College Essay Tips & Tricks
Below is a high-level summary of some of my top tips for writing your college essay. I include brainstorming questions for each prompt from the 2022/2023 Common Application, as well as steps to help you execute.
*Caveat - I would not say I am a College Essay Expert, so please consider using other resources as well. I have included some great sample essays at the bottom of this blog*
A key thing I like to point out to students is: Use your college essay to talk about something that is not seen on the rest of your application. For example, if your resume includes the fact that you were the captain of the quiz bowl team, I would recommend against writing your essay about your experiences on the Quiz Bowl team.
College Essay Rules
1. 650 Words Maximum
2. Must be related to one of the 7 prompts
The College Essay 7 Prompts – Per the 2022/2023 Common Application
1. BACKGROUND ESSAY
- “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.”
Example Questions for Brainstorming:
- Where is your family from?
- What is your top talent?
- What do you want to be when you become an adult?
2. CHALLENGE ESSAY
- “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?”
Example Questions for Brainstorming:
- What is the hardest obstacle you have overcome in your life?
- What is your biggest failure?
- Do you remember a time you were humbled?
3. BELIEF ESSAY
- “Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?”
Example Questions for Brainstorming:
- What is one thought/belief you have that everyone thinks you are crazy for believing?
4. GRATITUDE ESSAY
- “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?”
Example Questions for Brainstorming:
- List 3-5 people that you are most grateful for in your life
o Now list 1 thing that you remember each person did that you are thankful for
- Who has influenced your life the most and why?
- Who has changed your life in 1 specific way?
5. ACCOMPLISHMENT ESSAY
- “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”
Example Questions for Brainstorming:
- List 3-5 of the greatest accomplishments in your life
- List 3-5 turning points in your life
- When do you think you became the person you are today?
6. TOPIC ESSAY
- “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?”
Example Questions for Brainstorming?
- What do you spend most of your free time doing?
- What is something you do in your time off that not many other people do?
- What is a goal you are hyper focused on achieving?
7. CREATE-YOUR-OWN ESSAY
- “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.”
Steps to Get Started
Part 1: Prep Work
1. Understand the Format
a. Note that 650 words is ~1.3 pages single spaced and ~2.6 pages double spaced font size 12
2. Read Essays that worked (There are plenty online)
3. Understand the qualities of a successful college essay
4. Understand what college admissions officers look for
5. Build a checklist from numbers 3 and 4
Part 2: Brainstorming
6. Pick about three out of the 7 prompts that are appealing to you (except the create your own for now)
7. Use questions to help you brainstorm for each prompt
8. Order your “objects” and “topics” for each prompt by the amount of passion you have for each one
9. Compare your top choices from each prompt
10. Pick a Topic
Part 3: Execution
11. Create a narrative/story
12. Create an outline for your essay
13. Write whatever comes to your brain (Be vulnerable!)
14. Regroup
a. Re-read the essay and write/say how you feel about it
b. Compare it to your checklist
c. Rewrite/Edit
d. Repeat
Some Good Sample Essays I have seen online:
27 Outstanding College Essay Examples From Top Universities 2023 (collegeessayguy.com)
16 Strong College Essay Examples from Top Schools | CollegeVine Blog
