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Guest Post: How to Navigate College Essay Season

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By Kelly Clinch (our college counselor friend!)

Writing college essays is probably the most intimidating part of applying to college for many students. From the Common App personal statement to supplemental essay prompts, students often struggle to find the best topics, the best approach, the best framing to present themselves to colleges. 

Consider your essays as an opportunity to share more about yourself. Don’t just rehash something that is already listed in your application. What will colleges never know about you unless you tell them in your essay? 


The Personal Statement

This is the big one, the essay that all of your colleges will see. It is your headline, your introduction. Think of it like going in for a job interview: What is the first impression you want colleges to have of you? 

  • Keep it Positive: Make a list of your strengths, talents and gifts. Consider the positive qualities you want to share with admissions. This list will help you decide the best focus for your essay. Choose ONE of these strengths as a focus.
  • Show, Don’t Tell: Now decide how you can SHOW that strength to colleges. What specific experiences, moments, habits, passions, interests in your life SHOW this trait? Be specific. This is how you find the best story (or stories) to tell that show colleges how you have developed this strength or trait in your life. Now tell that story using sensory details. Develop an arc to show your personal growth in this area.
  • Be Unique: Many essay coaches share a list of topics to avoid in college essays (sports injuries, mission trips, camp, etc). My advice is to choose something in your life that makes you unique. Lots of kids go to camp. Lots of kids play sports. Lots of kids go on mission trips. What have you done that is different? Usually this is found in the “small moments” of your life, not the big ones. Your obsession with water bottles, your love of doodling, your need for a certain pencil to write with, your secret wish to live your life in a van (yes, these are all successful essay topics from past essays!) These quirky personality traits/stories make wonderful vehicles for college essays.

Supplemental Essays:

Many colleges ask you to write additional essays for their individual applications, especially the more competitive ones. Remember, they will also have read your personal statement, so make sure these essays are distinct from your personal statement in topic and themes. Here are a few common supplemental essay topics and how to approach them:

  • The “Why Us” Essay: This essay prompt asks you to explain why you want to attend the University of XYZ. The key here is to do your research. Do a deep dive into the major you’re interested in or the opportunities on campus. What professors, courses, and programs do they offer that are unique to this particular college? How will those programs help you meet your educational goals? Be specific. Be focused and goal-oriented in these essays. Do not say you love the campus or the football team – this is about your academic goals. Pro Tip: Read the school’s mission statement to understand what is important to them and frame your essay around this!
  • The Extracurricular Essay: This essay prompt asks you to elaborate on an activity you do outside of class and your impact. If you can, write about something you haven’t listed on your Activities List. If you have to write about something on that list, make sure you highlight something that is new and more specific than the description in your application. Even better, write about something unique – maybe your love of sewing or refurbishing an old car. Think outside the box!
  • The Community Essay: This prompt asks you to describe a community that you are part of – remember that “community” can mean lots of different things, from a club to your family to the farmers market you visit each Saturday. Be creative here in choosing your community. Be sure to explain your impact on this community and/or how it has shaped you. 

Remember, each of your college essays is an opportunity to share something new about yourself with admissions. Focus on what makes you unique and choose topics that stand out. The goal is to help colleges learn more about YOU and why you would be a good fit for their campus. Colleges are NOT looking for perfection in your essays; they are looking for (unique, special, distinct) YOU!

 

Kelly Clinch
Clinch College Consulting
www.kellyclinch.com

Kelly Clinch is an Independent College Counselor and College Essay Coach. She is a former Fulton County Schools English teacher and writing specialist. She is a member of IECA and SACAC and earned a certificate in College Counseling with distinction from UCLA.