What makes a great essay?
A winning college essay is personal — it’s why they call it a personal statement. It’s meant to show how you think, what matters to you, and what you’d bring to a college community. It should be vulnerable, compelling, and include storytelling that illustrates the person behind the transcript. The best essays almost seem like diary entries, full of honesty and introspection, with your values and personality traits shining through. I’ve even had students include poetry or other creative elements.
Here are some common pitfalls I see that mean you’re headed in the wrong direction:
The essay is a report on activities or achievements.
It talks more about an event or person than you.
It makes general statements and doesn’t include examples.
It’s on the surface and doesn’t include feelings or thoughts.
It’s just plain boring.
You can find tons of examples of great essays online. Do you know if they actually led to acceptance? Not usually. (Though Johns Hopkins publishes “Essays That Worked.”) But if they are a good piece of writing and you found yourself engaged in them and curious about the person behind them, then chances are they did the trick. We can all recognize good writing and storytelling.
Here are some essays I like:
How should you judge your essay? First, share it with others. Everyone needs an editor, whether a college essay coach or a loved one. Next, ensure it’s well-written, flows well, and is mistake-free. (That may seem obvious, but most students learn academic writing rather than narrative writing.) Online tools or a writing expert can help.
In the end, though, it’s your essay. It only matters how you feel about it. It should make you proud and confident about your application. If it reflects your best, it’s a winner.
