Date
May 17, 2024
What Is a College Essay and How to Get Started: A Guide for Students and Parents
Maybe you love to write, or maybe you don’t. Either way, there’s a chance that the thought of writing your college essay is making you sweat. No need for nerves! We’re here to give you the important details on how to make the process as anxiety-free as possible.
What’s the College Essay?
When we refer to “The College Essay” (yes, with those capitals for emphasis!), we mean the crucial 550-650 word essay that most colleges and universities require as part of the application process. This essay is your opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, and aspirations to admissions committees.
Where to Find Essay Prompts
You can find college essay prompts on the institution’s website or through application platforms like the Common Application. While not every college mandates an essay, most semi-selective and highly selective colleges do.
How to Get Started on Your College Essay
1. Identify the Prompts
Begin by looking for the essay prompts on the application you’re using. For most students, this will be the Common Application, although some colleges have supplemental prompts.
2. Choose a Prompt That Resonates
If one of the prompts stands out to you, fantastic! You can dive right in and start brainstorming ideas. However, if none of the prompts seem to inspire you, don’t worry. The prompts are often broad enough that nearly any topic you choose can fit into one of them once you refine your ideas.
3. Brainstorm Ideas
Consider your experiences, passions and values. Reflect on moments that have shaped who you are. This brainstorming phase is crucial; write down anything that comes to mind without filtering yourself.
4. Outline Your Thoughts
Once you have some ideas, create an outline to organize your thoughts. This can help you maintain a clear structure in your essay and ensure that you cover all the points you want to make.
5. Write the First Draft
With your outline in hand, start writing your first draft. Don’t worry about making it perfect; focus on getting your thoughts down. You can refine and edit later.
6. Revise and Seek Feedback
After writing your draft, take a break before revising. Once you revisit your essay, look for clarity, coherence and overall impact. It can be beneficial to share your essay with teachers, family members or friends for feedback.