Are you looking for some tips for the common app essay to help you tell your story, connect with college admissions officers, and strengthen your college application overall? One common app essay prompt reads, “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.”
Share your story… sounds simple, right?
I have worked with countless students who are in the process of writing their personal essays for college applications and I have been greeted with a resounding, “I don’t really have a story. Nothing that important has happened in my life. I just go to school. That’s basically it.”
Luckily, I remind these students that we all have a story to tell. Sometimes we just have to figure out how to tell it.
The Shift
There has been an evident shift in what colleges are looking for from prospective students. With a decreased emphasis on standardized test scores and an increased emphasis on the holistic student experience, it is more important now than ever to tell your story through the personal essay requirement. Lucky for you, I have compiled my best personal essay tips and tricks to writing a strong college essay – one that makes you unique – because guess what? You already are.
Before we dive in, if you are looking for personalized college application essay help, feel free to click here to book a session with me! You can also download my free Crush the College Essay Workbook! This workbook will guide you through the writing process in a systematic way and help make your experience just a little bit easier.
What are colleges looking for in an essay?
This is the million-dollar question! I have spoken with several college admissions officers and the results are in: they want to know who you are as a person. They have your transcripts, they see your letters of recommendation, and they know what extra-curricular activities you are involved in and what your GPA is. Now, they want to hear your story. They want to read your essay and sense the sarcasm, feel the passion, and experience the nuances of your life.
As I mentioned earlier, while all of the components of the college application are important, there is a definite shift happening. Schools are looking at a prospective student as a whole entity – filled with experiences, interests, and hopes. College admissions officers want to learn about you as a person, but also, as a writer. How do you communicate? How do you tell stories? How much effort do you put into something? With a shift from prioritizing standardized test scores to prioritizing the “student experience,” the personal essay is more important now than ever. Read on to learn my easy-to-use tips for the common app essay!
Every college and university has different requirements, but typically, the common application essay is a good place to start. The common app essay prompts can be found on the common app website and range from learning from obstacles to writing about a topic of your choice.
What is the common application essay?
The common application essay is a significant piece of the common app – a non-profit organization designed to make the college application process easier and more streamlined. The essay portion is comprised of a series of common app essay prompts, which can be found on their website commonapp.org. The current topics include:
- 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.
- 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?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- 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?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- 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?
- 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.
The current word limit is 650 words. Keep reading to check out my favorite common app essay tips!
My Tips for the Common App Essay
When I work one-on-one with students, I like to start my college essay sessions by reading a personal essay example. I think the best starting point to begin this writing journey is to see other students’ work who have gone through the process. A simple search will lead you to some wonderful examples. Once you have done that and have a good idea of what your outcome might look like, follow these easy steps:
College Essay Tip #1: Find Your Defining Quality
Have you ever had someone ask you to name three words to describe yourself? While this question seems simple and straightforward, it is often quite challenging to answer. I always suggest taking time to brainstorm 3-5 qualities that feel genuine to who you are. These qualities should also be desirable to colleges. Think about what type of person a college would want in their classrooms, and on their campuses. Are you determined? Positive? Empathetic? Brainstorm a list and write down 3-5 words. You can also ask a close family member or friend. Sometimes it helps to understand how others perceive you!
College Essay Tip #2: Create Mini-Stories
Now that you have 3-5 qualities that define you, it is time to brainstorm stories and memories that showcase these qualities. I like to start with one quality at a time and list 2-3 memories that showcase that quality. For example, if your first defining quality is “adaptable,” think about an experience you have had in your life that showcases this. Mine would be the story of when I taught English in a completely new country and had to adjust to the differences in the schooling system. Through this work, you will start to recount life stories that make fantastic topics for the common app essay.
College Essay Tip #3: Write your Essay Like a Journal Entry
Now that you have your seed ideas, are there one or two that stand out? An experience that is memorable enough to write about? Your personal essay should feel like you are writing in a journal or a diary. It should showcase vulnerability and be written from the heart. Remember: your personal essay is a time to share your story, not to brag about your academic accomplishments and awards. In this phase of the writing process, there are no rules! Take some time on each mini-story and just write! Don’t worry about spelling or grammar mistakes. In fact, don’t worry about anything! Just free-write on the memory and let it flow.
College Essay Tip #4: Write, Revise, Repeat
You are on your way to sharing your story with college admissions officers. You will toggle between writing and revising until you are happy with the product! While revising is a big umbrella term, I have read countless college essays and have noticed revisions that are needed time and time again. I will leave you with some questions to think about in order to make the appropriate revisions:
- Are there moments within my essay where I can be more specific?
- Specificity is KEY! Take some time to find moments that are generic or vague and use detail and description to paint a more vivid picture.
- Are there parts that seem repetitive?
- If so, omit them!
- Does the essay flow?
- An essay does not need to be written chronologically (although there is nothing wrong with that!) In fact, some of my favorite essays “start in the action” and then tell the story from the beginning. No matter what structure you choose, make sure that the story flows.
- After I read the essay, do I feel something?
- Your essay should evoke an emotion! If it doesn’t, ask yourself why, and revise accordingly.
- Does my essay showcase my defining quality?
- Your essay should teach the reader something about you as a person. If your character does not shine through, revise!
College Essay Tip #5: Share Your Work
Now that you are happy with your personal essay, it is time to get the opinion of trusted family members or friends. Remember, your essay should make the reader feel something and paint a picture of who you are as a person. Share your essay with 2-3 close family members or friends. Be open to feedback – writing is a process! Here are some guiding questions to ask your reader:
- When you read my essay, does my personality shine through?
- What emotion do you feel after reading my essay?
- What does the essay say about me as a person?
- Was anything confusing about my essay?
It has been a joy to share my tips and tricks for writing a genuine personal statement.
I hope you realize that you do not need to have cured cancer or established world peace in order to have life experiences and a story to tell. Know that you are on your way to crushing the college essay!
For personalized college essay feedback and more tips for the common app essay, feel free to book a session with me, join me in my one-on-one, self-guided course: Crush the College Essay, or download my free Crush the College Essay workbook!
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