay. To ensure you touch on these things, consider the following questions when writing your personal essay:
- Does this topic hold personal meaning for me?
- Is my essay focused on me and not others?
- Was I concise?
- Did I provide a direct answer to the prompt?
- Is my beginning and end strong?
- Does this reflect my true personality?
- Does the essay reveal something unique about myself?
- Has my essay been proofread and edited for correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling?
Your college essay is your chance to show who you are as a person and what you would bring to the campus community. Choosing a meaningful topic and writing an authentic essay allows you to make a lasting impression on admissions officers. Good luck!
Curious about your chances of getting accepted to a particular school? Find out with College Raptor’s FREE College Match tool! We estimate your chances based on your academic information (grades and test scores) and the college’s overall acceptance rate.
