You’ve sat for four-hour standardized tests, played trumpet in the band, and diligently turned in every lab report. You’ve proven your ability to juggle all the demands of high school. Why now do you have to write a personal essay? (Or three? Or four?)
Believe it or not, college applications ask for essays not because admissions officers want to torture you. They don’t ask for them as a way of weeding you out, or because they love reading pieces between 200 and 600 words. Application essays serve the highly important function of taking a bunch of numbers and course titles and letters and assigning them to a living, breathing person. Let’s face it: no one piece of writing can take the place of getting to know you like your best friend, teacher, or parents know you. Still, in the absence of having the time and ability to hang out with you and learn organically what kind of person you are, the essay can showcase a piece of who you are – what you enjoy, what you think about, your values, and what you notice about your place in the world.
Why do admissions officers care about getting to know me? I am applying to a school, so couldn’t they just review grades and scores, admit the top percentage and call it a day?
It’s true that some schools – especially large state systems – only review academic performance when making their decisions. But most admissions offices take the point of view that while academic performance is critical, it’s only one attribute that’s important for a robust campus. Finding passionate students with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences makes the value of the college experience all the greater. They are building a community, and the essay helps them get a glimpse into what you might bring to that community.
How do I make the most of the essay?
Essay prompts vary, but in general admissions officers are looking for the same things regardless of the topic:
Good Writing
This is a no-brainer. College-level courses require fluent and persuasive writing. A thoughtful, well-composed essay free from grammatical errors and spelling mistakes shows your readiness to take on the challenge.
Critical Thinking
A serviceable essay describes the “what” – the details of a meaningful experience or academic interest. It might answer the prompt, but a standout essay needs to do more than just follow directions. An exceptional essay explores the “why.” It captures a deeper and more elevated level of thinking. How do you apply the story that you are telling to your life, your future, and/or the way you see the world?
Personality
The best essays have a voice – and your college essays should be written in your voice, not someone else’s. Don’t make the tone too formal or academic because you think it will sell you as a better student. If you get bored reading it back, so will your audience. The writing should let us into your personality – be it quirky, funny, contemplative, or questioning. Be smart about the tone – this isn’t a social media posting or a text exchange with your best friend. Be careful with humor – best to have someone read over your draft and tell you honestly whether or not you pull it off. Still, don’t be afraid to bring your unique perspectives and turn of phrase to your writing.
What will I have to write about?
In general, essay or short answer topics fall into one of three major categories: 1) Tell us about you. 2) Tell us why you want us. 3) Show us how you think critically.
Tell Us About You
The first category includes questions about your family background, your community, your academic interests, your values, your experiences, and your extracurricular interests. These essays are designed to give admissions officers a glimpse into how you might contribute to campus.
Some examples from recent applications:
– What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (University of California)
– What matters to you, and why?(Stanford University)
Tell Us Why You Want Us
The second type of question asks you to describe your reasons for applying. In other words, “explain your reasons for why this is the school for you.” You could make the case that these essays are some of the most important because you need to demonstrate that you have been thoughtful in deciding to apply (and are not just throwing out a bunch of applications randomly). Notice how often the word “unique” comes up in these prompts. This should clue you in that these schools do not want a generic answer that could apply to any number of schools. The more specifically you can describe why any given place is a fit, the better.
Some examples from recent applications:
– What unique aspect of Lehigh most interests you?(Lehigh University)
– What are the unique qualities of Northwestern – and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying – that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified? (Northwestern University)
Show Us How You Think Critically
These are the oddball questions – the ones that require you to think outside of the box. You often, though not exclusively, see these questions as part of applications to smaller liberal arts colleges. Though they might not ask directly about your academic interests or values, they still capture the way you think about the world and your analytical skills. These questions require as much (if not more) thinking than writing. It might take some time for you to find your topic. On the upside, these questions can be the most fun because you can show off your creativity.
Conclusion
Remember, your college essay is a chance to show a part of yourself that grades and test scores can’t capture. Take your time, think deeply, and write authentically. Good luck!
