Wondering how to write an essay about yourself? Many college-bound students are faced with this intimidating task. A college application essay is an exciting opportunity to show schools who you really are—apart from your grades and transcripts. And, since over 2,000 schools no longer require test scores, your essay is one of the best ways to introduce yourself to the college admissions department and stand out from the crowd.
While a college essay introduces you to those reading your piece, it should definitely take it a step further. Here are strategies that can help your college app essay leave a lasting impression.
10 Tips to Putting Your Best Foot Forward in Your College App Essay
1. Outline Your Ideas
Before you begin writing, start with an outline to help you throughout the entire process. The beauty of an outline is that you have the ability to change it as you see fit—making it as simple or as complex as you’d like. An outline is also great because you’ll have something to refer back to if you get stuck while writing.
It can also help make a list of all your achievements and attributes. This can help you formulate a solid personal statement that can help guide your essay.
2. Don’t Waste Words – You Only Have So Many of Them
Be Concise. Many college essay requirements have word limits on them. The word count may be 500 words, or 1,000, or as little as 200. You don’t want to waste time stating information that doesn’t need to be known or doesn’t make a lasting impression. Your essay will only have so much time to stand out among the crowd.
Your essay should say something different about you, instead of a “Hi, my name is Hilary Cairns. I want to attend your school to be a writer. I graduated from Valley Central High School… etc…” Remember to spend your limited word count wisely.
3. Include Relevant Details
As long as you are concise with your facts, you should have plenty of space to add important details that give life to your story. After all, details make up our lives and therefore should make up your essay. You don’t want a completed essay that reads, “This happened, so I did this. And then I did that. And finally, this was the outcome.”
Instead, add meaningful details that engage your reader. For example, rather than simply stating, “I volunteered at a shelter,” you might say, “I spent Saturday mornings at the local animal shelter, where I learned to connect with shy dogs like Bella, who would curl up beside me once she felt safe.” These relevant details not only add depth to your essay but also help it stand out.
4. Don’t Be Repetitive
When going the route of introducing yourself to the college admissions department, you probably will end up being a bit redundant. It’s a good chance your college application already includes a lot of the things that would fall under the category of “introducing yourself.”
You don’t want to repeat exactly what’s in your application and you definitely don’t want your essay to sound more like a resume or a cover letter. The admissions department already knows this information about you. Your piece should include something new about yourself. Therefore, don’t simply repeat the extracurricular activities you are involved in or the community service you did. Instead, tell a story about a personal experience that maybe isn’t already evident on your application.
5. Choose the Right Language
Your word choice may seem like a small detail, but it can really enhance your essay. Here’s a few ways you can do this:
Use Sensory Words: Words that appeal to the senses make your writing come alive, pulling readers in, and making them feel like they’re part of your story.
- Example: Instead of saying, “The city was lively,” try, “The city buzzed with sounds of laughter, honking cars, and street performers filling the air with music.”
Be Descriptive: Give enough details so your readers can picture what’s happening.
- Example: Instead of writing, “I was happy,” you could say, “I felt a wave of joy wash over me as I opened the acceptance letter.”
Choose Unique Words: Pick words that aren’t used every day to give your reader a breath of fresh air.
- Example: Instead of saying “smart,” try using synonyms like “astute” or “insightful.”
Avoid Contractions: If you want a more formal tone, skip the contractions to sound more polished
- Example: Instead of “I can’t believe it,” say, “I cannot believe it.”
- Spend Extra Time on Your Introductory Paragraph – It’s Important
The opening paragraph of your essay might be the most important part. This is a paragraph that should peak your reader’s curiosity, while also presenting a clear and focused main idea for the rest of the essay. Instead of placing emphasis on a thesis statement like in a research paper, more focus should be spent on the first sentence of the essay.
A few examples of an interesting hook for a strong introduction include an anecdote, a vivid description, a paradox, a confession, or anything that makes the reader ask “Why?” From the very first line, you want to present your readers with a mental image, a strong feeling, or the desire to know more.
7. Avoid Cliché’s and Use Creativity to Stand out.
Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to do something unusual. Displaying your creative side can show the college that you can approach a prompt uniquely. It will also showcase your personality in a way they haven’t seen before. What makes you, you? And how can you express that in your essay? Adding creativity to your writing ensures you’re not sounding like an instruction manual and makes it much more engaging for the reader.
Consider what makes your experiences stand out and how you can present them in a fresh way. For one student, the prompt simply asked them to tell their story. Being a huge Beatles fan, the student proceeded to tell their life story using Beatles song titles. They even ended with a clever spin on John Lennon’s quote, “I hope I passed the audition.” This unique approach took a simple prompt and reimagined it into something unforgettable.
8. Follow the Format Guidelines
Always read, and then reread, the college essay guidelines. If you don’t pay close attention, you could miss important details like whether to single-space your document, the word count limit, or how to submit your essay (like needing to send it as a PDF). Following these guidelines isn’t just about being neat; it shows the admissions committee that you follow instructions well and take their requirements seriously.
9. Don’t Forget to Edit!
The first version of anything you write might not be perfect, but that’s where editing comes in. The best writers spend time editing their words (and editing their college essays), and sometimes have others help them. Here’s a few general editing tips to help polish your draft:
- Take a Break: After you finish your first draft, step away for a little while. When you come back later, you’ll most likely see your writing with fresh eyes.
- Know Your Audience: Think about who will be reading your essay. Does your writing connect with them, and is your message clear?
- Read Aloud: Reading your essay out loud can help you see things you might have missed when reading silently. Listen to how it flows and if it keeps the reader’s interest.
- Use Tools for Help: Check for spelling and grammar with resources such as Grammarly or even AI by providing a prompt such as, “proofread my essay for spelling only.”
10. Get Feedback
Writing essays about yourself can be difficult and letting others read what you wrote can really help! They can help you make sure you have the right mix of creativity, sincerity, and emotion. Try to pick people who don’t know the background of what you wrote about. This allows them to have a true emotional reaction to your essay. Also, choose people who will provide honest, helpful feedback on how to improve the areas where your essay may be lacking. Their fresh perspectives can help make your writing even better.
Bonus Tip: Read More!
The best writers are avid readers. While you may have a favorite go-to genre, consider picking up something out of your normal realm of reading. The writing style you see in a news magazine is going to be different from that in a young adult science fiction book. Challenge yourself through a variety of reading materials to understand the style used and the message the author is trying to convey.
Not to mention, there are a variety of resources to help you grow your comfort level with writing. Check out the following College Raptor articles:
- Tips on How to Write an Academic Paper Easier
- The Dos and Don’ts of Writing an Essay
- Tips to Save You Time While Writing
A college essay is fabulous a way to introduce yourself to the college, but it shouldn’t be taken so literally. Rewriting your application in the form of an essay is a waste of valuable time, for both you and the college admissions officer. Instead, focus on a unique way to introduce yourself. How can you stand out among the crowd? It may be a story about a moment that moved you, a life-changing event, or something else that is precious or memorable to you. Remember to stay on topic with what the college is looking for in the essay as well. If you’re unsure about your approach, seek outside help, like from your high school guidance counselor.
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