The College Essay
We Need to Submit an Essay Too?
In addition to your college application which will include your grades and test scores and your resume, you will often need to submit a college essay or personal statement. This is an opportunity to tell the college about who you are and any experiences that shaped you.
What Should I Write About?
Often times, students will write about a life changing event, such as a death in the family or another hardship. While this is moving and transformational, it is important to keep in mind that many students will be writing about this and colleges will want to hear something unique. Colleges will likely also ask you a question. Below are the 2019-2020 Common Application questions:
- 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?
- Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
- 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.
These are challenging questions, so it is never too early to start thinking about what you want to write about. You can even write a draft in 9th grade and revisit it during your senior year.
What Admissions Officers Have to Say
Below is a video from some of the top admissions officers:
More Tips & Tricks
For more information on writing a great college essay check out some of the websites below, visit websites such as Khan Academy, The College Board or The Princeton Review.
Remixed From:
“Popular College Application Essay Topics (and How to Answer Them).” The Princeton Review, https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/application-essay-topics.
“Writing a Strong College Admissions Essay.” Khan Academy, https://youtu.be/tRC0HZyNCW4.
