Writing the Personal Essay for the Common Application
The first step to writing a stellar essay for your college application is to understand your
various options. Below is a discussion of the six essay options from the Common
Application. The statements are each designed for you to write something interesting
(even profoundly interesting) in order to reveal your character – the real you. There are
any number of challenges to this task, not the least of which is to write this essay in 500
words or less. Apparently admissions representatives have grown tired of reading
manuscripts or novellas rather than concise and revealing essays. Regardless, it is what
it is – a relatively brief essay that might just make or break your application. When I
worked in Admissions at Harvard and opened a new application packet, the first thing I
reached for was the personal essay. Why is that? The essay is much more interesting
than transcripts or laundry-lists of achievements and activities. Reading the essay is my
introduction to a new candidate. All else then flows from the initial review of the essay
– SAT scores, activities, special talents, GPA, community service, ad infinitum. In order
to get off on the right foot with your admissions representative, you need to nail that
essay.
But what if my essay runs longer than 500 words? Do I have to cut it back or can I
still upload it, as-is? You actually have a choice in this matter. You can still upload your
essay on the Common Application, regardless of length. But this is where you gamble
that your admissions representative will read your entire 700 word essay or (as rumor
has it) stop at word number 500 and refuse to read another word. I doubt that actually
happens very often because admissions representatives are generally very considerate
people. There is nothing more satisfying for an admissions representative than having a
top candidate admitted to the university. You can take my word on that – or not.
Regardless, my advice on the word count is this: if you are of a legalist mindset then
limit your essay to 500 words or less. On the other hand, if you are a risk-taker (a trait
listed in the IB Learner Profile) then go with your essay as-is and decline to edit your
mini magnum-opus on the grounds that you cannot possibly reveal your true self in
anything less than 700 words.
Option #1: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have
taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Note the key word here: evaluate. You aren't just describing something; the best essays
will explore the complexity of the issue. When you examine the "impact on you," you
need to show the depth of your critical thinking abilities. Introspection, self-awareness
and self-analysis are all important here. Be careful with essays about the winning
touchdown or tie-breaking goal. These sometimes have an off-putting "look how great I
am" tone and make it difficult for self-reflection. A very common theme for this option
is the time that you went to a poverty-ridden place, helped the downtrodden people
there, and as a consequence, learned how unfair life can be. The epiphany essay (as we
call this) and the diversity essay (Option 5) account for probably 50% of all personal
essays. If we all experience epiphanies, what makes yours so special? Option 1 is a
cause-and-effect essay. Devote roughly equal text to the cause and to the effect.
www.piacademy.org
Option #2: Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international
concern and its importance to you.
Be careful to keep the "importance to you" at the heart of your essay. It's easy to get off
track with this essay topic and start ranting about global warming, gun control, or
immigration reform. The admissions folks want to discover your character, passions
and abilities in this essay. They also need to believe that your issue is authentic and
complimentary to the substance of your total application. If you have a first-hand
relation with the issue you choose to discuss, so much the better. Option 2 is a
persuasive essay because you need to persuade the reader how important the issue is to
you.
Option #3: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you,
and describe that influence.
I'm not a fan of this prompt because of the wording: "describe that influence." A good
essay on this topic does more than "describe.” Dig deep and "analyze." And handle a
"hero" essay with care. Your readers have probably seen too many essays talking about
what a great role model Mom or Dad or Uncle Louie is. And for as much as you may
admire Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi, realize that an essay on a figure of this
magnitude illustrates little creativity on your part. Also remember that the "influence"
of the person you choose doesn't need to be positive. Option 3 is an expository essay (or
an “expos” as it is often termed) in which you describe or explain the nature of the
influence. Your analytic twist turns this option into an “Expos Plus” essay.
Option #4: Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative
work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and
explain that influence.
Here as in #3, be careful of that word "describe." You should really be "analyzing" this
character or creative work. What makes it so powerful and influential? Basically, my
comments for Option 3 apply for Option 4. Stay away from Harry Potter, Abraham
Lincoln, or the Mona Lisa. It’s the “been there, done that” principle at work in this case.
If you have truly been influenced by Jocasta of Thebes, Louis de Rochmont III, or Piet
Mondrian’s Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow, then this is a fine essay for you
because you likely possess literary flair. Option 4 is also an expository essay in which
you describe or explain the nature of the influence. And, as above, your analytic twist
turns this option into an “Expos Plus” essay.
Option #5: A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life
experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal
background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring
to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated
the importance of diversity to you.
It is remarkable how many students gravitate to the topic of diversity, thinking that this
is what admissions folks want to hear. Just because you came from a different country
www.piacademy.org
and are studying in the United States does not really illustrate your diversity. There are
now nearly one-million foreign students studying in the United States. Diversity is
becoming the new status quo. Personally, I read hundreds of diversity essays at
Harvard and not more than a handful really worked. But if you must do this essay,
realize that this option defines "diversity" in broad terms. It's not specifically about race
or ethnicity (although it can be). Ideally, the admissions folks want every student they
admit to contribute to the richness and breadth of the campus community. How can
you contribute? If you are undecided, choose another option. Option 5 is a persuasive
essay derived from the experience or encounter you choose to write about.
Option #6: Topic of your choice.
Sometimes you have a story to share that doesn't quite fit into any of the options above.
However, the first five topics are broad with much flexibility, so make sure your topic
really can't be identified with one of them. Also, don't equate "topic of your choice" with
a license to write a comedy routine or poem (you can submit such things via the
"Additional Info" option). Essays written for this prompt still need to have substance
and tell your reader something about you. There is a certain risk when venturing into
unknown territory without specific guidelines or boundaries. On the other hand, as the
saying goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And again, if you have a great story to
tell that really illustrates who you are, go for it.
Final Tips on the Personal Essay:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Develop your outline for several of these options in the event one just doesn’t
work for you.
Your essay must be technically perfect: spelling, grammar, word choice and
sentence structure need to be flawless.
Two spaces after every period or question mark. This allows your essay to
“breath” and it will not appear so cramped to the reader.
If you have written the same essay five times and it still doesn’t work, tear it up
and choose a different option.
Have other people read your essay before uploading it. Consider their
recommendations for improvement.
See me for examples of excellent personal essays.
www.piacademy.org