With the Common App opening up in a few days, we are updating our series on writing the perfect college essay. We began the series by writing about our most important essay tip: you need to focus your essay on YOU! See our Guide for the Common App Essay for more tips on how to make your application stand out to admission officers.
Now that you have taken some time to think about what you want your essay to say about you, let’s examine our next tip: Go Deep!
When writing your personal statement, it is essential to go below the surface. Think about things that are hidden, something you may not have shared with many people. Remember admissions officers want to get to know you. They want to know you as a person, not just a piece of paper. So, consider going deep.
Here are some tips to help you discover some buried treasures.
Uncomfortable(often)=Good
Many students are afraid to write about something personal because it is uncomfortable for them. More than likely this is the best essay topic to consider because it will be PERSONAL. However, an experience that is close to you, private, hurtful, difficult, has also deeply affected you.
The perfect college essay shows some vulnerability
Many students hesitate to write about such experiences, believing that they need to demonstrate strengths, rather than weaknesses. They fear that they will be passed over if they do not appear superhuman: “I faced the unbeatable foe, and slayed him!” Yet admissions officers are not looking for superheroes to populate their campuses. They are looking for living and breathing humans who are capable of reflection, who understand their fallibility, and who will contribute their strengths and an ability to reflect upon weakness to the betterment of the campus community.
Find your voice
You know that little voice inside your head? The one that you talk to when you can’t sleep at night? They one that questions your decisions and helps you deal with your everyday problems? What would that little voice say about you? Write your essay using that voice.
Take chances
While it can be incredibly scary to reveal your vulnerable side, remember that you will more than likely never see admissions officers once you arrive on your college campus. They will not share your essay with the entire college community or publish it in the school paper. More than likely, only a handful of people in the admissions office will read your file. So, don’t be afraid to share deeply personal information.
‘Show, Don’t Tell’ when crafting the perfect college essay
‘Show, don’t tell’ is a favorite phrase of ours at Great College Advice as we provide feedback to our students during the college essay writing process. We didn’t invent the term, but it’s a helpful guideline to remember in creative writing. What does it mean? Simply, it encourages writers to transmit experiences to the reader, rather than just information.
Did you have a transformative experience during your time volunteering with a local organization the last few years? Don’t just tell the admissions officer that it was transformative. Provide specific stories using vivid imagery that brings to life your experience with this volunteer opportunity. In this way, the application reader can better visualize you in this setting and perhaps then picture you making an impact on their campus.
Now that you have spent some time gaining some personal insight in order to write your essay, tomorrow we will cover the next step on the road to the perfect college essay: developing a good story.
Need help writing the Perfect College Essay?
The expert college counselors at Great College Advice have years of experience helping students craft college essays that stand out to college admission officers. We know how to help you choose topics, structure the prose, hone the messages, and edit the essay to perfection. These essays are an essential aspect of the college application process, and you want to make sure your essay represents you well. If you need some personalized guidance on how to write the personal statement and supplemental essays, please give us a call or fill out our contact form.
