College Essays & Resumes

When writing your college essay, steer clear of simply listing your activities and accomplishments. Instead, share something about yourself that isn’t clear from the rest of your application. Consider your strongest personal traits, interests, values, and goals. Choose one of these qualities to focus on and make it the theme of your essay.

Clearly establish the theme of your essay in the first paragraph. Begin with a compelling opening sentence to capture the reader's attention. Avoid awkward phrasing; for example, instead of saying, “it was really very important to me – and my parents too - that…,” you can say, “it was imperative that I…” Keep your essay around 500 words, unless the application specifies a different length.

Many students write about similar topics in their college essays: family, loss, vacations, sports, and career goals. Your job is to make your essay unique. One of the best ways to do this is to use imagery and sensory details.

For example, instead of, "The culture of Paris made an impact on me." try, "My outlook on life shifted as I sat, lost in a whirlwind of language, mesmerized by the Eiffel Tower while sampling a warm banana-Nutella crepe." Be creative. Your essay will surely stand out.

Don’t let nerves overwhelm you. The college essay may be your only chance to showcase your personality to the admissions office. Avoid writing it like a research paper; let your voice shine through.

If you have a witty side, share your sense of humor with the reader, but be careful—what you find funny may not resonate with everyone. Conversely, consider adopting a slightly more serious tone if you're more reflective.

Embrace your painful experiences as opportunities for growth, highlighting the valuable lessons learned and the positive transformations they have sparked in your life!

Your college essay is an opportunity to highlight your best qualities. However, it’s important to stay modest. While your essay should showcase your strengths, you should avoid sounding boastful. 

When discussing an activity or experience, concentrate not on your accomplishments or skills but on what that experience or activity means.

Typing your college essay is highly recommended, as it demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. Only opt for handwritten submissions if your application specifically requires it.

Having a well-crafted essay or a captivating story is important, but neglecting to proofread could lead to your work being overlooked and ultimately rejected. Spelling errors are unacceptable, as careful proofreading demonstrates to the reader that you care about your writing and pay attention to detail. 

Before submitting your essay to colleges, it's a good idea to have someone you trust review it and offer feedback. Your English teacher is usually more than willing to help with this.

College admission officers value authentic voices, so heartfelt essays can significantly impact your application. Keep in mind that these officers can usually detect essays not written by the student, often leading to immediate rejection.