College Essay Writing
Tips from the Pros!
Helpful Tips
1. Answer the question! Be sure to follow the prompt from the school.
2. The essay is the only subjective part of the application; tell the reader something
they can’t find anywhere else in the application. Talk about something you are
passionate about.
3. Do not write what you think the school wants to hear.
4. Tell a story. This is more interesting to the reader, which makes you more
interesting. What makes you unique?
5. Keep to the word limit. 315 for a 300 hundred word essay is fine. If you write
1000 words they will stop reading it.
6. Be descriptive. Let them experience your words. (it was hot in the forest; the
oppressive heat made even menial tasks a struggle in the deep woods)
7. Know your audience.
8. Have a few others read it. If it is boring to them, it will be boring to the person
who reads hundreds a day.
9. Proofread- Candy Striper is different than a Candy Stripper!
10. If you aren’t funny, don’t try and start now! Your personality needs to come
through the essay so the school knows who you are.
11. Relate ties to the campus. Prove you have done your homework and know things
about the school and campus. Been there, saw this, liked this. Demonstrated
interest is nearly as important as class rank. (NACAC, 2006)
12. Most essays that start with a quote are not good. If you are going to use one it had
best be amazing.
13. If you have borderline grades and test scores, the essay is the most important
thing going.
14. Don’t hide something obvious. If you have a chance to explain some bad grades,
do it.
15. PROOFREAD!!!!!!!
Deal Breakers
1. Putting the wrong school name in the essay.
2. Smart student plus a weak, short essay = LAZY!
3. Avoid the essay that you can fill in the blank with the name of a new school.
4. Avoid touchy subjects unless you can show growth due to the experience.
- divorce
- being hospitalized or medicated
- death of a family member
- are you bringing your issues with you? Does the school want them?
Getting Started
Do the Self-Concept map that the counselors can provide. Put your Name in the middle
space to start.
1. Favorite activities
2. Goals
3. Words- what would your family, friends, or teachers say?
a. use examples as to why they would say these things.
4. Others might say that I am…
5. Stretch and Learn- read, create, design, research, etc.
6. At my very core- value and beliefs.
With each topic include examples, descriptions and feelings.
These will then give you a place to start when searching for topics to write about.
Another method of finding topics for you to write on is to fill in the blank Power Point.
If you only have three slides to describe you and you have to hit the important aspects,
what are those slides?
Your Counselor’s Role
1. Give Support
2. Help determine importance of essay for your application
3. Listen and act as sounding board for ideas
4. Serve as an objective reader for How will you come across?
5. Help in proofreading and revision process
6. Feedback for revising
7. Point you toward additional help. (Writing center, English teacher, college)
Types of Essays
Leadership Essay
- give your definition of leadership
- describe situations in which you have been a leader
- show how each situation fits your definition of leadership
Personal Essay
- tell about something of personal importance
- use vivid language, examples, imagery and transitions
- choose an interesting or defining moment in your life and use it to
illustrate a positive quality
- tell them about the person they can’t know from the numbers
- explain low scores or grades, but make it quick and convincing and not an
excuse; how did you overcome the bad grades, how did you grow?
- give details; not all clubs and activities are universal
Professional Statement
- tell your aspirations and relevant personal experience: what influenced
your aspirations?
- be sure that your aspirations match the school to which you are applying
- Give details: tell why you have those aspirations and details
- be clear about your intentions