how to make your application essay stand out

Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay

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Writing an essay for college admission gives you a chance to use your authentic voice and show your personality. It's an excellent opportunity to personalize your application beyond your academic credentials, and a well-written essay can have a positive influence come decision time.

Want to know how to draft an essay for your college application ? Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing.

Tips for Essay Writing

A typical college application essay, also known as a personal statement, is 400-600 words. Although that may seem short, writing about yourself can be challenging. It's not something you want to rush or put off at the last moment. Think of it as a critical piece of the application process. Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor.

1. Start Early.

Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school. That way, you have ample time to think about the prompt and craft the best personal statement possible.

You don't have to work on your essay every day, but you'll want to give yourself time to revise and edit. You may discover that you want to change your topic or think of a better way to frame it. Either way, the sooner you start, the better.

2. Understand the Prompt and Instructions.

Before you begin the writing process, take time to understand what the college wants from you. The worst thing you can do is skim through the instructions and submit a piece that doesn't even fit the bare minimum requirements or address the essay topic. Look at the prompt, consider the required word count, and note any unique details each school wants.

3. Create a Strong Opener.

Students seeking help for their application essays often have trouble getting things started. It's a challenging writing process. Finding the right words to start can be the hardest part.

Spending more time working on your opener is always a good idea. The opening sentence sets the stage for the rest of your piece. The introductory paragraph is what piques the interest of the reader, and it can immediately set your essay apart from the others.

4. Stay on Topic.

One of the most important things to remember is to keep to the essay topic. If you're applying to 10 or more colleges, it's easy to veer off course with so many application essays.

A common mistake many students make is trying to fit previously written essays into the mold of another college's requirements. This seems like a time-saving way to avoid writing new pieces entirely, but it often backfires. The result is usually a final piece that's generic, unfocused, or confusing. Always write a new essay for every application, no matter how long it takes.

5. Think About Your Response.

Don't try to guess what the admissions officials want to read. Your essay will be easier to write─and more exciting to read─if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Here’s an example: If all your friends are writing application essays about covid-19, it may be a good idea to avoid that topic, unless during the pandemic you had a vivid, life-changing experience you're burning to share. Whatever topic you choose, avoid canned responses. Be creative.

6. Focus on You.

Essay prompts typically give you plenty of latitude, but panel members expect you to focus on a subject that is personal (although not overly intimate) and particular to you. Admissions counselors say the best essays help them learn something about the candidate that they would never know from reading the rest of the application.

7. Stay True to Your Voice.

Use your usual vocabulary. Avoid fancy language you wouldn't use in real life. Imagine yourself reading this essay aloud to a classroom full of people who have never met you. Keep a confident tone. Be wary of words and phrases that undercut that tone.

8. Be Specific and Factual.

Capitalize on real-life experiences. Your essay may give you the time and space to explain why a particular achievement meant so much to you. But resist the urge to exaggerate and embellish. Admissions counselors read thousands of essays each year. They can easily spot a fake.

9. Edit and Proofread.

When you finish the final draft, run it through the spell checker on your computer. Then don’t read your essay for a few days. You'll be more apt to spot typos and awkward grammar when you reread it. After that, ask a teacher, parent, or college student (preferably an English or communications major) to give it a quick read. While you're at it, double-check your word count.

Writing essays for college admission can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A well-crafted essay could be the deciding factor─in your favor. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll have no problem creating memorable pieces for every application.

What is the format of a college application essay?

Generally, essays for college admission follow a simple format that includes an opening paragraph, a lengthier body section, and a closing paragraph. You don't need to include a title, which will only take up extra space. Keep in mind that the exact format can vary from one college application to the next. Read the instructions and prompt for more guidance.

Most online applications will include a text box for your essay. If you're attaching it as a document, however, be sure to use a standard, 12-point font and use 1.5-spaced or double-spaced lines, unless the application specifies different font and spacing.

How do you start an essay?

The goal here is to use an attention grabber. Think of it as a way to reel the reader in and interest an admissions officer in what you have to say. There's no trick on how to start a college application essay. The best way you can approach this task is to flex your creative muscles and think outside the box.

You can start with openers such as relevant quotes, exciting anecdotes, or questions. Either way, the first sentence should be unique and intrigue the reader.

What should an essay include?

Every application essay you write should include details about yourself and past experiences. It's another opportunity to make yourself look like a fantastic applicant. Leverage your experiences. Tell a riveting story that fulfills the prompt.

What shouldn’t be included in an essay?

When writing a college application essay, it's usually best to avoid overly personal details and controversial topics. Although these topics might make for an intriguing essay, they can be tricky to express well. If you’re unsure if a topic is appropriate for your essay, check with your school counselor. An essay for college admission shouldn't include a list of achievements or academic accolades either. Your essay isn’t meant to be a rehashing of information the admissions panel can find elsewhere in your application.

How can you make your essay personal and interesting?

The best way to make your essay interesting is to write about something genuinely important to you. That could be an experience that changed your life or a valuable lesson that had an enormous impact on you. Whatever the case, speak from the heart, and be honest.

Is it OK to discuss mental health in an essay?

Mental health struggles can create challenges you must overcome during your education and could be an opportunity for you to show how you’ve handled challenges and overcome obstacles. If you’re considering writing your essay for college admission on this topic, consider talking to your school counselor or with an English teacher on how to frame the essay.

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How to Write a Stand-Out College Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Pascale Bradley in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Introduction to college admission essays, make your college admission essays stand out, choose a compelling topic.

College admission essays comprise approximately 20% to 25% of the evaluation criteria for college applications. This is especially true when applying to top-tier institutions with large pools of applicants who are equally competitive with respect to their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement. Most schools require applicants to submit a Common Application essay and their own school-specific supplemental short responses and essays. However, they also require applicants to respond to different types and quantities of topics, and you need to confirm which essays are required for each school. 

Essays are the most significant personal component of the application process. They serve an integral role in humanizing you and helping colleges understand who you are, how you came to be, what you value, and how you respond to different challenges and situations. This information is critical because it helps admissions officers determine what you can contribute to their respective school, which is important because you need to demonstrate why a college should want you to attend and not just why you want to go to that college. 

Essays will range from 100 to 700 words in length. Short responses may range between one or two words to several sentences. You may also have the opportunity to submit a multi-page document or a portfolio of your work for a particular program or for admission in general.

When it comes to writing college admission essays, most applicants feel pressured to write about something that others will perceive as exceptionally interesting and impressive, such as a national award or a niche hobby. Applicants may feel unsure and insecure about not being talented, accomplished, or interesting enough, and the events and experiences in their daily life may feel too mundane or clichéd to write about. These pressures and insecurities stem from applicants internalizing the incessant messaging that they need to be exceptional and unique in order to distinguish themselves from other applicants and be attractive to schools. 

Most applicants have not accomplished anything of regional, national, or international significance. Even for the few who have such accomplishments, the accolades in and of themselves are not sufficient to craft a compelling essay. 

What actually makes a compelling essay is not what you choose to write about but how you write about whichever topic you choose. The essay will stand out because of your voice, your perspective, and your way of experiencing the world. You will not be penalized for what you have not experienced or achieved, as admissions officers understand that not everyone has access to the same set of opportunities and that geographic location, socioeconomic status, family connections, and many other factors constrain and determine what you are able to do in high school. 

Once you divorce yourself from the misconception that your essay needs to be about something dramatic, life-altering, or incredibly exciting, you can start to home in on the content of your life that is worth writing about. Moments from and aspects of your everyday life—a book that was particularly meaningful to you, a relationship that you cherish, a memory of time spent with loved ones, a time when you were humiliated—are the seeds of great essays because they are the vehicles by which you can reveal something significant about who you are and how you think.

Your essay can be about anything you want, so long as it is appropriate for a general audience, satisfies the prompt to which you are responding, and shows the admissions officers something important about you that they could not find anywhere else in your application. Topics and content to avoid include any statements that could be construed as racist, sexist, classist, homophobic, xenophobic, or otherwise prejudiced against any particular group of people. You should also avoid the use of unsupported facts, obscene language, illicit activities, violence, or graphic subjects. 

If you are considering writing about something that could be considered controversial, you need to recognize and prepare for the reality that your reader may completely disagree with you and may finish reading your essay doubting your character. Although there is a slight chance that you could write a really strong essay about one of these topics, you run a great risk that is unnecessary and will likely not prove worthwhile. 

For more information about how to write strong college admission essays, review our comprehensive articles on “ How to Write the Common Application Essays ” and “ 19 Stellar Common App Essay Examples ” to get inspired.

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Katherine Martinelli

Updated Oct 23, 2017

7 Ways to Make Your College Application Essay Stand Out

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There’s so much that goes into a college application, combining years of hard work that lead up to the final moment when you hit “send.”

Grades and test scores are important components, but numbers only tell a portion of your story. What colleges really want to know — and what sets you apart from the crowd of other applicants — is who you are and what makes you tick. Your best opportunity to go beyond the letters and numbers on your high school transcript is through the application essay , or personal statement, which is precisely that: your invitation t o let your personality shine. For admissions officers comparing students with similar scores and extracurricular activities, a compelling essay that brings an applicant to life can lift that student to the top of the pile. 

To make your college essay stand out, consider these expert tips.

1. Choose a Thoughtful Title

College essays are not typically required to have a title, but crafting one can be a powerful tool to make your essay stand out right away — which is why Benjamin Caldarelli, co-founder of Princeton College Consulting , recommends adding one. He says a strong, simple title is perfectly effective, though you may be able to make a positive impact with a well-chosen cultural reference. “Using a variation on the title of a well-known book or movie is an example,” he says. A winning title he saw recently was “Mindful Middle Class Indian.” It was a play on the popular book-turned-movie Crazy Rich Asians .

Even with a more straightforward title, Caldarelli says it’s important to pique the interest of the reader. Another effective title he noticed was “The Cheesecake.” It’s simple, relatable and leaves you to wonder what that dessert has to do with college. The essay turned out to be a creative and unusual approach the applicant used to demonstrate their perseverance by making a fancy, labor-intensive cake, and Caldarelli says the title was the perfect setup.

You need to start with the meaty part right off the bat. Phyllis Zimbler Miller

2. Jump Right In

Just as people often judge whether to read a book based on its first sentence or two, the college essay should waste no time in grabbing a reader’s attention. “Frequently, first paragraphs are weak, as if the writer is winding up to write the meaty part of the essay. You need to start with the meaty part right off the bat,” says Phyllis Zimbler Miller , author of How to Succeed in High School and Prep for College . Her recommendation? Write your first draft and then chop off the first paragraph to see how it reads. Chances are that’s a good place to start strong.

Lindsey Conger, an independent college counselor at MoonPrep.com , agrees that the first paragraph is crucial and suggests starting with an anecdote, particularly one in which you can draw the reader into the action. “I recommend that you throw your reader right into the middle of the story,” she says.  

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Humor

Moments of levity can be a welcome relief for admissions associates who are knee-deep in earnest essays. To pull them in, Brian Galvin, chief academic officer for Varsity Tutors , recommends using humor or a semi-sensational statement. His example of an intriguing line? “When I was three, I was abducted by aliens. My life has never been the same.” That’s an essay you want to continue reading, right? And a couple of lines is the perfect amount of humor — after all, your essay isn’t meant to be, and shouldn’t be, a standup routine. Instead, it is designed to present the fullest, truest and most compelling version of yourself. If you choose a humorous opening line, Galvin suggests transitioning into a particular passion or interest. This alien opener might “transition to a student’s deep interest in astrophysics or aerospace engineering,” he says.

4. Use Specific Examples

It can be tempting to use the essay to showcase all of your positive attributes, but remember, it shouldn’t feel like a résumé. For a successful college essay, keep your focus narrow and then use strong examples to illustrate your points. “Don’t just tell us that you are empathetic; tell us about a time you volunteered at a nursing home and spent hours talking with a particular resident. Tell us how you felt and the impact the conversation had on you and the resident. Those types of stories will stick out much more to the admission officer reading your essay,” advises Conger.

5. Channel Your Most Unusual Passions

Chances are, if you’ve chosen to write about something you’re genuinely passionate about, your excitement will shine through and will distinguish your essay from those that sound robotic. And the more unusual that interest is, the better — whether it’s skydiving or cosplay, think about the things you love that set you apart. 

To make a particular interest really stand out in the context of a college essay, discuss how it aligns with your educational objectives. You might explain what skills you’ve mastered from a hobby that will be meaningful in your future career, or perhaps point to a specific experience that highlights your individual growth and personal development.

6. Be Vulnerable and Authentic

If you want your college essay to leave an impression, don’t be afraid to open up and show genuine emotion. “Being very vulnerable and sharing a painful or intense experience honestly can make for compelling essay material,” says Galvin. Just be mindful of the fine line between sharing difficult experiences and painting yourself as a victim. “It’s OK to talk about the challenges you’ve faced in life, but if you do that, also talk about how you grew as a result and worked to overcome the challenge,” says Louise Grant, associate director of admissions for Husson University . 

You don’t need to have experienced personal tragedy to have material for a memorable college essay. Acknowledging a mistake you made and reflecting on it honestly and with maturity can display emotional depth and vulnerability too.

7. Draw Connections

It’s pretty easy to just talk about yourself, but to bring your essay to the next level, try to connect it to the world at large. “What often elevates an essay is that the writer is able to place their own story and insights in a larger historical, cultural, philosophical or intellectual context. Ask the question: What is an important and authentic context for my story? Whether it is an idea that frames the entire essay or just finds its way in through telling details, it often separates good from great,” says Caldarelli. In a well-known example , one student framed her essay within the context of shopping at Costco while deftly bringing in physics concepts and literary references and demonstrating her own personal growth.

These suggestions are your guide to writing a college essay that stands out — in a good way. Equally important is that your essay not stand out for the wrong reasons — because of poor grammar, careless typos, divisive or offensive statements or straying far from the topic or word count. To avoid these pitfalls, be sure to proofread your essay several times and then have it reviewed by an extra set of eyes (or two) before hitting send. 

Following the above do’s — and don’ts — will help you compose an essay that communicates the best of you, guaranteeing that it will be compelling and utterly original. 

Interviews for this article were conducted in 2019.

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12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

College admission committees sift through thousands of college essays each year. Here’s how to make yours stand out.

Pamela Reynolds

When it comes to deciding who they will admit into their programs, colleges consider many criteria, including high school grades, extracurricular activities, and ACT and SAT scores. But in recent years, more colleges are no longer considering test scores.

Instead, many (including Harvard through 2026) are opting for “test-blind” admission policies that give more weight to other elements in a college application. This policy change is seen as fairer to students who don’t have the means or access to testing, or who suffer from test anxiety.

So, what does this mean for you?

Simply that your college essay, traditionally a requirement of any college application, is more important than ever.

A college essay is your unique opportunity to introduce yourself to admissions committees who must comb through thousands of applications each year. It is your chance to stand out as someone worthy of a seat in that classroom.

A well-written and thoughtful essay—reflecting who you are and what you believe—can go a long way to separating your application from the slew of forgettable ones that admissions officers read. Indeed, officers may rely on them even more now that many colleges are not considering test scores.

Below we’ll discuss a few strategies you can use to help your essay stand out from the pack. We’ll touch on how to start your essay, what you should write for your college essay, and elements that make for a great college essay.

Be Authentic

More than any other consideration, you should choose a topic or point of view that is consistent with who you truly are.

Readers can sense when writers are inauthentic.

Inauthenticity could mean the use of overly flowery language that no one would ever use in conversation, or it could mean choosing an inconsequential topic that reveals very little about who you are.

Use your own voice, sense of humor, and a natural way of speaking.

Whatever subject you choose, make sure it’s something that’s genuinely important to you and not a subject you’ve chosen just to impress. You can write about a specific experience, hobby, or personality quirk that illustrates your strengths, but also feel free to write about your weaknesses.

Honesty about traits, situations, or a childhood background that you are working to improve may resonate with the reader more strongly than a glib victory speech.

Grab the Reader From the Start

You’ll be competing with so many other applicants for an admission officer’s attention.

Therefore, start your essay with an opening sentence or paragraph that immediately seizes the imagination. This might be a bold statement, a thoughtful quote, a question you pose, or a descriptive scene.

Starting your essay in a powerful way with a clear thesis statement can often help you along in the writing process. If your task is to tell a good story, a bold beginning can be a natural prelude to getting there, serving as a roadmap, engaging the reader from the start, and presenting the purpose of your writing.

Focus on Deeper Themes

Some essay writers think they will impress committees by loading an essay with facts, figures, and descriptions of activities, like wins in sports or descriptions of volunteer work. But that’s not the point.

College admissions officers are interested in learning more about who you are as a person and what makes you tick.

They want to know what has brought you to this stage in life. They want to read about realizations you may have come to through adversity as well as your successes, not just about how many games you won while on the soccer team or how many people you served at a soup kitchen.

Let the reader know how winning the soccer game helped you develop as a person, friend, family member, or leader. Make a connection with your soup kitchen volunteerism and how it may have inspired your educational journey and future aspirations. What did you discover about yourself?

Show Don’t Tell

As you expand on whatever theme you’ve decided to explore in your essay, remember to show, don’t tell.

The most engaging writing “shows” by setting scenes and providing anecdotes, rather than just providing a list of accomplishments and activities.

Reciting a list of activities is also boring. An admissions officer will want to know about the arc of your emotional journey too.

Try Doing Something Different

If you want your essay to stand out, think about approaching your subject from an entirely new perspective. While many students might choose to write about their wins, for instance, what if you wrote an essay about what you learned from all your losses?

If you are an especially talented writer, you might play with the element of surprise by crafting an essay that leaves the response to a question to the very last sentence.

You may want to stay away from well-worn themes entirely, like a sports-related obstacle or success, volunteer stories, immigration stories, moving, a summary of personal achievements or overcoming obstacles.

However, such themes are popular for a reason. They represent the totality of most people’s lives coming out of high school. Therefore, it may be less important to stay away from these topics than to take a fresh approach.

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Write With the Reader in Mind

Writing for the reader means building a clear and logical argument in which one thought flows naturally from another.

Use transitions between paragraphs.

Think about any information you may have left out that the reader may need to know. Are there ideas you have included that do not help illustrate your theme?

Be sure you can answer questions such as: Does what you have written make sense? Is the essay organized? Does the opening grab the reader? Is there a strong ending? Have you given enough background information? Is it wordy?

Write Several Drafts

Set your essay aside for a few days and come back to it after you’ve had some time to forget what you’ve written. Often, you’ll discover you have a whole new perspective that enhances your ability to make revisions.

Start writing months before your essay is due to give yourself enough time to write multiple drafts. A good time to start could be as early as the summer before your senior year when homework and extracurricular activities take up less time.

Read It Aloud

Writer’s tip : Reading your essay aloud can instantly uncover passages that sound clumsy, long-winded, or false.

Don’t Repeat

If you’ve mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don’t repeat it again in your essay.

Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.

Also, be sure you’ve answered whatever question or prompt may have been posed to you at the outset.

Ask Others to Read Your Essay

Be sure the people you ask to read your essay represent different demographic groups—a teacher, a parent, even a younger sister or brother.

Ask each reader what they took from the essay and listen closely to what they have to say. If anyone expresses confusion, revise until the confusion is cleared up.

Pay Attention to Form

Although there are often no strict word limits for college essays, most essays are shorter rather than longer. Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words.

“While we won’t as a rule stop reading after 650 words, we cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention for as long as you’d hoped it would,” the Common App website states.

In reviewing other technical aspects of your essay, be sure that the font is readable, that the margins are properly spaced, that any dialogue is set off properly, and that there is enough spacing at the top. Your essay should look clean and inviting to readers.

End Your Essay With a “Kicker”

In journalism, a kicker is the last punchy line, paragraph, or section that brings everything together.

It provides a lasting impression that leaves the reader satisfied and impressed by the points you have artfully woven throughout your piece.

So, here’s our kicker: Be concise and coherent, engage in honest self-reflection, and include vivid details and anecdotes that deftly illustrate your point.

While writing a fantastic essay may not guarantee you get selected, it can tip the balance in your favor if admissions officers are considering a candidate with a similar GPA and background.

Write, revise, revise again, and good luck!

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How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out: Essential Tips

Your Personal Statement for the Common Application—the classic “college essay” that you’ve been hearing about since freshmen year—is the biggest piece of individual storytelling in the college application process, and it has only continued to grow in importance for college admissions officers. Now, with the number of applications to top US colleges surging higher , writing an essay that distinguishes you from the pack has become tougher than ever.

The challenge of the college essay might seem straightforward: 650 words about what makes you… well, you. If you’ve looked over the Common App Personal Statement prompts , you’ve noticed that they aren’t too intimidating. Maybe you even started writing a response to one for your English teacher, and hey, it went fine!

That’s all well and good, but anyone who takes the assignment lightly is dooming their application for failure. Because the truth is, despite the neat prompts and hundreds of models and outlines, there is no one formula for the perfect personal statement . 

Snatching an outline from the internet or reading over dozens of college essay examples from former admits are habits that will hurt your process, rather than help it. When you’re overloaded with information, it’s easy to end up in a state of analysis paralysis. This can make you hypercritical of your own stories and experiences, even though they are authentic to who you are. It can also lead to procrastination and imposter syndrome.

So before you go back over that draft you scribbled out in class months ago, or gobble up every daring college essay you can find on the web, take a moment to reimagine the challenge of the piece. Then, use our essential tips below to make your college essay stand out from the crowd—not through clever wordplay, name dropping, or mimicking examples found online, but by tapping into your own motivations, staying rooted in your own story, and launching into writing confidently.

Start with you, not the essay prompt

Writing about yourself is hard. Writing about yourself in the context of a high-stakes application can be excruciating.

Many of us would prefer to write about anything other than ourselves. That’s why so many college essays become stories about inspiring figures: grandparents, teachers, Elon Musk. But none of these people are the person who the essay should be about, so these essays fall flat.

When you start your college essay with the belief that you must write for a prompt, you’ve already constrained your opportunities. You will make artificial rules out of your interpretation of the prompt, then second-guess your most original ideas. You’ll write for your audience rather than for yourself. And this is one of the worst traps you can fall into.

That’s why, when brainstorming your college essay, you should resist the urge to look at prompts, read examples, or borrow templates.

Instead, focus only on yourself. 

What do you most love to do in your free time? What behaviors do you detest? What small mistake have you never forgotten? What about yourself do you have trouble understanding or accepting?

You must get comfortable making everything about you in order to get to the heart of your personal story. These are examples of questions that can push your reflection in the right direction, but there are countless others. And the most effective way to approach such questions is through a conversation.

Rather than generate and respond to intense personal questions yourself, arrange to have a conversation about them with someone close to you. This person should be a trusted confidante you’ve known for years, but shouldn’t be a parent, sibling, or anyone bringing too much emotional baggage into the conversation. They could be a family friend, an aunt or uncle, a coach, teacher, mentor, or college counselor—but it’s best if they are not a peer.

Have an open conversation focused only on your own life stories, values, and motivations—and record it . Keep a record of every word you say in your discussion. Encourage the other person to dig deeper into topics they find intriguing or unclear, no matter how uncomfortable this might be for you. If you’re surprised by something they find fascinating, make a note of it.  

Reflecting on and listening over this conversation is the surest way to discover the memories and parts of your identity that matter most.

Establish a regular writing routine

As you move from generating ideas into drafting, you’re likely to encounter some roadblocks. Actually expressing the story that’s clear in your mind may turn out to be surprisingly frustrating. You may be unsatisfied with each attempt you make. You may hear extraordinary stories about exceptional people and doubt whether your idea is any good in the first place.

In order to make the writing process less daunting, focus on getting into the habit of simply putting words down on paper, instead of expecting yourself to produce brilliant content. The most important thing is that you do this every day for at least five days a week. Here are some keys for making this routine work:

• Daily writing sessions can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as an hour. Give yourself a slight buffer to first think through what you want to write about, then a chunk of time to write, and a few more minutes at the end to consider what your next step will be.
• Following from this, aim to finish each writing session when you still have more to say . Knowing what you want to say next doesn’t mean you need to put it down on paper immediately. In fact, it’s helpful to intentionally leave off your final paragraph. Write as the Japanese eat , until your page is 80% full of what you set out to say. That last paragraph will then become a starting point the next day, and you’ll have 24 hours to let your mind work on what comes next.
• Schedule your writing sessions at the same time every day . For many, jamming in an evening time slot may seem more attractive than waking up early. But consider honestly when you are sharpest: many of us, even self-professed night owls, have our best focus and presence of mind in the morning.
• Write the way you speak . If you’d like, you can even keep dictating your thoughts, rather than writing them. More on this later.
• Write about anything : your pet, what you see out your window, even why you hate writing. You do not always need to continue where you left off the day before. What you produce on a given day doesn’t even need to correspond to the general topic or story you are developing. Remind yourself that the most important thing is the writing itself, and force yourself to do it anyway, even when it feels like pulling teeth. 
• Do not worry about the quality of what you produce . No good comes from pondering every word or reengineering every phrase. The more you write, and the more often you write, the more the words should spill out naturally. Yes, you will need to do some serious editing at some point. But no one needs to know if your first drafts were flimsy.

Over time, a cycle of honest conversation and regular writing practice will produce results. Trust in this process and stick to your plan: you will likely end up with even more juicy content than you can possibly fit in your college essay—and this is great! You can often re-work stories and stances into your shorter, supplemental college essays, and almost always share them in interviews or networking conversations. The process itself will help you become a more compelling person overall.

Trust your instincts & keep it simple

Admissions officers are all too used to reading college essays written in a style or voice that seems forced. These essays are littered with complex clauses and semicolons. The words that fill them are unwieldy and questionably used. Metaphors, analogies, and grand claims abound.

These mistakes make sense: if personal creative writing doesn’t come naturally to you (as it doesn’t to most people), it’s understandable that you’d want to elevate your language. You are, after all, applying to selective colleges that expect whip-smart high school students.

But writing can be overdone. And overdoing your college essay is a pitfall you must avoid. 

As a student, you’re bombarded daily with writing: you may read snippets of a novel, a magazine, a history textbook, a philosophical discourse, and a chemistry paper—all on the same day. It’s all too easy to lose track of what you actually sound like amidst all those voices in all those texts.

And in the worst case scenario, this causes you to write like you’re thumbing through a thesaurus. Case in point: the compulsion to replace each usage of the word “use” with “utilize.”

To avoid this, whenever you are drafting, rely on your instincts. As the ideas pop into your mind, write them in the exact phrasing in which they appear . If you lose your train of thought, go back over the recording you made of your conversation, and listen again to what you said when you weren’t thinking about an essay . Perhaps you used slang, or a pet phrase; perhaps there was an unexpected moment of sarcasm, and you can tap back into that humorous state.

Most importantly, keep it simple . Remember that sentences do not need to be long in order to be engaging, and that a story is best presented plainly enough that it allows a reader to do some interpreting. If you attempt to explain every detail of your story, you will spend the entire essay explaining rather than actually telling the story itself. 

In order to preserve your natural voice and keep your writing simple and meaningful, get in the following habits:

• When you start your writing session, spend 10 minutes thinking about what you’ll write, and do not read anything else . 
• If you get stuck on writing, begin to speak your ideas freely and record them exactly as you speak them. Even if you spend an entire session speaking rather than writing, it is worthwhile.
• Don’t go back over the sentence you just wrote . It isn’t perfect, and you know that. Forge ahead regardless. Return to tweak your phrasing only at the end of your writing session, and later, when you have reached the editing phase of your process.
• Remember that this is not an academic essay . Don’t fall into the patterns that have served you well in English or History courses. Topic sentences are not summaries of entire paragraphs. Grammar does not need to be impeccable: the priority is the natural flow of the writing—how it sounds when read aloud—not the preciseness of each clause.

Remember that you are writing to a normal person

As you go through the intense process of assembling your application package, it can begin to feel that you are performing, to some extent, for an admissions committee shrouded in mystery. These admissions officers hold your fate in their hands, and given the acceptance rates at top colleges, it’s hard not to assume that they are cold-blooded critics looking for any excuse to kill your application in the water. Most students who make this assumption automatically go on the defensive, doing whatever they can to cover up potential red flags and appear flawless. 

And this approach does them no good.

No 17-year-old is perfect, and the admissions officer reading your application will be eminently aware of this. They are not looking for perfection, but for authenticity. They want to bring students to their university who could genuinely benefit from and contribute to the learning experience on campus. If you come across as someone who believes they’ve already mastered everything life can throw at them, will you sincerely challenge yourself and grow while in college? It’s doubtful.

Let the other parts of your application speak for themselves. Your goal in the college essay is not to impress an admissions committee, but to connect with them . This means you need to come across as a human. To do this, think of creating a casual encounter with the person reading your essay. Imagine that you are at a party, and you’re sharing a story with someone you just met. What does this mean?

• Write as though you are speaking to a peer . Admissions officers are not predisposed to judge you; in fact, they are seeking to understand the person inside all the statistics and materials. They are smart and compassionate people looking for things to like about you. You don’t need to spell out basic facts or waste space drilling the same point home. Trust that they will be able to interpret your deeper themes because they sincerely want to learn more about you.
• Don’t exaggerate or undersell . Both are important. You can immediately tell when someone you’ve met is bragging or being disingenuous. At the same time, you’re at your most engaging when you acknowledge your own talents and don’t shy away from sharing them. Try to present both your positive qualities and the skills you’re still working on as plainly as you can, without apologizing or aggrandizing. 
• Avoid going into too much detail about your lowest low points . This may seem counterintuitive, given everything else we’ve written about being authentic with your story and style. And yes, there is huge value in being vulnerable—to an extent. But if you meet someone at a party, your scarring experiences with clinical depression or childhood trauma are probably not your best icebreaker. These may be important elements of your life, which you refer to when sharing what you care about. But in the end, your application reader is not a close friend or a trusted confidante. Don’t overwhelm them with darkness you’ve begun breaking through: focus on the progress you’ve made and how your past drives you forward.

Don’t have too many readers

It’s more likely than not that you have several people interested in reading your college essay and giving their opinion on it. When you do feel that you’ve fleshed out a story and you see its shape coming together, it is useful to seek some outside perspective. After all, admissions committees are made up of multiple personalities, all of which will contribute to the decision of whether to accept or deny your application. 

But be careful not to have more than two or three other people give you feedback on your personal statement. If you show it to your counselor, your teacher, your soccer coach, your piano instructor, your mom, your aunt, and your cousin… you are going to be overwhelmed by competing opinions, each with their own biases.

If you’re not working closely with a consultant or counselor, the first person to read your college essay should be the same person who had that original brainstorming conversation with you. They will come into the reading with a sense of what makes you special, but without too much bias related to their personal feelings on your character. Have them read the essay without you present, first. Then meet, and ask them:

• Did they learn anything new or unexpected about you in this essay?
• Did they find themselves thinking back on the essay after they were done reading it? If so, what part(s) were they thinking about?
• Would they want to have a coffee with you after reading this essay? Or collaborate on a project with you? 

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but asking them will help you to gauge whether your story communicates what you want it to about who you are.

Following these guidelines will enable you to set your sights in the right direction for your college essay and launch your writing process with confidence. Check back in soon for part two in this series: we’ll be sharing an article on the next steps for editing your Common App Personal Statement into its most compelling final state.

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How to Write College Application Essays

Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:

College Application Essay Fundamentals 

How to prepare to write your essay , how to approach different essay types, how to structure your essay , how to revise your essay, how to find essay writing help , resources for teaching students how to write a college essay, additional resources (further reading).

Of all the materials in a college application, the essay provides the greatest opportunity for you to set yourself apart. Unlike the transcript or resume, the essay is creative and expressive; in it, you can show the admissions counselors who you are and what you can do (that is, how well you can write!). A good application essay should have a memorable main idea, a cohesive structure, and a strong introduction and conclusion. Although essay topics can vary by college, the most common prompts deal with personal experiences and aspirations for the future. This guide   contains a diverse set of resources to help you orient yourself to the college application essay and, ultimately, to write the most competitive essay possible. 

The college application essay is a requirement for admission to almost all institutions of higher learning. Though in some ways it resembles essays you've written in class or on standardized tests, in other ways it's a unique writing exercises with its own particular requirements. Use the resources below to help you understand how the essay should be structured and what kind of content to include. 

"How Long Should College Application Essays Be?" (Learn.org)

This webpage guides you through some basic tips on writing the college essay—including essay length, sticking to the prompt, and maintaining an original tone. 

"College Application Essay" (College Board)

This webpage from the College Board discusses the different types of application essays, what length you should aim for, and most importantly, why colleges value this aspect of the application so much. 

"College Essays, College Applications" (College Board) 

The College Board's website is a great resource for any student looking to apply to college. This webpage contains several links to helpful resources, including sample essays and genuine student interviews. 

"Timeline for College Applications" (College Essay Guy)

This colorful, one-page guide from a college application specialist offers an illustrated timeline for high school students looking to apply for college. 

Before putting your ideas down on paper, it's important to conceptualize your essay, to craft strategically your tone and style, and,  crucially, to choose a topic that suits you and the school to which you're applying. The resources in this section include writing tips, lists of common mistakes you should avoid, and guides dedicated to the college application essay.

How to Plan Your Essay

"3 Common College Essay Mistakes to Avoid" (CNBC)  

This article from CNBC broadly outlines the most common mistakes students make when writing their college application essays. Although these mistakes may seem obvious, even the most experienced writers can fall into these common traps.

"7 Effective Application Tips" (Peterson's)

This article from Peterson's (a company providing academic materials for test prep, application help, and more) lists seven pieces of advice designed to make your writing pop. 

"The Secret to Show, Don't Tell" ( The Write Practice Blog)  

You've heard it before: show, don't tell. This is a great writing tip, but how do you pull it off? Here, the writing blog  The Write Practice  outlines how you can make your writing more descriptive and effective. 

"Passive Voice" (University of North Carolina)  

Avoiding passive construction is a subtle yet effective way to upgrade any piece of writing. Check out this webpage from a university writing center for some tips on recognizing and avoiding passive voice. 

"Using Appropriate Words in an Academic Essay" (National University of Singapore)

There are many ways to upgrade your vocabulary. Often, words can be replaced with more impressive substitutes, phrases can be shortened or lengthened depending on context, and transitions can be used for a smoother flow. The link above expands on these strategies and offers several others. 

How to Brainstorm Topic Ideas

"Bad College Essays: 10 Mistakes to Avoid" (PrepScholar)

This article from a well-known tutoring service and test prep program describes what to avoid when writing your essay. Essays that are too graphic, too personal, or too overconfident are all problematic, and this article explains why. 

"5 Tricks for Choosing Your College Essay Topic" (CollegeXpress)

Lost on how to choose a topic? This webpage from CollegeXpress outlines five sources of inspiration you can mine for ideas as you're getting started.

"The College Admission Essay: Finding a Topic" (The Choice Blog)

This article from New York Times  blog The Choice  breaks down three essential questions to ask yourself when choosing a topic for your college essay. 

"COLLEGE ESSAY GUIDE: Choosing a Prompt for the Common Application" (YouTube)

In this five-minute video, a Yale student discusses how to choose a college essay prompt and how to approach the essay writing process. His channel is filled with original videos on the college application process. 

"Where to Begin? 3 Personal Essay Brainstorming Exercises" ( CollegeVine Blog)

Approaching the Common App essay prompts can be difficult. This blog post explains several tactics you can use to narrow down your options, such as writing down a list of your greatest convictions.

"Using First Person in an Academic Essay: When Is It Okay?" (WritingCommons.org)

Most high school students are told to avoid using the first person point of view; this can be confusing when writing college essays, which typically ask what  you  think. This article breaks down when (and why) it's acceptable to write in the first person. 

Although all college essays serve the same purpose - articulating why you should get into a college - they come in different kinds. While topics on the Common Application are relatively consistent from year to year, personal statements and so-called "supplemental essays" vary by institution. Each of these essays requires a slightly different approach. The resources in this section will prepare you to answer the various types of essay prompts you're likely to encounter. 

Common Application Essays

CommonApp.org

The Common Application's official website is the best place to start getting acquainted with the service to which the majority of US colleges and universities now subscribe - a service which allows you to streamline your application process and minimize duplication of materials.

"What's App-enning" Blog (Common App)  

The Common App runs a blog with a wealth of information on common application-related news, including periodic updates on common application essay prompts for each application cycle. You can practice brainstorming with old prompts, or even start preparing your application by looking at this year's prompts.

125 College Essay Examples (PrepScholar Blog)

Here, PrepScholar provides a variety of Common App essays that got their respective applicants into their desired schools. Along with the body text of the essays, the website provides analysis on  what  makes the essays so great. 

A Few Essays That Worked (And a Few That Didn't) (NYTimes Blog)

This article analyzes unsuccessful essays, illuminating the ways in which they fell short. Although you should exercise caution and adjust your approach to your specific school, it's always good to pick up on general things to avoid. 

Personal Statements

What Is a Personal Statement? (PrepScholar Blog)

Although personal statements and Common App essays are similar, not all personal statement essays are administered through the Common App. This article from PrepScholar's blog will provide you with everything you need to know about writing a personal statement.

Examples of Successful Statements (Purdue OWL)

The Purdue OWL online writing lab collate links on this page to several successful personal statement. It can be useful to read successful statements and to consider how and why the statements made an impact on their readers. 

Past Threads on Advice for Writing Your College Essay (Reddit Post)

Although not about the personal statement  per se , this Reddit post has links to several past threads that may be of use to any prospective college applicant. 

What 10 Things Should Your Personal Statement Include? (Which University UK)  

This site outlines ten things to consider when writing a personal statement, including outlining what you will bring to the course, not what the course will bring to you. 

Supplemental Essays

How to Write Great Supplemental College Essays (IvyWise Newsletter)

Supplemental essays can often be challenging, asking a range of questions from the mundane to the oddly specific. This article from college application site IvyWise will break down example prompts to make them more approachable. 

Write Your Supplemental Essays (College Essay Guy)

Looking for a comprehensive guide to supplemental essays? Look no further than this page provided by the "College Essay Guy," who breaks down how to write supplemental essays that ask different kinds of questions. 

An Awesome Guide to the UChicago Supplement (Dyad)

Dyad, a college mentoring service, walks you through how to approach UChicago's supplemental essay question. Although the article is specific to UChicago, it contains general tips that are helpful to any college applicant. 

Reading My Yale Supplement Essay (YouTube)

Josh Beasley is back in this short YouTube video, where he reads the supplemental essay that got him into Yale and extrapolates advice for current and prospective applicants. 

A college application essay (like any academic essay) should have an introduction, a conclusion, and body paragraphs. Additionally, it should have overall coherence (that is, it should make a point) and cohesion (that is, it should flow well from paragraph to paragraph). We've collected the most relevant resources here to help you structure your college essay correctly and efficiently. 

How to Make Your Essay Stand Out 

College Essays That Stand Out From the Crowd (NYTimes)

This NYTimes article includes links to several recent essays that caught the eyes of the admissions readers by taking risks. You can even listen to an essay being read aloud by a current Princeton student.

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays (Gen / Kelly Tanabe)  

If you have some time on your hands, this hefty PDF document contains 50 essays from successful Ivy League applicants. After reading these essays, consider what they have in common and how they might be a model for your own essay.

Make Your Application Essay Stand Out (CampusExplorer.com)

In this article from CampusExplorer, you'll find general tips on how to make your essay more appealing to the admissions readers. The writers include general writing tips as well as more targeted advice for the tone and audience of the application essay.

How to Write a College Application Essay that Stands Out (Boston University)

This short video from BU's own admissions department touches briefly on what impresses their admissions readers, including risk-taking, memorable stories, and honesty. 

Essay Structure (Monash University)

This chart from Monash University visually demonstrates how your content should be organized in order to keep your argument or story on track. 

How to Write an Introduction

How to Start a Personal Statement: The Killer Opening (Which University UK)  

Any good introduction both forecasts what your essay will be about and catches the reader's attention. This page will give you some helpful advice on starting your essay with a bang. 

How to Start a College Essay Perfectly (PrepScholar Blog)

This article from PrepScholar shows you how to "hook" your reader at the start of your application essay with colorful language, a vivid story, and an "insightful pivot" to your main point.

Let Me Introduce Myself (Stanford University)

This article from Stanford U's alumni page details the first-line openings of the essays for some current Stanford undergrads. 

Five Ways to NOT Start Your College Application Essays (PowerScore)

In this article, you'll learn five techniques to avoid, as they typically land a college application essay in the "reject" pile; these include beginning with dictionary definitions or famous quotations. 

How to Write a Conclusion 

Ending the Essay: Conclusions (Harvard University)

Harvard's writing center suggests bringing closure to your essay (that is, wrapping up your argument) while still expanding outward to broader applications or insights in your final paragraph.

Concluding Paragraph (Easybib)  

Although you may have used Easybib to make a bibliography before, did you know they have many resources on how to write a good essay? Check out this page for succinct advice on what your conclusion should entail. 

5 Ways to Powerfully End Your College Essay (College Greenlight)

This blog post instructs you to end with action (that is, a story or anecdote) rather than summary, giving you five ways to do this effectively, including addressing the college directly.

How to Write the Best Conclusion for a College Application Essay and Supplement (Koppelman Group)

The Koppelman Group, a college application consulting firm, warns you, above all, not to end "in conclusion" or "to conclude." They also provide targeted advice for the Common App and Supplement essays, respectively. 

No essay is perfect in its first-draft form; college application essays in particular are limited by word counts that can be difficult to meet. Once you've communicated your ideas, you'll want to edit your essay in order to make sure it's the best it can be. You'll also need to cut or add words to make sure it's within the specifications set by the institution. The resources in this section include tips and tricks for revising your college application essay. 

3 Ways to Increase Word Count (WikiHow)

Complete with illustrations, this WikiHow page outlines several ways you might go about substantively expanding your essay. These tips include clarifying points, reworking your introduction and conclusion, adding new viewpoints and examples, and connecting loose threads. 

Admissions 101: What an Essay Word Limit Really Means (Veritas Prep) 

In this blog post, Veritas Prep's college preparation tutors assure you that being a little over or under the limit is acceptable, recommending ways you can think about the word limit's purpose.

College Essay Word Limit - Going Under? (College Confidential) 

In this College Confidential discussion forum, students discuss the possible ramifications of writing under the word limit for a college essay. 

How to Increase Your Essay Word Count (WordCounter)

This article from WordCounter outlines different ways you might go about meeting word count, including addressing different viewpoints, adding examples, and clarifying statements. 

Hitting the Target Word Count in Your College Admissions Essay (Dummies.com)

This article details how to hit the target word count. Scroll down to the middle of the article for advice on where you should cut words from to meet word count. 

Some Tricks to Reduce Word Count (EastAsiaStudent.net)

This article recommends simplifying your style, deleting adverbs, deleting prepositions, and revisiting connectives and adjectives to reduce word count. 

Advice on Whittling Your Admissions Essay (NYTimes) 

In this New York Times article, Andrew Gelb discusses how to go about cutting down your admissions essay in order to meet the requisite word limit.

How to Shorten an Essay Without Ruining the Content (Quora) 

This Quora post from a concerned student yielded useful community responses on how to effectively shorten an essay without losing the original message. 

Feel like you've hit a wall revising your essay on your own? You're not alone, and there are plentiful resources on the web through which you can connect with fellow college applicants and/or professional tutors. The links in this section will take you to free services for improving your college application essay, as well as two of the top paid writing tutor services.

College Confidential Forums 

College Confidential is a free, public forum in which you can post your essay and receive feedback from current college students, current college applicants, and even teachers or other experienced users. 

/r/CollegeEssays (Reddit)

This subreddit is a great place to look for crowdsourced help on your essay, ask questions about college essays, or even find a private tutor. 

Essayforum.com

Essayforum.com provides another platform for students to share their application essays. Although this link takes you to the site's forum for applicants to undergraduate degree programs, you can submit and review essays in other categories as well.  Varsity Tutors

Varisty Tutors offers tutoring services from freelance tutors based on location. Prices and services vary, but their site is easy to use and there are many tutors available to choose from.

Princeton Review

Princeton Review, one of the largest providers of college preparation tutoring (ranging from standardized test preparation to essay help) offers online essay tutoring services with a free trial period. 

Using in-class time to prepare your students to write college application essays is, of course, rewarding, but can also be challenging. If you're a teacher looking to incorporate the college essay into your curriculum but you're not sure where to start, take a look at the useful resources below.

TeachersPayTeachers

College Essay Writing

This product includes material for more than one full lesson plan, including powerpoint presentations, assessments, and homework on the topic of college essays. 

Narrative Writing Ideas and Prompts

Appealing to students 9th grade and up, this product includes lesson plans, handouts, and homework for developing narrative writing for the college essay process. 

College Essay: Comprehensive 7-Session Workshop Series

This PDF includes entire courses, manuals, and handouts designed to teach students the ins and outs of the college essay process, either in an individual or group setting. 

College Essay Revision Forms & Rubrics

These PDFs provide students with visual organizers and rubrics to assess their own writing and learn how to become better college essay writers. 

Free Resources

Teaching the College Essay (Edutopia) 

Teaching your students about writing the college essay can be incredibly intimidating -- as a teacher, how should you approach the process? This article from Edutopia outlines how to go about introducing the college essay to your students. 

Essay Lesson Plan Ideas for College Applications (EssayHell)

If you're a teacher looking for a concrete lesson plan on college essays, this guide recommends using the first day to discuss the importance of the essay, the second day for brainstorming, and so on. Click on the link above to examine their full guide. 

Help Your Students Write a Killer College Essay (EdWeek Blog)

This blog post goes over various techniques designed to help your students choose an appropriate topic and write their essay with passion. 

The Biggest College Essay Mistakes & How to Fix Them (Talks With Teachers)

Looking to help your students avoid the minefield of mistakes in the college essay field? Check out this post from Talks With Teachers, a journal that shares "inspiring ideas for English teachers." 

Curious to read more about college application essays, or to see fun and unusual examples of what students have written? The articles, blog posts, and books in this section are a good place to start surveying the field.

One Over-the-Top Admissions Essay (Huffington Post)

This piece from the Huffington Post talks about a humorous response to a Stanford supplemental essay topic, the so-called "letter to my future roommate."

College & University - Statistics and Facts (Statista.com) 

In the process of writing your college essay, you may find yourself wondering who exactly goes to college, how many colleges there are in the United States, etc. This site gives the up-to-date statistics for various US demographics, both in aggregate and by university, as well as other information.

Who Made That College Application? (NYTimes)

This piece from the NYTimes outlines the history of the college essay from its origins in the 1800s, to the first "modern" college application, produced by Columbia University in 1919, to the present.  

How They Got Into Harvard (Staff of the Harvard Crimson)

This highly-rated collection of successful Harvard application essays, available on Amazon, is both an entertaining read and an instructive resource for anyone looking for exemplary essays to use as models. 

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Seven Ways to Make your College Essay Stand Out

Because the college essay is not the same kind of essay that you write for your high school English teacher, it does not have to have the typical essay introduction which would usually provide a thesis statement. Most students are unaware of this fact. Just as you want to prepare the best answers to your college interview , here are seven tips for writing an engaging essay that will stand out from the rest!

1. Your first paragraph should grab the reader

The college essay has to grab the attention of an admission’s reader.  It is imperative, then, that the introduction to the college essay capture the reader’s attention and make the reader want to read more.

There are different ways to grab the reader.

• Try starting with a question.
• Begin with a bold statement.
• Use an interesting quote.
• Put the reader in medias res, that is, in the middle of things. Place the reader in the middle of something happening or in the middle of a conversation.
• Challenge the reader by speaking directly to him/her.
• Tell the reader what you do NOT want to do in your writing.
• Sometimes even a single word that stands as a paragraph can make the reader wonder and read on.

2. Be a real person, not an anonymous author

Do not be just another of thousands of applicants that do not make an impression. If you are reading a newspaper article, the writer fades behind the facts and you know nothing about the writer except that s/he can collect, organize, and present the facts that you need to now. You want the admissions reader to say, “Ah, this is a real person writing to me.

That means you should write with voice, that is, you need to write with your own personality. Honesty, humor, talking the way you talk, showing the way you think, all help to create voice.

3. Don’t be boring

Trying to be proper or trying to impress or trying to be intellectual can be a drag. What you should be are doing is getting noticed as unique. It’s like you are on a date with the admissions reader and you want to be asked out again.

If you are on a date, you would naturally want to be smart, funny, nice, caring, unique, not boring. You also want to have an opinion, not step back like an unthinking geek. Write your essay as though you would be a great second date.

4. Make your essay correct and beautiful

Dates should look good, too. You can make your essay beautiful by giving thought to a few things. Use a font that is readable. Consider whether or not a bold typeface could make your essay easier to read. Don’t crowd your essay near the top of the page, but balance it on the page and attend to soothing margins. Provide the essay prompt at the opening. Separate paragraphs in a consistent way, either by indenting each paragraph or by using block style, keeping all the words to the left margin but spacing extra between paragraphs.

If there are a lot of mistakes in your essay, it can not be pretty. Make sure you have spelled everything correctly. Make sure your basic punctuation is correct.

Did you separate dialogue correctly from the rest of your text? Did you use capitalization correctly? Check out our article on the most common mistakes in college essays for more tips to ensure your essay reads well.

5. Approach the essay from a different angle

If you look at things a little differently from others you stand out. In answering an essay prompt, you need not always do it the most normal way.

• What if you were to take the negative approach to answer the prompt? What are your hopes? Maybe you can tell what your hopes are by writing what you do not hope for.
• Perhaps you can create a little mystery by not answering the prompt immediately. What do you want to study? Maybe you could reveal that in the last sentence of your prompt after telling about all the little things that have some relevance to your area of study. For example, you might describe much natural flora, observe fauna, then list feelings you have about nature to lead up to writing that you want to study biology.
• You might even bury your answer to a prompt in a story or in a moral tale or even in a description.

6. Be clear and logical

As much as you wish to shine, the shine will be lost if your sentences and thoughts do not string together logically. You must make sense to the reader.

Reread your essay as though you have no idea what the writer is talking about. Does it make sense? Are there transitions between different sections of the essay? Is the essay organized? Have you started at the beginning? Have you provided an ending? Have you given enough background information?

It is a good idea to make sure different audiences understand what you have tried to write. Test your essay with a friend, a teacher, a parent, even a younger reader. Ask them not to judge but simply read to see if they know what you are saying. “Tell me,” say to them, “exactly what you got from this.” If there is confusion, fix it.

7. Leave your reader with a lasting impression

People remember the last things first or, at least, best. As Alan Alda said in a commencement address he delivered to his daughter’s graduating college class, the most important things are said on the way out the door. His last words in that speech were, “I love you.”

In the same way, you should end your college essay with something that not only summarizes the most important aspects of you but that is also memorable. Memorable endings are poignant, making the reader feel an emotion. Or, they capture a several-line conclusion in one pithy, well-worded phrase or sentence. Or, maybe they end with a simple, clean truth written from the heart.

Final Tips! If you are having trouble getting started on your essay, you might want to check out Academichelp.net where they provide sample essays and free writing guides or check out The Essay Guy for more great essay writing tips. Lastly, if English is not your first language, you might want to look for some tips on how to improve your English writing skills to make sure you can be clear and concise with your writing.  Good Luck!

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How to write a standout graduate admissions essay, article highlights.

• Reflect before you begin your application essays.
• Outline your ideas before you put pen to paper.
• Write freely, and then return to edit your essay on the second draft.
• Take your time. Break between writing and editing for a fresh perspective.
• Gather feedback from a trusted source.
• Read your essay aloud to identify needed edits.

Everyone has a story to tell, and we know there’s more to you and your talents than what’s on your resume.  But how will you stand out from the crowd when applying to Johns Hopkins Carey Business School?  

The essay portion of the application is your opportunity to expand beyond your transcript and resume. Share your unique strengths, your background, your growth, or whatever else makes you a strong candidate for Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.  

In this article, you will find a detailed explanation of how to write a standout admissions essay.  

How to prepare

Before you begin writing, read the essay prompts carefully.  Take a moment to reflect and explore why you’re pursuing a graduate business degree. Consider having a pen and notepad nearby as you participate in this reflection exercise. Think about your path thus far and pinpoint moments of growth and learning. Take note of how these moments have shaped you and how these experiences will guide you through your graduate business degree at Carey.  

Map your ideas: 

Now that you have an idea of how to share your story within the context of the essay prompts, it’s time to draft an outline . Map out your key points and outline the supporting examples. As you map the direction and flow of your essay through the outline, keep in mind your audience. Our admissions officers read thousands of application essays, so you want to find a creative hook to make your story stand out.  

Don’t overthink it! Start writing:  

As you start to write your first draft, let the words flow.  At this stage, don’t fixate on grammar or finding the perfect word– just get your thoughts on paper. You will finesse and polish your essay in the second draft.  

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Take a break: 

Once you complete your first draft, take a day or two before returning to edit it. Coming back to your writing with fresh eyes allows you to read it with a new perspective. Tackle the details of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary during this second pass. Consider reading your essay backward to help catch typos. 

Get feedback: 

Once you feel your essays are in a good place, it is highly recommended that you share them for review.  Share them with your advisor, a trusted colleague, friend, or even  your recommender . Getting insights from a trusted source can help you make your essay stronger, as well as catch any typos or small edits.  

Finalize and submit:  

You are almost done. Before submitting your essays, do a final review. Run a spell check and read the essays out loud to yourself. This trick allows you to identify areas that may need clarification or tweaks. As you review your final draft, make sure that you actually answered the question posed on the application.  

Remember, the essay portion of your application is your chance to stand out from the crowd. By sharing who you are as a person, your growth thus far, your passions, your goals, and your voice, you can make a lasting impression. Best of luck with your application process!  

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Hey guys, I'm a junior starting to work on my college application essays. I'm really struggling to come up with a unique and engaging topic that will make my essay stand out. Any tips or suggestions on how to write an exceptional essay? Your input would be really helpful. Thanks a lot!

Hey! I can relate to your struggle, as my child went through the same process not long ago. The key to making your application essay stand out is to choose a topic that showcases your personality and experiences in a unique way. Don't worry about having a groundbreaking story; instead, focus on telling your own story in an engaging manner. Here are a few tips that might help:

1. Reflect on your personal experiences: Think about moments in your life that have shaped you or made you grow as a person. These can be anything from a challenging obstacle you overcame to a simple yet meaningful interaction.

2. Be authentic: Be true to yourself and write about something you genuinely care about. Avoid trying to guess what the admissions officers want to read.

3. Show, don't tell: Use vivid descriptions and anecdotes to illustrate your point. This will make your essay more engaging and memorable.

4. Edit and revise: Don't be afraid to rewrite and rework your essay multiple times. Getting feedback from others can also be invaluable in refining your essay.

Best of luck, and I'm sure you'll write an amazing essay!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Stand Out in College Applications

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/24/24

Looking for college application tips? Learn how to stand out in college applications as well as tips and advice from experts on how to make your college application unique here.

Your college application is an excellent opportunity to show why a school should offer you acceptance. It takes a lot of research and polishing to ensure your application makes a good impact on the admissions committee. 

Your best chance at standing out is to show the admissions team that your credentials align with their expectations and make you a good fit for their institution. Schools want to see you holistically: your academic abilities, your experiences, your short and long term goals, and overall personality.

Make sure your application is unique; it’s a sure-fire way to stand out amongst other applicants. Here are some tips on applying for college and on how to make your application shine to boost your chances of getting into college.

How to Stand Out in Your College Application: 15 Expert Tips

This list will give you various ideas for making your college application stand out to your dream schools. We delve into what looks good on college applications and offer examples of what makes a good impression and conversely, what does not. 

1. Choose Your High School Classes Appropriately

It may feel like typical advice, but taking the right courses to help ease you into your college program is a necessary step to college admissions. Colleges want to see the classes you take as well as your academic standing in each. Your grades are one of the most crucial considerations in admissions decisions. 

Going into your senior year, you should have an idea of what you want to study in college so your courses can coincide with that program. For example, if you wish to get into the medical field, consider taking biology and an advanced science and mathematics course. You may even choose to take summer courses in order to get more experience.

2. Earn Good Grades

Good grades are one of the top criteria to meet when college admissions review your applications. After selecting your courses, it is paramount to get the highest grades you can . That does not mean you have to overwork yourself to get straight A’s, but you should do your best, study hard, and look for help in areas you are struggling in. 

Doing your best in each class means taking advantage of all the resources available to you . Develop better studying, reading, and academic skills and try to style a strategy that best suits you. This will also help you once you reach college as well; note-taking, memorizing material, and reading are crucial when it comes to excelling in post-secondary institutions. 

3. Use Your Personal Statement to Tell Your Story 

One of our top college application tips is to focus on your personal statement. Imagine your life as a book and getting into college is your next chapter. All your life experiences, good or bad, have shaped you into the person you are now, and you can use them to write the personal statement on your college applications. 

College admissions committees want to know what makes you tick, how you evolved as a person in high school, and what you hope to achieve in the future. Telling the story of who you are in relation to why you want to go to college looks excellent on college applications.

In your personal statement, admissions officers appreciate reading about your life and how certain experiences have affected you. You could talk about an unlikely friendship that left a lasting impact on you, a situation where you had to take charge, or your first time playing a sport, going on a trip, or learning a new skill. 

The possibilities are endless; these slice-of-life moments reveal the type of person you are and have a more positive reception than a formal, impersonal essay.

4. Participate in Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are one of the extra special things that look great on college applications. They are not only fulfilling, they can also strengthen your chances of getting into your dream school. Colleges believe that participating in clubs, sports, or any extracurricular activity shows that you have creativity, innovation, leadership skills, and independent thought. 

Be sure you are doing activities you like, not just picking what you think would look good on your application . Devote your time and energy to your talents and hobbies . Whether it be cooking or soccer, dancing or acting, volunteering at your local church, library, or medical clinic, participate in activities that make you proud.

5. Volunteer

Volunteering shows your willingness to help those in need and contribute to the greater good. Colleges see community service as responsible and generally positive ; they can see how your service aligns with the campus culture . However, avoid volunteering just to fill a requirement; engage in long-term opportunities that you feel passionate about. 

Many opportunities are made available to you, from local ones, such as a pet shelter or hospital, or more wide-scale charities, such as Habitat for Humanity or Red Cross.

6. Focus On Your Standardized Tests

Your SAT and/or ACT scores play a central role in the review of your application. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to prepare for the SAT or ACT and enough time to retake your test if necessary.

7. Manage Your Social Media Presence

Some college admissions officers look at social media profiles when recruiting students. Social media offers additional insights into your life: your opinions, extracurricular activities, beliefs, and more. 

Your posts reflect your characteristics, so make sure to monitor your social media accounts for inappropriate posts or vulgar content. Try highlighting your most positive experiences, like traveling or volunteering.

8. Learn as Much About Your School as You Can

Just as you would research a possible employer, do a background check on your target school to learn about its history, values, and culture. You can chat with faculty members or admissions representatives and get to know more about the campus to see if it would be a good fit for you. 

They can also provide more information or useful advice about the school. Some schools will track a student’s communication with the school to see how interested they are in the program. It would not hurt to attend the school’s luncheons, college fairs, or other public events. 

9. Write Thoughtful, Well-Written, Captivating Essays

Whether it is an essay or a personal statement, students often undermine the importance of their application writings. Your personal statements and essays are a chance for you to stand out. Essays humanize your application and put a face to the GPA, test scores, and activities. The best college admissions essays are captivating, engaging, and creative. 

 10. Get Optimal Letters of Recommendation

Having strong letters of recommendation help boost your application by showing the admissions committee another person’s perspective of you. Letters of recommendation are meant to illustrate your skills, accomplishments, and personality in a way that grades and test scores cannot. 

Colleges value these because they get to see other people’s interpretation of you as a person. It would help if you talked with teachers whose classes you have excelled in. The list does not stop there; you can ask tutors, job supervisors, or other authority figures you have worked with in a professional or academic setting.

11. Have a Top-Notch Portfolio

This is more tailored to those interested in majoring in arts or literature programs , but it can be applicable to anyone, regardless of their program of choice. Usually, you would be required to provide a portfolio of your work for review. That means a collection of your best work on the subject. 

Be sure to include the works you enjoyed creating and the ones where you put your heart in, not just your highest-graded pieces. Including pieces that received gratifications or rewards are especially a great addition. Follow each schools’ requirements; if they request ten pieces, make sure it is your top ten pieces of your portfolio.

12. Showcase Your Awards

In a college application, there are usually two places you can mention your awards; the honors subsection or the activities section. You can mention achievements that are not directly related to academia , for example, being vice president of a club, or participating in your neighborhood's local election. 

If you won an award at summer camp, that would be under your activities section. You can also list any annual awards that your school gives out, academic (like winning the spelling bee) or non-academic (voted best hockey player on the team).

13. List Relevant Work Experience

It is not usually required, but if you have worked part-time during high school, you can add your employment history to your applications, especially if the relevant job or internship correlates to what you wish to study in college. 

Adding your employment is beneficial to your application because it shows maturity, responsibility, work ethic, and strength. These are qualities that are ideal for college admissions. If permitted, you can give a brief description of the job, why you took it, and what skills you learned from that job.

14. Go the Extra Mile

Here is an opportunity to show your sense of motivation for colleges. Please take advantage of option steps or resources that colleges provide; it tells them that you are willing to go above and beyond to provide them with additional information. 

You should always give supplemental information to colleges if the option calls for it; if they want an optional interview, do it. If there is a special luncheon for prospective students, attend it. The more involved you get, the better. 

15. Challenge Yourself Academically

Your college application should illustrate the best version of yourself. Admissions committees evaluate your readiness for college and your ability for academic success. Applications should show achievements, merit, and previous accomplishments. 

‍ If possible, take A.P. or honors classes to give yourself an advantage on your application . A B+ in an honors program looks more favorable than an A+ in standard high school courses. Some of your local community colleges may offer courses for high school seniors in which they will receive college credit, which also looks impressive on college applications.

FAQs: How to Stand Out in College Applications

Have some more questions? That is normal. Refer to the FAQs about applying to college, the applications, and other common concerns.

1. How Do I Know My Application Is Unique Enough?

If you have concerns about your application, you can always request help from your high school advisors or even past college students to help you create proper college applications.

2. I’m Not Sure How to Organize My Application. Where Can I Find Help?

There are local workshops around your high school, community centers, or in your area that can offer college application how-tos for high school seniors. You can also ask your high school faculty to help or direct you to the correct services.

3. Is It Okay to Take an Extra Year of High School if My Grades Are Not Good Enough?

Of course! It is better to take an extra year of high school to work on your grades if you feel it is necessary. You have to make sure to earn your high school diploma.

4. Does Paid Work Look Good on an Application?

Yes, as it does showcase your hard work. Commitment to employment displays an incredible amount of dedication as compared to your other peers.

5. How Do I Know Which Colleges to Apply To?

If you are not sure even which colleges to choose from, it always helps to ask yourself these questions in order to research schools before you make your dream list:

• Do you want to go to a big college or a small one?
• Would you like to live in a different climate, location, city, town?
• Are you willing to live on campus or commute?
• What is important to you in a college: school spirit, school clubs, best programs

6. How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

There is no set answer to this question; the range is usually from four to ten. Try aiming for six schools, but do not apply to so many out of fear of being rejected by your top choice.

You can categorize each school by desire: your top choice, your second choice, and your last choice—research on each school’s criteria, like SAT or ACT scores, GPA, and acceptance rate. In the end, compare and see which schools you have the best chance in, a good chance in, and unlikely. Do the order of elimination until you get to about six choices left.

7. Should I Apply Early?

Yes, you can if you feel prepared enough. Colleges tend to have three major admission categories: Early Decision, Early Action, and Restricted Early Action.

Early Decision is the early round of application. Getting accepted Early Decision means you must enroll at the school that chose you, so make sure the school you apply to through E.D. is your top and only choice.

Early Action is the non-binding round of application. You can apply to E.A. to multiple schools, and you will not be required to attend once accepted. If you are applying with Early Decision, you must withdraw any Early Action applications.

Restricted Early Action is a binding round of application, and like E.A., you must attend if accepted. The difference is that with REA, you cannot apply in early rounds to any other schools. 

Some colleges have different variations of these categories, be sure to do a background check on them and read their admission rules thoroughly on their website. 

8. What do College Admissions Committees Look for in its Applicants?

Colleges look for students who are motivated, committed, and interested in their school. Before applying for college you should build up your applicant profile by doing extracurriculars you enjoy, do plenty of college research, and practice writing your essays/interviewing. Good grades are also a key aspect of demonstrating your level of commitment to academia. 

9. What is the Most Important Thing for a College Application?

College admissions committees typically take a holistic approach to admissions and consider all of your submitted materials when making their decisions. Grades carry a lot of weight, but things like your essays, your interview, and your overall ability to demonstrate why you’d be a good fit for the school all play a part in the final admissions process.

10. Do Sports Look Good on College Applications?

Sports look good on a college application because they demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and your ability to create a balance between school and your other interests. However, you should only do sports if you are interested in them. Avoid picking something up because you think it’s what colleges want to see, staying true to who you are is the best course of action.

Final Thoughts

There is no one-size-fits-all tool to create the perfect college application. However, sorting, planning, and organizing your application, as well as researching your dream colleges, will help you get into your target schools . These 15 tips are here to help you make the best version of yourself to colleges.

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9 Tips to Make Your College Application Essay Stand Out

As a high school student preparing to apply for college, one of the most important aspects of your application is the essay. Your college application essay , or personal statement, is an opportunity to showcase your unique personality and experiences to the admissions officer reading your essay. In this blog, we’ll provide you with valuable tips and insights to help you craft a compelling and memorable college application essay that incorporates key elements like storytelling, authenticity, and personal reflection.

1. Demonstrate Self-Reflection and Growth

To make your college application essay stand out, it’s important to take the time to reflect on your life experiences, values, and goals. Admissions officers are particularly interested in your capacity for growth and self-reflection. Reflect on the challenges you've faced, how you overcame them, and the valuable lessons you've learned. When sharing your stories, remember that admissions officers are genuinely interested in getting to know the real you - and what qualities, values and skills you'll contribute to your future college community. By highlighting your personal growth, you can demonstrate maturity, resilience, and a readiness to embrace the college experience.

2. Show Something New

While your college application provides an overview of your achievements and activities, use your essay as an opportunity to reveal something about yourself that schools haven’t yet learned. Avoid repeating information already presented in your application. Open up about experiences or insights that haven't been showcased elsewhere, providing the admissions officers with a fresh understanding of who you are - the living, breathing teenager behind those test scores, grades and activities.

3. Be Personal and Impactful

Remember, your essay is a chance for the reader to get to know you on a personal level. Even if the prompt asks about someone or something else, use it as a springboard to reflect on how that person or experience has influenced or impacted YOU. Share your emotions, thoughts, and personal growth resulting from the encounter, providing the reader with a genuine connection to your story.

4. Start with a Captivating Introduction

Your introduction is the first impression you make on the reader. It should be engaging and captivating, grabbing their attention from the beginning. Consider using a thought-provoking question, an anecdote, or a vivid description to hook the reader. A strong introduction sets the tone for the rest of your essay and makes the reader eager to continue reading.

5. Show, Then Tell

Instead of simply telling the admissions officers about your qualities or achievements, show them through vivid storytelling. Go beyond vague statements and provide concrete details and specific examples. For instance, imagine you want to highlight your leadership skills. Instead of stating, "I am a strong leader," you could "show" a specific example of a time when you demonstrated strong leadership abilities.

As you delve into the "show" part of your story, aim to bring your story to life by incorporating a line or two of dialogue and descriptive language that engages the reader's senses. Use sensory details, those that appeal to the five senses:

Sight : "The dark green of the towering forest enveloped us."

Sound : "The crackling of twigs underfoot echoed through the silent woods."

Smell : "The campfire's smoky aroma intertwined with the crisp scent of pine."

Touch : "The rough texture of the tree bark scraped against my palm."

Taste : "The tangy sweetness of wild berries burst on my tongue."

After "showing" the story through vivid details and specific examples, it's important to do some "telling." You don't need to aim for a moment of profound revelation - you can share a small yet thoughtful insight that provided a new perspective. This reflective moment allows you to convey why the story matters and how it influenced your personal growth.

6. Be Genuine and Authentic

The most compelling essays are those that are honest and genuine. Avoid the temptation to impress the admissions officer by writing what you think they want to hear. Instead, write about what is truly important to you. Share your passions, values, and experiences that have had a significant impact on your life. Admissions officers are skilled at recognizing sincerity and can easily spot exaggerated or inauthentic essays.

7. Find Your Voice

Write your essay in your own voice, as though you were having a conversation with a friendly adult. Strike a balance between being too formal and too casual, allowing your personality and natural tone to shine through. When a friend reads your essay, they should remark that it "sounds like you."

8. Edit and Revise

Don't expect your first draft to be perfect. Writing a standout essay requires multiple rounds of editing and revision. After completing your first draft, set it aside for a day or two, and then return to it with fresh eyes. Look for areas where you can improve sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation. Ensure that your essay flows smoothly and logically.

To ensure that your essay is error-free and polished, have it read and edited by at least one other person. Whether it's a teacher, counselor, or friend, seek their feedback on grammar, spelling, and overall clarity. Additionally, make sure your essay adheres to the word limit set by the college.

9. Is My College Essay Done?

When you finish writing your essay, ask yourself these questions:

1. Did I answer the question?

2. What does the reader learn about me? Is that what I want them to learn about me?

3. Am I the only person who could have written this essay?

If you can answer "Yes" to these questions, then you can submit!

Crafting a college application essay that stands out requires introspection, creativity, and attention to detail. By including a real-life story, revealing something new, being personal and impactful, embracing honesty and authenticity, finding your voice, and seeking feedback, you can create a memorable essay. Remember, your essay is an opportunity to present yourself beyond grades and test scores, so seize the chance to let your true self shine. With these tips in mind, you are now well-equipped to embark on the journey of writing an outstanding college application essay. Good luck!

Does writing a college application essay still seem like an impossible task? Uprooted Academy can help. We can provide you with the tools to apply to college with confidence and success, including how to write a compelling college application essay. Get started with our FREE Step-by-Step College Advising Video Course , and let's figure this out together!

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College Admissions , College Info

What looks good on a college application? It's the question nearly every high school student will ask at some point while applying to college. But is there a clear answer?

Fortunately, the answer is yes! Read on to learn what colleges look for in applicants, what looks really good on a college application, and what kinds of myths there are about good things to put on a college application.

What Are Colleges Looking for in Applicants?

Everyone applying to college has wondered, "What exactly are colleges looking for in applicants?" In other words, what looks good on a college application?

While all colleges are different, of course, with some valuing certain qualities or skills more or less than other schools, all colleges generally look for smart, studious, ambitious, and passionate students.

Therefore, your college application should emphasize your best, most impressive qualities. For example, if you play the violin and want to study music in college, you'll want to touch on this interest you have in different areas of your application.

A good college application will also showcase your sincere interest in the school. You wouldn't be applying to a college unless you had a reason to want to go there, right? Make sure to explain (especially if you need to write a "Why This College" essay ) exactly how you became interested in the school and why you think it's a good fit for you and your goals.

You don't need to be the next Marie Curie or Stephen Hawking, but you should be open to new opportunities and willing to challenge yourself.

Overall, the basic point of a college application is to make you stand out from other applicants in a positive, memorable, and unique way.

This fact is especially important in light of how many first-year applications colleges receive each year. According to the 2019 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) , the number of first-year applications received by US colleges increased by 6% from fall 2017 to fall 2018.

The report found that "the average number of applications for each admission office staff member (excluding administrative staff) for the Fall 2017 admission cycle was 1,035 for public institutions and 461 for private institutions."

These trends indicate that your application will definitely need to leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee if you hope to get into that school.

The degree by which you must stand out from other applicants will depend on how selective a particular school is. In general, the more selective a college is, the more impressive and unique your application will have to be.

Finally, what looks good on an application will vary depending on the college and what the college values. For instance, at colleges that don't place a big emphasis on standardized tests, a high SAT score likely won't be much of a factor in admissions.

This is just a general overview of what colleges look for in applicants. So what looks really good on a college application? Up next, we look at the specific qualities you should strive to include on your application so you can raise your chances of getting accepted.

What Looks Good on a College Application? 7 Key Elements

In addition to key personality traits, such as ambition, passion, genuine interest, and academic curiosity, what looks really good on a college application?

In general, a great application will have most or all of the following elements:

• A high GPA (relative to what admitted students have) and a rigorous curriculum
• Strong test scores (relative to what admitted students have)
• A specific, honest, and well-written personal statement and/or essays
• A unique extracurricular interest or passion (a "spike," as we like to call it)
• Volunteering experience with measurable impact
• Compelling letters of recommendation written on your behalf
• Work experience, particularly jobs related to your academic or professional interests

It's OK if you don't have every single quality listed above, but if you do, your chances of getting accepted to the college of your dreams will go way up!

Now then, let's take a look at each of these qualities in more detail.

#1: Excellent Grades in Challenging Courses

The first important part of the college application is the transcript, which consists of your GPA and the names and types of classes you've taken in high school.

Most people believe a high GPA (the definition of which can vary at different colleges) will make an application stronger. And this is true!

According to NACAC, 75% of colleges ranked grades in high school classes considerably important. In fact, this factor was ranked the most important of any in the report.

What's truly important, though, isn't that you simply have a high GPA overall but rather that you have a GPA that's higher than the average GPA of admitted students at the college you're applying to.

To find a college's average GPA, search "[School Name] PrepScholar admission requirements" on Google and then click our database link to that school. This page will show you what the school's average GPA is, in addition to other admission requirements.

For example, if you want to apply to Notre Dame, you would search for "Notre Dame PrepScholar admission requirements" and click the link to our Notre Dame admission reqs page , which looks like this:

As you can see, Notre Dame's average (weighted) GPA for admitted applicants is 4.06. As a result, if you're applying here, you'll want to have a GPA of at least 4.06, preferably higher so you will be an above-average applicant.

It's not just about getting a high GPA, though; you must also take a range of challenging courses throughout high school if you really wish to impress an admissions committee. According to the NACAC report, 73 percent of colleges rated grades in college prep courses as considerably important. This means you'll want to take not just basic-level classes but also some AP, honors, and/or IB courses, particularly in subjects you are good at and might want to continue to study in college or major in.

The 2019 NACAC report found that a whopping 84% of colleges ranked an applicant's rigor of curriculum moderately or considerably important.

Think about it: though a perfect 4.0 might look great at an initial glance, if you got this high GPA by only taking the easiest classes available and didn't challenge yourself with higher-level coursework, your transcripts aren't likely to impress college admissions officers that much.

Even if you started high school with lower grades, an upward grade trend is a great point to emphasize on your application. This suggests that you're capable of bouncing back from any difficulties you might face and are willing to put in the work necessary for excelling in college.

#2: High Test Scores

Test scores, mainly SAT/ACT scores, are another key part of college applications (unless, of course, you're applying to colleges that don't require test scores ).

On the NACAC report, 83% of colleges believe admission test scores are at least moderately important. This is why it's vital that you try to get as high an SAT/ACT score as you can, ideally one in at least the 75th percentile for your colleges.

The 75th percentile means that 75% of admitted students at a particular school achieved this score or lower. Reaching (or surpassing) this threshold means that you're scoring higher than most other admitted applicants are—and well above that college's average score.

To find the middle 50% (that is, the 25th and 75th percentile SAT/ACT scores) for a school, search on Google for "[School Name] PrepScholar admission requirements." Click the link to our page for the school to see its requirements, including its average SAT/ACT scores.

For example, say you're planning to apply to NYU. Here's what the SAT scores section on NYU's PrepScholar admission reqs page looks like:

Here, we can see the average SAT score for NYU is 1440—that's pretty high, in the 95th percentile nationally !

To really stand out as an applicant, though, you'll want to aim for at least the 75th percentile. For NYU, that's 1510, which corresponds to the 98th percentile, or the top 1% of test takers.

Since you're likely applying to more than just one school, you'll need to set an SAT / ACT goal score , that is, a score high enough to get you into all the colleges you're applying to.

To set a goal score, start by making a chart of all the schools you're applying to. You can make your own chart or download a blank template .

Below is a sample SAT goal score chart:

Next, look up the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores for each of the schools you're applying to using our PrepScholar admission requirements pages. (Follow the steps above for NYU to learn how to do this.)

Once you've got these scores, write them in your chart as so:

Now, look at all the 75th percentile scores in your chart. The highest score will be your goal score, as this is the one most likely to get you into all the schools you're applying to.

With our example chart, the highest score is 1480, or the 75th percentile score for the University of Illinois and UW Wisconsin. By getting a 1480 or higher, you'll be getting an impressive score not just for these two schools, school but also for Marquette and MSU, thereby raising your chances of getting into all colleges you're applying to.

#3: Sincere, Specific, and Well-Written Essays

The personal statement is an important part of your college application as it's one of the only areas where you can really showcase your personality.

According to the 2019 NACAC survey, 56% of schools consider application essays moderately or considerably important. While some colleges don't require essays , those that do usually place at least moderate importance on them.

So how can you ensure your essay will impress the admissions committee? Generally, colleges are looking for three main qualities in a personal essay:

• Honesty: What you write about should have actually happened to you and should be how you actually feel. Exaggerating details and outright lying are big no-nos here!
• Specificity: Using concrete details to effectively convey your thoughts, views, and experiences will make your essay a lot more memorable, personable, and—most importantly—unique.
• Eloquence: Don't expect to get accepted anywhere if your essay is poorly written and full of grammar and spelling errors. A great personal statement has a sensible organization, tells a compelling story, and is completely free of technical errors.

Below are some steps you can take to guarantee that your essay will have all three qualities.

Step 1: Brainstorm Significant Moments From Your Life

What you write about for your college essay will vary depending on the prompt(s) you're given from your school or the prompt you choose (for example, the Common App and Coalition App allow you to choose from among several prompts for your essay).

In general, you'll want to pick a topic that meets the following criteria:

• It really happened and was significant to you: If you're writing about a specific incident, it should be something that actually happened and that had a large impact on how you define yourself, your goals, and/or your interests.
• It's specific and interesting: Don't write about a broad, universal topic that can apply to tons of other applicants as well. Instead, focus on an event, issue, person, or struggle that's unique to you and your life.
• It reveals something important about you: The essay is meant to highlight something you think the admissions committee should know about you, such as a personality trait you have, how you overcame some sort of challenge, or how you became interested in a field of study.
• It has a positive lean: While you don't need to pick a topic that's overly light or cheery, it should still have an ultimately positive lean that reveals something good about you rather than something bad, controversial, or immoral.

Step 2: Write Your Essay

The next step is to actually begin writing your essay. Don't worry too much about grammar and flow at this point; just get down your ideas and start deciding which details and examples might work well in your essay.

As you write, remember to channel your inner voice. This essay should sound like the real you, not an imitation of what you think colleges want to hear. So if you're the sarcastic type, you might want to include a joke or two, for instance. Don't forget that the essay is a way for the admissions committee to learn more about you, so don't shy away from your true self!

On that same note, it's OK to get creative here. The essay isn't an academic essay you'd write for English class—it's a story. Feel free to inject your writing with various literary techniques , such as a non-chronological organization, realistic dialogue, and memorable imagery.

Lastly, make sure you're sufficiently answering the prompt and are abiding by all technical requirements (such as length). You can check a college's essay requirements by referring to its application requirements page or by reading the instructions on the Common App, Coalition App, or Universal College App websites (if submitting your application through one of these platforms).

An essay that's too long might get cut off when you submit it electronically, so be sure it adheres to all the requirements.

Step 3: Edit and Proofread Several Times

Once you have a rough draft of your college essay, it's time to polish it up for submission.

The best way to edit is to put your essay away for a few days. This will give you some distance away from your writing, allowing you to look back at your essay later with a fresher perspective.

As you reread your essay, mark any areas in it that are unclear, awkward, or irrelevant to the main point you're trying to make with it. You should also correct any obvious typos or errors, such as mistakes in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

Once you've done this process a few times, give your essay to someone to read. Ideally, this will be a person you trust, such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or tutor. Have the person you choose offer clear feedback on your essay and check that you've met all requirements. Edit your essay as needed in accordance with the comments you get.

After you've finished all of this, you should now have a perfect college essay to submit with your application!

#4: A Spike in Your Extracurriculars

Almost every college will want to know what kinds of extracurricular activities you do or have done in your spare time.

Indeed, 49% of colleges surveyed regard students' extracurricular activities moderately or considerably important. Ask yourself: what are your interests outside of school and how do you engage in them?

The trick here is to provide not a list of all the random activities you've done but rather a detailed overview of one to two of your most passionate interests and any big achievements you've made in them.

In other words, you need to figure out what your "spike" is, a concept which PrepScholar co-founder and Harvard alum Allen Cheng describes in his expert guide on how to get into the Ivy League .

To put it simply, a spike is deep accomplishment in and knowledge of a particular field.

As an example, say you plan to major in biology. You'll stand out as an applicant if you have tons of biology- or science-related experiences under your belt. Maybe you're part of your school's biology club, or maybe you volunteered at a local research lab, which taught you the basics of handling lab equipment.

In addition to having a variety of experiences and sufficient background knowledge in the field, you want to highlight any relevant major accomplishments you have. For instance, maybe you won a science fair your sophomore year of high school; most recently, you submitted an award-winning invention idea to a national science contest. All of these accomplishments illustrate your deep accomplishment and knowledge in the field of science!

As you can see, this concept of the spike is the opposite of being well rounded, which most students assume they need to be (read the next section to learn more about this myth).

If you're not sure what your spike is just yet, take some time to try out new activities and explore any interests you have, both in and outside of school. Over time you should start to get a feel for what you're passionate about and what you can see yourself committing to in the future.

#5: Compelling Letters of Recommendation

Most colleges require at least one letter of recommendation from either your high school counselor or a high school teacher (or both).

The 2019 NACAC survey indicates that 54% of colleges consider teacher recommendations at least moderately important, while a higher 55% consider counselor recommendations the same. Therefore, we can say it's pretty important to secure great recommendation letters for your application.

If you're asking for a letter from a teacher , make sure to choose someone whose class you got a high grade in (ideally an A) and who is familiar with your abilities, ambitions, and interests. Typically, you'll need to submit at least one letter from a teacher who taught a core class (so math, English, science, or social studies/history).

It's a good idea to also get a letter from a teacher who works in the field you plan to major in. So if you got an A in AP English and plan to major in English, asking that teacher for a recommendation letter would give a great boost to your application.

While you don't have to be best buddies with the teacher you ask, they should definitely know you well , beyond the classroom, so they can effectively explain to admissions committees what makes you special, that is, what makes you worth admitting.

For example, if you did research with a particular teacher, are part of a club this teacher coaches or leads, or helped out this teacher with a project, this would be a good person to ask to write a letter for you.

Once you've secured a recommendation letter writer, be sure to provide them with any materials or information they might need to help them craft a compelling letter .

#6: Volunteering Experience With Measurable Impact

Colleges love it when an applicant has not simply volunteered but has also made a measurable impact with their volunteering efforts. What does this mean exactly? If you have volunteered somewhere or for an organization, your assistance should have resulted in a noticeable, positive change to the group, community, or area you were aiming to help.

For instance, say you volunteered at a local library. Maybe the library was struggling to get funds to continue operating, and you came up with the idea to hold a 24-hour reading marathon in order to raise money. The fundraiser ended up making more than $5,000, a figure that would be a concrete indicator of the positive impact your service had on the library. With your college application, then, you could specifically mention how your initiative allowed the library to remain open.

Note that you don't need to have assumed a leadership role in order to have made a positive impact through your service. That said, college admissions committees are often very big fans of students who show evidence of their budding leadership skills.

#7: (Relevant) Work Experience

Although you're certainly not required to work a part-time job in high school, having some work experience on your college applications, especially any jobs that are related to what you want to study or do professionally, will help you stand out in a positive way.

Even if your job isn't connected to a long-term academic or career goal you have, any (part-time) work experience you have will be great to put down on your application because it emphasizes your sense of responsibility, maturity, and willingness to work for your goals, key qualities that are usually considered important for success in college.

Also, if you have any room on the application to elaborate on your job, I suggest explaining why you initially took the job and what values or skills it's taught you, such as the importance of responsibility or how to work with certain equipment that you'll likely use again in the future.

4 Myths About What Looks Good on a College Application

What looks really good on a college application? Many students think they know, but the truth is that there are a lot of myths out there about what you should include on your application.

Below, we introduce to you the top four myths about what looks good on college applications.

Myth 1: Being Well Rounded Is Critical for Success

One of the most pervasive myths out there about what looks good on a college application is the idea of being well rounded.

Many students assume they'll need to have tons of extracurricular activities on their applications; this, they believe, will emphasize their array of interests as well as their knowledge of a variety of fields. But all this really tells admissions committees is that you're stretching yourself too thin and (most likely) lack focus on a specific endeavor in your life.

What colleges actually want to see is a spike, that is, a single passion. This allows colleges to get a clearer feel for who you are, what you're interested in, and what your goals are. Having a spike lets you stand out in a truly meaningful way, whereas being well rounded will make you forgettable and seem too similar to other applicants.

Spikes are especially important at highly selective colleges and universities , such as Harvard, Yale, and other Ivy League-level schools . You can read more about how to develop a spike in our guide to getting into the Ivy League . Alternatively, if you're interested in pursuing education at a liberal arts school , check out our article on how to figure out what to go to college for .

Myth 2: Essays Aren't That Important

After Time published a 2014 article on why college application essays don't actually matter all that much , students began to fear that all their hard work on their statements wouldn't mean much in the end, if at all.

But while some colleges don't require personal essays , most colleges do require at least one or two essays—and will place a decent amount of emphasis on it, especially if it is being used as a deciding factor between two otherwise equally qualified applicants.

Even though you should approach the essay seriously, it's still generally rare for an exceptionally well-written essay to make up for tons of low grades and poor test scores. On the flip side, if you have a great application but a badly written essay, that essay alone could get you rejected!

Therefore, make sure that you are following all the steps listed above so you can craft the perfect statement for your application.

Myth 3: An A in an Easy Class Is Better Than a B in a Hard Class

Many students believe it's better to stick to the classes you know you'll get As in, but this piece of advice is misguided when it comes to college applications.

In general, colleges prefer students who challenge themselves by taking an array of difficult classes, such as AP and honors classes. And you don't have to get perfect grades in them. If you get a B in a tough AP class, for example, this will emphasize to the admissions committee that you are willing to take on new challenges and test your limits, traits that are necessary for succeeding in and after college.

On the other hand, getting As in all easy classes, though not totally unimpressive, is not nearly as interesting to colleges, as it suggests you're unwilling to push yourself and further hone your higher-level critical thinking skills.

All of this being said, try to avoid getting very low grades in any classes you take (regular or honors/AP). C and D grades obviously won't look great to an admissions committee, even if you got these grades while challenging yourself in AP classes.

If you can't get at least a B or B+ in a difficult class, it'll probably be better for you to drop it and switch to either the regular version of that class or an entirely different class altogether.

Myth 4: Only Perfect Applicants Get Admitted

Many students assume that if they have one little flaw in their application, such as a below-average test score or slightly low grade in a class, their chances of getting admitted to college will be slim to none.

This just isn't true.

Yes, a very low test score or a very poor transcript may cause you to get rejected from a college, but many colleges use a holistic admission process, meaning they look at and consider each individual applicant as a whole. So even if your application has a not-so-stellar component on it, this doesn't necessarily mean you'll be a reject.

In fact, at particularly selective colleges, such as the Ivy League , you'll often hear of cases in which ostensibly "perfect" applicants got rejected. This is most likely because they didn't have a spike in their applications (i.e., something that made them stand out).

Overall, just try your best to produce the best application you can, and then hope for a good result!

Takeaways: What Looks Good on a College Application

Applying to college is tough, and knowing what to put on your applications to make yourself stand out is even tougher. What looks really good on a college application?

Generally speaking, colleges want to see your passion, intellectual curiosity, willingness to challenge yourself, and academic accomplishments.

More specifically, though, colleges typically prefer applicants who have most or all of the following characteristics:

• Good grades and a challenging course load
• Strong test scores
• Honest, specific, and eloquent essays
• A spike in your extracurricular activities
• Compelling letters of recommendation
• Volunteer experience with clear impact on the groups or places you've helped
• Any relevant or impactful work experience

Finally, as you apply to college and try to think of good things to put on a college application, make sure you're aware of the following truths about the application process:

• It's better to have a spike than to be well rounded
• Essays are important!
• A B in a hard course is more impressive than an A in an easy course
• You can still get into your dream school even if your application isn't perfect

What's Next?

A great college application will get you admitted. Use our college acceptance calculator to get an estimated percentage of your chance of getting into your dream school, based on your SAT or ACT score and GPA.

One thing a great college application can have is a high SAT or ACT score. Get expert tips in our guides on how to get a perfect 36 on the ACT and how to get a perfect 1600 on the SAT .

Need help figuring out which colleges to apply to? Our guide teaches you how to narrow down your college choices so that you're applying to the best schools for you.

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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16 Tips to Make Your Graduate School Application Stand Out

From being personal to making your writing really shine, here are 16 answers to the question, “Can you share the most effective tips to help your graduate school application stand out?”

Make a Personal Connection

Show how you’d contribute to diversity at the school, don’t overthink the gmat or gre, show your passion and interest in a chosen field, include a self-introduction video, do your homework, include all the details in your resume, tailor it to the specific program or school, write a strong personal statement, be precise about how you fit the program, recognize your weaknesses and strengths, be unique and original, show real-world experience, get strong recommendation letters, mention your career goals and make them count, practice outstanding writing.

When I was preparing my graduate school applications, one tip that helped my application stand out was looking for ways to make a personal connection. This meant doing research on the specific program I was applying to and reaching out to faculty, staff, and students with questions about the university’s strengths in order to showcase why I thought it would be the best fit for me. 

When I spoke directly with current students, it made me feel more confident navigating the prospects of attending that particular university as well as more connected because I could have conversations and get insider advice. Connecting with the school not only strengthened my application but also gave me a friendly face when I visited campus and helped motivate me through their individual stories.

Antreas Koutis , Administrative Manager, Financer

Demonstrate how you would contribute to diversity at the institution to make your application stand out. By doing this, you’re showing that you know the importance of diversity and that you are committed to making the learning environment as inclusive as possible. 

You are also showing your willingness and eagerness to learn from the unique perspectives and experiences that your fellow students from different backgrounds will bring along with them. Moreover, you’ll be highlighting your ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, which is a critical skill in every profession.

Joe Flanagan, Founder, 90s Fashion World

Although testing is a part of the application process, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. You should take your overall profile into consideration, and if you have an impressive resume and relevant work experience, your scores may not matter as much. 

Focus on making sure that the other components of your application are strong and showing why you would be a great fit for the graduate program. Being able to show a clear passion for the subject or field you are applying for and showing how you plan to use your skills in that field to make an impact can go a long way. Showing who you are as a person and what makes you unique will help your application stand out from the crowd.

Michael Fischer, Founder, Elite HRT

Highlight any relevant research or projects that you have undertaken. Admissions committees are often looking for applicants who have a strong background in the field they are applying to and have a clear passion for the subject. 

By highlighting any research or projects that you have undertaken, you can show your knowledge of the field and your interest in it. You can also include any publications, presentations, or awards that you have received for your research work, as these can also help to set your application apart from others. It’s also a good idea to make sure that your application is well-written, clear, and concise, and that you have proofread it multiple times to avoid errors.

Natalia Grajcar , Co-Founder, Natu.Care

With literally everything around us going digital, it only makes sense that college and graduate schools would eventually catch on. While many of them offer applicants the option of adding a self-introduction video accompanying their admission letter, adding one regardless is a great way to stand out from the crowd. 

The most obvious reason why this works is that videos add a human touch and highlight your personality a lot better than walls of text. Of course, if you’re taking this route, make sure that you have great audio and video recording equipment to make a stellar impact.

Harry Morton , Founder, Lower Street

A well-written statement of purpose will show the applicant’s familiarity with the institution, the desired major, and the faculty members with whom they would interact. Do you hope to collaborate with any particular teachers or researchers? 

Describe the ways in which your time spent learning from this person will benefit your professional development. Applicants who take the time to learn as much as they can about the graduate program they’re interested in (and the opportunities it offers) stand out in the eyes of faculty and admissions officers as people who are truly invested in the idea of joining that particular graduate program’s community.

Edward Mellett , Co-Founder, Wikijob

Applying for admission into a graduate school is not like applying for a job, and that is why it is critical that you know the right format for your application resume in order to make it stand out. 

Many students follow the one-page guideline, in which they keep things brief and check all the necessary boxes, but a graduate school can get thousands of applications that look like this, making the ones that use this format appear mundane. 

Instead, an effective resume should include as much detail as possible, such as internships with included responsibilities, volunteer work, undergrad training, and every related project you have worked on. 

The idea is to show how much more qualified you are than others and not just to do enough to secure an interview. By focusing on details rather than providing short snippets, you can effectively make your graduate school application stand out.

David Derigiotis , CIO, Embroker

Tailor your application to the specific program or school you are applying to. This means researching the program or school, and highlighting how your experiences, interests, and goals align with the program’s mission, values, and focus. This can show to the admissions committee that you are a good fit for the program and that you are genuinely interested in pursuing graduate study in that specific field or at that school. 

To do this, you can:

•  Highlight any relevant coursework, research, or experience that you have that pertains

to the program. 

• Research the faculty of the program and mention any specific professors or research groups you are interested in working with. 
• Explain how your interests align with the specific focus or mission of the program. 
• Show how the program will help you achieve your goals.

Johannes Larsson , Founder & CEO, JohannesLarsson.com

According to Dr. Barry Farber, the main thing he considers when looking at an application is the candidate’s writing skills. Therefore, writing a strong personal statement is one of the best ways to make your grad school application stand out. 

You’ll communicate your value to the admission committee clearly and concisely. So start with an eye-catching introduction that will get the admission committee invested in your application. From here, use an easy-to-read writing voice that communicates your interests in a fun way. 

Scott Lieberman , Owner, Touchdown Money

I consider it crucial to emphasize in your application materials why you’re a good fit for this program. Talk about how your experiences to date and future goals are ideally matched with the programs, courses, professors, and other offerings at this specific institution.

Put your strengths as a researcher, practitioner, or author of a thesis on the topic you hope to teach in the spotlight to show the reader what you can bring to the classroom. The admissions board will probably dismiss all of your applications in which you use the same personal statement and change only the school’s name.

Frederic Linfjärd , Director of Growth Marketing, Planday

I consider it obvious that you should highlight your strengths in all parts of your application, but it might also be a good idea to talk about any problems you have. This is true if your transcript reveals deficiencies, such as a lower GPA or a lack of coursework in your intended field. 

If you can pinpoint valid justifications for these activities, they may become less of a burden for you. If you haven’t completed a course because you switched majors, for instance, you can highlight how you became interested in your new field and how willing you are to make up any gaps by working extra hours. 

An explanation like this could help deflect criticism of your weaknesses and boost your reputation because of your obvious resolve.

Andrew Dale , Technical Director, CloudTech24

I remember how stressful it was to apply to graduate school. I wanted to know all the perfect answers to say and the perfect way to describe myself on paper as being a good fit. One of my best friends who was accepted to his graduate program one year ahead of me gave me a great tip early on and saved me a lot of anxiety. 

He simply said, “Be yourself, because there’s only one of you.” I work as a product strategist for the largest marketing company in Australia and that lesson is mirrored in what I do with content all day. 

No matter how much you dress something up in my world of SEO, my clients succeed more with unique and original content. Consumers are smarter these days and so are graduate admissions directors. They can smell fluff and fake from a mile away. Do some self-study before you apply and be honest with yourself about what makes you unique and what about that uniqueness makes you a good fit for your desired graduate program. That authenticity will carry you through!

William Varney , Product Strategist, Megaphone Marketing

Volunteering, interning, or working as an undergraduate research assistant are all examples of extracurricular experiences that could benefit a graduate school application. It may be a visible manifestation of your commitment to your field of study and to your education, similar to taking up an intensive course load. 

Additionally, if you can narrow your focus within your discipline, you may feel more confident discussing your career aspirations with professors and providing more specific examples in your application essay. Perhaps the same about formal employment. Applying to graduate school after working full time for some time? Highlight your professional maturity in all of your materials.

Timothy Allen , Sr. Corporate Investigator, Corporate Investigation Consulting

There are, of course, a lot of things that will determine if your application for college will be successful or not. However, one thing that can tip the balance in your favor is getting a strong recommendation letter. 

Better yet, make sure you get three or four letters to support your application. Also, don’t just get letters from anyone. Focus on people who are close enough to you to assess your character, but not too close that they appear biased. For example, don’t get a recommendation from a family member, even if they are in powerful positions in the community. Instead, focus on professional and academic relationships that you have built over the years.

Logan Nguyen , Co-Founder, MIDSS

Colleges love alums who have made it in life and lend their institute a good name, so when they find students who aim to do the same in their lives, it is impressive. When you mention your career goals in your application, you reveal yourself as someone who has already laid out long-term plans, an approach that highlights consistency, planning, and determination. 

Your goals also present your intention to make the most of your college experience so that everything you learn here provides the fuel you need to drive a great career plan. The continued impact is one of the most prominent consequences of an excellent college education, and when you show your commitment to align your efforts to this outlook, your application will make it to the top of the pile.

Brendan McGreevy , Head of Strategy, Affinda

A graduate program director receives hundreds of applications every semester. Most of those students applying are just as qualified and impressive as yourself, and sometimes, more so. So, how can you make your application stand out? Hands down, the best advice for making your application stand out is to really commit to refining your writing skills. 

An outstanding writer submitting a well-written application will beat out a more qualified, but poorly written or boring application almost every time. It’s not a skill that a program director looks for specifically, but they know when they are reading someone who is well written. It is such an advantage if you can write well because graduate school is about communication through the written presentation. 

Good writing is a soft skill that is worth investing time in. Not only will it help you get into grad school, but it will also help you beat out other applications in the workplace!

Brian Clark , CEO & Marketing Director, United Medical Education

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University of Notre Dame

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Ask Admissions: How to Make Your Application Stand Out

Published: August 13, 2021

Author: Hailey Oppenlander

Each year, one of the most common questions we get from prospective students is how to make your application stand out.

As a rising senior, I’m a bit more removed from the college admissions process than I’d like to admit (college goes fast, y’all), but I also feel a kinship to your position — ready to enjoy my senior year while somewhat worried about an uncertain future looming ahead, hoping that all the work I’ve put in over the past three years will pay off.

Sometimes, we try to curb the uncertainty inherent in taking the next step by comparing ourselves to others who have been in our position, whether it be on test scores, extracurriculars, essay topics, or something else. But no matter how much comparison we do, there’s no one who can tell you definitively that your application is “good” or “bad,” which I know does little to ease your worries.

I can reassure you that Notre Dame has a holistic application review process, meaning that they weigh all academic and non-academic components of your application evenly. Although this means that you can’t rely on one factor to determine your admissions status, it’s also comforting to know that the admissions counselors take every piece of your application into account. You can view the full evaluation criteria on our admissions website.

Although there’s no single thing that will make your application shine, from my perspective as a current student, I feel that Notre Dame really values passionate, dedicated individuals. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have your life mapped out already. It means you’re intellectually curious, you’ve dedicated your time to some academic and non-academic areas that interest you, and you’re ready to contribute to Notre Dame’s campus, whether it be through clubs, student government, research, service, etc. Any time that you’ve taken initiative to explore your interests — whether through seeking out a volunteer or work opportunity that wasn’t required of you, taking the highest-level courses at your school, or holding leadership positions — will also show that you’re someone who will take advantage of the resources that Notre Dame has to offer.

Outside of your course choices in high school and extracurricular activities, another place you can demonstrate your passion is the essay portion. Since Notre Dame doesn’t do interviews, we like to think of the essays as a “stand-in” of sorts for an interview process. The essays should allow the admissions counselors to get a glimpse of who you are: what you’re interested in, parts of your life story that have shaped you, quirky personality traits and even the hot takes that you have. Easier said than done, I know! If you’re stuck, don’t worry — I spent a few nights crying over my own essays back in high school, but I promise they’ll get to a point you’re satisfied with eventually. Check out these articles from our admissions counselors with more tips for writing great essays, and our blog breaking down each of our 2021 short answer prompts.

Wishing you all the best of luck!

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How to Stand Out with Your MBA Essay and Interview

Just completing the MBA admissions requirements is no small feat. But how do you take your efforts to the next level of getting noticed and ultimately accepted to your dream MBA program? Hone your essay and deliver an impressive interview with these MBA application tips.

Take your MBA essay from good to great

Just about every business school MBA program requires that applicants write at least one essay. So, how do you write one that will help you stand out among the pool of other qualified applicants? The application essay  is your opportunity to get beyond the numbers of your GPA and GMAT score and reveal something deeper about yourself. Ultimately, schools are trying to find out what differentiates you from other candidates and whether you will be a good fit for their program. So how do you do that?

Read the essay prompt carefully and make sure you are answering it. Many prompts will relate to your career goals, and how you imagine earning an MBA will enable you to fulfill them.

Check out our best practices for writing a MBA goals essays .

Your essay should have a logical structure that flows nicely from one idea to the next. Be sure to use lively language and anecdotes from your personal and work life to make the essay interesting and showcase your personality. When you’re finished, remember to proofread your essay carefully—spelling and grammar mistakes will reflect poorly on you.

Another way to set yourself apart from other applicants is by answering the optional essay. Is that a good option for you? Check out our advice .

Nail your MBA interview

After you’ve submitted your essay and the application deadline has past, you’ve made it onto the short list of applicants and been invited for an interview. What should you expect and how can you deliver your best interview ? More importantly, what are some common interview mistakes you should avoid ?

First, its important that you understand the purpose of the interview? The interview panel aims to get to know more about you, your personal and professional achievements, your leadership potential, and how the program can add value to your post-MBA career aspirations. Beforehand, carefully review all your application materials. It’s important that how you respond to questions from panel reinforces the MBA story  you tell in your applications.

Don’t forget: this is your opportunity to ask questions, too. You should take this opportunity to ask questions  that have not been addressed in the marketing materials, such as any curriculum changes and how the business school or program develops relationships with your post-MBA target industry. Don’t ask questions that are answered on the school’s website: this will tell them that you didn’t do your homework and suggests you aren’t a serious applicant.

Most importantly, remember to be yourself! Don’t try to be what you think the business school wants to see.

Insider advice to help you get into your dream MBA program

The MBA admissions process is a unique challenge for any applicant – regardless of how qualified they are. Having a little insider advice from experts can go a long way toward you submitting your best possible MBA application and getting that acceptance letter you’ve been dreaming about.

In the mba.com Full-Time MBA Application Guide, we provide you with the information and guidance you need to craft MBA applications that elevate your story and help you stand out from the pool of other qualified applicants.

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Articles & Advice > College Admission > Blog

Choosing Your Story: How to Make Your Common App Essays Stand Out

Not sure how to write your Common Application essay? Here's a breakdown of the prompts and answers admission officers want (and don't want) to see from you.

by Phoebe Bain Freelance Writer

Last Updated: May 17, 2023

Originally Posted: Jan 7, 2019

Given the amount of college-bound high school students filling out the Common Application every year, it might seem difficult to make these essays stand out. In reality, most of us have pretty similar stories at this age. However, how you shape your own story in these essays has more to do with making you stand out than your story itself. Below is a list of options for Common Application essay questions and how to avoid the most #basic of responses to each.

Addressing your values or background

Common Application prompt: 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.

This essay prompt can often be the most common one students choose to answer. So although this question seems unique, many applicants think of themselves as unique enough to answer it and feel it's a great place to tell an important story.

• Tell an impactful story: Examples of a good answer to this question include writing about your status as an immigrant, your experience being in the foster care system, being a close relative to someone famous, or growing up as a nomad/someone with an alternative lifestyle. Good answers to this question must be exceptional and outside the norm. If you’re a pianist who’s played at Carnegie Hall, go for it. If you’ve only played at your school’s annual holiday recital, don’t.
• Avoid banal experiences: Examples of a bad answer to this question include more commonplace experiences. For instance, if your application would be incomplete without your identity as a youth swim coach, pick a different question; a lot of high school students are youth swim coaches. The same goes if your talent is that you took AP Art and love painting but haven’t done much else with it in your life—or if your interest in biomedical research dosn't include any participation in it. Basically, this is the question about you , you shouldn’t have to think for long about the answer.

Related: How to Write About Bullying In Your College Essay

Writing about a lesson learned

Common Application prompt: 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?

The Common App wants you to get to the deep stuff here. This question has an equally high risk for eliciting poignant answers as it does shallow ones.

• Talk about overcoming a real struggle: Examples of a good answer include writing about times of tragedy , like maybe your house burnt down and you had to do all your schoolwork at the local library for a year. You can write about the time you had to put a family before yourself and how it affected your life, or how you wanted to play on the varsity football team even though you identify as a woman. The more specific the better.
• Avoid typical high school life experiences: Examples of a bad answer include the time you lost a the championship soccer game; the time your high school boyfriend left you for someone else; or the time you broke your left arm and happen to be left handed. The commonality between these three answers is that they’re all common experiences a lot of people learn and grow from. You don't want to be the 200 th essay your dream school receives about someone who didn’t get the lead in their school play.

Reflecting on challenging your beliefs

Common Application prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Sounding too high and mighty gets really easy on this one. But if you view yourself as a student activist, this might be the essay for you. Just follow Kendrick Lamar’s advice here and “Stay Humble.”

• Get (sort of) controversial:  When you think of this “belief or idea” that you challenged, be sure it was something you felt really passionate about. For example, writing about the time you challenged school dress codes because of its sexist nature and worked with school officials to make changes is the right amount of controversial. Writing about the time you tried to go to school naked in protest of said dress codes is over the line. Or maybe it's as simple as joining a political club and challenging your views on politics .
• Don’t paint yourself as a superhero:  Odds are you didn’t single handedly convince your high school to start recycling when it didn’t at all before you graced the school with your presence. You probably had the rest of Environmental Club behind you, even if you were the president. Admission officers won’t love you being cocky, so adopt a down-to-earth tone and give credit where credit is due.

Related: How to Sound Smart in Your Personal Statement

Discussing personal growth

Common Application prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

This is another prompt that's very popular among applicants as most students do some major growing during high school.

• Find what makes you  you: Pick this question if you know you can tell your story with depth. Great examples of these essays include talking about the first time you went hunting with your dad, the death of a close friend or family member, or a specific “aha!” moment.
• Pass over shallow experiences: Don’t pick this question if any part of you thinks your answer might be shallow or something another applicant would submit. Again, talking about the demise of your high school romance is not acceptable, no matter how much you grew from that experience.

Explaining what captivates you most

Common Application prompt: 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 your love of your interests: This one is simple! Have a passion ? Talk about it the way you would to your best friend, then have a bunch of English teachers and college counselors review it. Your passion will come through in your writing as long as it feels sincere.
• Don't lie about your interests: The only way you could write this essay poorly is by lying about your passion. This one has to be entirely truthful, or it will come off as stale.

Related: How to Write About Yourself the Right Way in Your College Essays

Which one do you choose?

Deciding which one of these essay prompts to respond to is all about figuring out what you think will present the best you to an admission committee. If one of these prompts elicits a strong reaction from you right off the bat, go with it! You can always change your mind later if your essay isn’t clicking. And luckily, the Common App also allows you to write on any topic if your choice if there's something you're really passionate about. If something feels like it’s drawing you in, it’s worth exploring and will likely make for a great essay response. 

And if you’re curious about the newest addition to your essay prompt options, learn more about it with our blog on  How to Approach the New Common Application Prompt .

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About Phoebe Bain

Phoebe Bain is an avid writer, reader, runner, ukulele player, and user of the passive voice. Her favorite show is How I Met Your Mother , and she loves how giraffes look when they sleep.

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What is ChatGPT? Here's everything you need to know about ChatGPT, the chatbot everyone's still talking about

• ChatGPT is getting a futuristic human update. 
• ChatGPT has drawn users at a feverish pace and spurred Big Tech to release other AI chatbots.
• Here's how ChatGPT works — and what's coming next.

OpenAI's blockbuster chatbot ChatGPT is getting a new update. 

On Monday, OpenAI unveiled GPT-4o for ChatGPT, a new version of the bot that can hold conversations with users in a very human tone. The new version of the chatbot will also have vision abilities.

The futuristic reveal quickly prompted jokes about parallels to the movie "Her," with some calling the chatbot's new voice " cringe ."

The move is a big step for the future of AI-powered virtual assistants, which tech companies have been racing to develop.

Since its release in 2022, hundreds of millions of people have experimented with the tool, which is already changing how the internet looks and feels to users.

Users have flocked to ChatGPT to improve their personal lives and boost productivity . Some workers have used the AI chatbot to develop code , write real estate listings , and create lesson plans, while others have made teaching the best ways to use ChatGPT a career all to itself.

ChatGPT offers dozens of plug-ins to those who subscribe to ChatGPT Plus subscription. An Expedia one can help you book a trip, while an OpenTable one will get nab you a dinner reservation. And last month, OpenAI launched Code Interpreter, a version of ChatGPT that can code and analyze data .

While the personal tone of conversations with an AI bot like ChatGPT can evoke the experience of chatting with a human, the technology, which runs on " large language model tools, " doesn't speak with sentience and doesn't "think" the way people do. 

That means that even though ChatGPT can explain quantum physics or write a poem on command, a full AI takeover isn't exactly imminent , according to experts.

"There's a saying that an infinite number of monkeys will eventually give you Shakespeare," said Matthew Sag, a law professor at Emory University who studies copyright implications for training and using large language models like ChatGPT.

"There's a large number of monkeys here, giving you things that are impressive — but there is intrinsically a difference between the way that humans produce language, and the way that large language models do it," he said. 

Chatbots like ChatGPT are powered by large amounts of data and computing techniques to make predictions to string words together in a meaningful way. They not only tap into a vast amount of vocabulary and information, but also understand words in context. This helps them mimic speech patterns while dispatching an encyclopedic knowledge. 

Other tech companies like Google and Meta have developed their own large language model tools, which use programs that take in human prompts and devise sophisticated responses.

Despite the AI's impressive capabilities, some have called out OpenAI's chatbot for spewing misinformation , stealing personal data for training purposes , and even encouraging students to cheat and plagiarize on their assignments. 

Some recent efforts to use chatbots for real-world services have proved troubling. In 2023, the mental health company Koko came under fire after its founder wrote about how the company used GPT-3 in an experiment to reply to users. 

Koko cofounder Rob Morris hastened to clarify on Twitter that users weren't speaking directly to a chatbot, but that AI was used to "help craft" responses. 

Read Insider's coverage on ChatGPT and some of the strange new ways that both people and companies are using chat bots: 

The tech world's reception to ChatGPT:

Microsoft is chill with employees using ChatGPT — just don't share 'sensitive data' with it.

Microsoft's investment into ChatGPT's creator may be the smartest $1 billion ever spent

ChatGPT and generative AI look like tech's next boom. They could be the next bubble.

The ChatGPT and generative-AI 'gold rush' has founders flocking to San Francisco's 'Cerebral Valley'

Insider's experiments: 

I asked ChatGPT to do my work and write an Insider article for me. It quickly generated an alarmingly convincing article filled with misinformation.

I asked ChatGPT and a human matchmaker to redo my Hinge and Bumble profiles. They helped show me what works.

I asked ChatGPT to reply to my Hinge matches. No one responded.

I used ChatGPT to write a resignation letter. A lawyer said it made one crucial error that could have invalidated the whole thing .

Read ChatGPT's 'insulting' and 'garbage' 'Succession' finale script

An Iowa school district asked ChatGPT if a list of books contains sex scenes, and banned them if it said yes. We put the system to the test and found a bunch of problems.

Developments in detecting ChatGPT: 

Teachers rejoice! ChatGPT creators have released a tool to help detect AI-generated writing

A Princeton student built an app which can detect if ChatGPT wrote an essay to combat AI-based plagiarism

Professors want to 'ChatGPT-proof' assignments, and are returning to paper exams and requesting editing history to curb AI cheating

ChatGPT in society: 

BuzzFeed writers react with a mix of disappointment and excitement at news that AI-generated content is coming to the website

ChatGPT is testing a paid version — here's what that means for free users

A top UK private school is changing its approach to homework amid the rise of ChatGPT, as educators around the world adapt to AI

Princeton computer science professor says don't panic over 'bullshit generator' ChatGPT

DoNotPay's CEO says threat of 'jail for 6 months' means plan to debut AI 'robot lawyer' in courtroom is on ice

It might be possible to fight a traffic ticket with an AI 'robot lawyer' secretly feeding you lines to your AirPods, but it could go off the rails

Online mental health company uses ChatGPT to help respond to users in experiment — raising ethical concerns around healthcare and AI technology

What public figures think about ChatGPT and other AI tools:

What Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and 12 other business leaders think about AI tools like ChatGPT

Elon Musk was reportedly 'furious' at ChatGPT's popularity after he left the company behind it, OpenAI, years ago

CEO of ChatGPT maker responds to schools' plagiarism concerns: 'We adapted to calculators and changed what we tested in math class'

A theoretical physicist says AI is just a 'glorified tape recorder' and people's fears about it are overblown

'The most stunning demo I've ever seen in my life': ChatGPT impressed Bill Gates

Ashton Kutcher says your company will probably be 'out of business' if you're 'sleeping' on AI

ChatGPT's impact on jobs: 

AI systems like ChatGPT could impact 300 million full-time jobs worldwide, with administrative and legal roles some of the most at risk, Goldman Sachs report says

Jobs are now requiring experience with ChatGPT — and they'll pay as much as $800,000 a year for the skill

Related stories

ChatGPT may be coming for our jobs. Here are the 10 roles that AI is most likely to replace.

AI is going to eliminate way more jobs than anyone realizes

It's not AI that is going to take your job, but someone who knows how to use AI might, economist says

4 careers where workers will have to change jobs by 2030 due to AI and shifts in how we shop, a McKinsey study says

Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Meta are paying salaries as high as $900,000 to attract generative AI talent

How AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the workforce:

10 ways artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, from writing performance reviews to making the 4-day workweek possible

Managers who use AI will replace managers who don't, says an IBM exec

How ChatGPT is shaping industries: 

ChatGPT is coming for classrooms, hospitals, marketing departments, and everything else as the next great startup boom emerges

Marketing teams are using AI to generate content, boost SEO, and develop branding to help save time and money, study finds

AI is coming for Hollywood. 'It's amazing to see the sophistication of the images,' one of Christopher Nolan's VFX guy says.

AI is going to offer every student a personalized tutor, founder of Khan Academy says

A law firm was fined $5,000 after one of its lawyers used ChatGPT to write a court brief riddled with fake case references

How workers are using ChatGPT to boost productivity:  

CheatGPT: The hidden wave of employees using AI on the sly

I used ChatGPT to talk to my boss for a week and she didn't notice. Here are the other ways I use it daily to get work done.

I'm a high school math and science teacher who uses ChatGPT, and it's made my job much easier

Amazon employees are already using ChatGPT for software coding. They also found the AI chatbot can answer tricky AWS customer questions and write cloud training materials.

How 6 workers are using ChatGPT to make their jobs easier

I'm a freelance editor who's embraced working with AI content. Here's how I do it and what I charge.

How people are using ChatGPT to make money:

How ChatGPT and other AI tools are helping workers make more money

Here are 5 ways ChatGPT helps me make money and complete time-consuming tasks for my business

ChatGPT course instruction is the newest side hustle on the market. Meet the teachers making thousands from the lucrative gig.

People are using ChatGPT and other AI bots to work side hustles and earn thousands of dollars — check out these 8 freelancing gigs

A guy tried using ChatGPT to turn $100 into a business making 'as much money as possible.' Here are the first 4 steps the AI chatbot gave him

We used ChatGPT to build a 7-figure newsletter. Here's how it makes our jobs easier.

I use ChatGPT and it's like having a 24/7 personal assistant for $20 a month. Here are 5 ways it's helping me make more money.

A worker who uses AI for a $670 monthly side hustle says ChatGPT has 'cut her research time in half'

How companies are navigating ChatGPT: 

From Salesforce to Air India, here are the companies that are using ChatGPT

Amazon, Apple, and 12 other major companies that have restricted employees from using ChatGPT

A consultant used ChatGPT to free up time so she could focus on pitching clients. She landed $128,000 worth of new contracts in just 3 months.

Luminary, an AI-generated pop-up restaurant, just opened in Australia. Here's what's on the menu, from bioluminescent calamari to chocolate mousse.

A CEO is spending more than $2,000 a month on ChatGPT Plus accounts for all of his employees, and he says it's saving 'hours' of time

How people are using ChatGPT in their personal lives:

ChatGPT planned a family vacation to Costa Rica. A travel adviser found 3 glaring reasons why AI won't replace experts anytime soon.

A man who hated cardio asked ChatGPT to get him into running. Now, he's hooked — and he's lost 26 pounds.

A computer engineering student is using ChatGPT to overcome learning challenges linked to her dyslexia

How a coder used ChatGPT to find an apartment in Berlin in 2 weeks after struggling for months

Food blogger Nisha Vora tried ChatGPT to create a curry recipe. She says it's clear the instructions lacked a human touch — here's how.

Men are using AI to land more dates with better profiles and personalized messages, study finds

Lawsuits against OpenAI:

OpenAI could face a plagiarism lawsuit from The New York Times as tense negotiations threaten to boil over, report says

This is why comedian Sarah Silverman is suing OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT

2 authors say OpenAI 'ingested' their books to train ChatGPT. Now they're suing, and a 'wave' of similar court cases may follow.

A lawsuit claims OpenAI stole 'massive amounts of personal data,' including medical records and information about children, to train ChatGPT

A radio host is suing OpenAI for defamation, alleging that ChatGPT created a false legal document that accused him of 'defrauding and embezzling funds'

Tips on how to write better ChatGPT prompts:

7 ways to use ChatGPT at work to boost your productivity, make your job easier, and save a ton of time

I'm an AI prompt engineer. Here are 3 ways I use ChatGPT to get the best results.

12 ways to get better at using ChatGPT: Comprehensive prompt guide

Here's 9 ways to turn ChatGPT Plus into your personal data analyst with the new Code Interpreter plug-in

OpenAI's ChatGPT can write impressive code. Here are the prompts you should use for the best results, experts say.

Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, has a global deal to allow OpenAI to train its models on its media brands' reporting.

Watch: What is ChatGPT, and should we be afraid of AI chatbots?

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