How to Write an Essay for College Application: 3 Crucial Things to Remember


Writing a college essay is one of the scariest things a young adult has to do. It’s stressful and you don’t know what to write about or where to start. Here are 3 very important things to keep in mind as you’re writing.

  1. Be Yourself
  2. Don’t write what you think others want to hear, but instead write about what you want to talk about. Writing something you’re not passionate about isn’t just boring for you to write, but boring to read. A boring paper isn’t going to make you stand out amongst the rest and get you an acceptance letter. Don’t forget that colleges are flooded with these types of application essays every year.

  3. Be Honest
  4. Write about something personal and something that you care about. Write a story that you think deserves to be heard. Believe in yourself and write honestly and write with heart. When you write your paper, go back to it a few days later and reread it. You will see themes pop up in your essay and those themes talk about who you think you are. And remember, this essay is not about the things that you’ve done, but it is an essay about who you are.

    Here are ideas for topics to write about:

    • - Something not fair that happened to you and how you managed to overcome this problem.
    • - How a failure, your own or a loved ones, made you feel.
    • - Something that means a lot to you.
    • - A meaningful relationship in your life.
    • - A way that you’ve impacted someone else’s life.
    • - Who is your favorite author, poet, artist, or musician and why?
    • - What is an accomplishment, yours or that of someone close to you that you are proud of?
    • - What would you do instead of going to college?
    • - Why have you chosen to dedicate these next four years to college?
    • - Choose a quote that defines who you are and explain why.
    • - Tell a story that talks about who you are, either directly or indirectly.
  5. Write, Rewrite, And Get Feedback
  6. Start your paper as early as you can. And rewrite it again and again until it is everything that you are trying to say. Once you feel your paper has focus, substance, honesty, and heart- get a second opinion. Show your application essay to a friend, your English teacher, or your high school college counselor. Get as much feedback as you can and ask them what they see when they read your essay. What does the essay say about you? If it is what you are trying to say or you are happy with what they see, then you are done and you are ready to send it out.