If you’re applying to college, you’ve probably heard this a thousand times: “Your admissions essay is your chance to stand out.” And it’s true; but that doesn't mean it has to be perfect.
Admissions essays are about showing who you really are, in your voice, from your perspective.
Here are 7 tips to help you write a college essay that sounds like you, gets across who you really are, and helps you stand out for all the right reasons:
1. ✅ Answer the Question
This seems obvious, but it’s easy to drift off-topic. If the prompt asks about a challenge you’ve overcome, make sure your essay actually focuses on that challenge - and, perhaps most importantly, how that experience shaped you.
💡Pro Tip: After writing your draft, re-read the prompt and ask yourself, “Did I actually answer the question?”
2. 💬 Write Like You Speak (But a Bit Cleaner)
You don’t need to sound like a professor. Write your essay a natural, conversational tone; just skip any slang or text-speak.
Example:
❌ “This experience was super crazy and totally changed me fr.”
✅ “That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to stay calm under pressure.”
3. 🪞 Show Who You Are, Not Just What You’ve Done
Admissions officers already see your grades, test scores, and activities. Use your essay to show your personality, values, and how you think.
Think less:
“Here’s everything I did in high school.”
And more:
“Here’s something that really mattered to me, and why.”
4. 🧠 Focus on a Moment, Not Your Whole Life Story
A powerful essay often zooms in on one specific moment, story, or challenge: and then unpacks what it meant to you.
📌 Instead of: “My whole childhood made me who I am…”
Try: “That afternoon in the robotics lab, when I failed three times in a row, changed how I approach problems.”
5. 🔁 Write a Bad First Draft
No one writes their best version first. Get the words out, even if it’s messy. You can always improve it later.
Most writers will tell you, editing is where the magic happens. First, get something down - then shape it.
6. 🔍 Avoid the Clichés
Some topics are very much overused in admissions essays, and unless you bring a unique spin, they can fall flat. Some examples include:
Winning the big game
A trip that "changed everything"
“I learned teamwork from sports”
Of course, you can still write about these experiences if they truly mattered to you! We'd recommend that you dig deeper, and avoid generic lessons.
7. 🧑🏫 Get Feedback (But Don’t Let Others Rewrite Your Words)
Ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted adult to read your essay. Ask them to focus on:
Does it sound like me?
Is anything confusing?
Did I actually answer the question that was asked?
The most important thing is not to let anyone rewrite your essay for you, no matter how much they think they're trying to help. Admissions officers can usually tell when a student’s voice is missing.
Note: This is why using AI tools like Chat GPT can be useful to help you get your ideas in order and give you tips on clarity and flow, but you risk losing your unique voice and insight by having AI write your admissions essay for you. Plus, there is a chance your essay will sound exactly like everyone else's, who also went down the Chat GPT route 😉
Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Be “Extraordinary”
You don’t need to have climbed Everest! Some of the best essays are about everyday experiences, as long as they’re personal, reflective, and honest.
You can read tips and strategies on admissions essays from the Harvard Summer School here.
Your story matters, so tell it your way!