The College Essay printable pdf download

The College Essay

The essay is a very powerful part of the application process. If the colleges to which you

are applying require an essay, you should look at this as an opportunity to add an

important dimension to your application. Essays are reviewed by people who are trying

to discern the role that you will play in their campus community. Be yourself and let

your voice come through.

Essay tips

Finding the right topic

 Try not to write about something just because you think it is what the admission

counselor wants to read. There is no perfect response to any essay question.

Writing for an audience may cause you to write something that does not ring true

to the reader.

 No one can tell the exact same story as you. Assume that someone else in the

applicant pool will be writing about a similar subject; make yours specific to you.

For example, if you choose to write about doing community service, add details

that make your experience stand out.

 No topic is boring… if told the right way. With enough detail and creativity,

almost any topic can be a good one.

 Stay positive! You want admission counselors to want to meet you.

 If you are still struggling to find the right topic, ask a friend, family member, or

your College or Guidance Counselor to help brainstorm ideas with you. Take the

time to pay attention to details in your daily life – the people, the circumstances,

and the experiences that make you who you are.

Format of the essay

 Grab the reader’s attention right away. The admission counselor shouldn’t have

to work hard to figure out what you are writing about.

 When in doubt, use the first person. The sentence, “when you volunteer, you

learn more about yourself” sounds much stronger if it is written, “as a volunteer, I

learned...”

 “Show” rather than “tell” your story.

 The essay should be 1/3 about the story and 2/3 about how the event or person

impacted you.

Length of essays

 Follow the application instructions. Most colleges will tell you what you should

be aiming for in either page-length or word-count.

The College Essay