HOW TO START WORKING ON ESSAYS?

Starting your college essay can feel daunting, but it is your best opportunity to stand out through your story. Here is how to begin with purpose and authenticity:

• Be authentic: Admissions officers want to hear your voice. Focus on who you are, not who you think they want you to be.

• Avoid overused themes: Topics like divorce, death of a relative, or winning the big game can be powerful, but only if they are truly unique to you. Otherwise, they risk sounding generic.

• Focus on the everyday: Instead of searching for a dramatic, “life-changing” moment, reflect on smaller experiences that reveal personal growth, resilience, or your values.

• Show, don’t just tell: Use concrete examples to illustrate your character: how you think, what matters to you, and how you have changed through your life experiences.

• Start with reflection: Before writing, spend time thinking about what you have learned, what challenges you have faced, and how they have shaped who you are today.

TYPES OF ESSAYS

As you begin your college applications, you are likely to encounter several types of essays. Each serves a different purpose and requires a unique approach. Here are the five most common types you should be prepared for:

Personal Statement:

• This essay is your core Common Application essay (up to 650 words) required by most colleges.

• It is your most personal and creative piece, and a critical opportunity to introduce yourself beyond grades and test scores.

Why X University Essay:

• This essay asks you to explain why you have chosen this particular university and how it aligns with your academic and personal goals.

• To stand out, go beyond general statements about rankings, reputation, or campus beauty. Instead, focus on specific connections between what the university offers and what you hope to achieve. Mention distinct programs, classes, professors, research opportunities, values, or campus initiatives that genuinely resonate with you.

• Show that you have done your research and can clearly articulate how you’ll contribute to and benefit from the school’s community - this is what demonstrates true fit.

• HERE is a document to help you brainstorm ideas for why X essays.

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Activity Essay:

• These prompts encourage you to delve deeply into a meaningful activity or project.

• Remember, these essays are not about the activity itself, but more about how these experiences shaped your personality and your values.

• HERE is a document to help you structure your thoughts and ideas for these essays.

Diversity Essay:

• This essay explores how your background, identity, or perspective adds to campus diversity. "Diversity" can refer to various aspects, including race, culture, language, socioeconomic status, and personal experiences and values.

• This type of essay prompt is less common but is increasingly included in the applications of selective colleges.

Community Essay:

• These essays require you to reflect on a community you are part of and your role within it. This could be a cultural group, a sports team, an online forum, or an academic circle.

• It is important not to reuse content from the diversity essay. Each essay should showcase a different side of you.

• HERE is a document that offers guidance on essay structure.