Crafting a Compelling College Essay: Dos and Don’ts

Applying to college is a very stressful process, and nothing skyrockets students’ stress levels like the college essay. The college essay is very stressful because, unlike grades and test scores, it’s open-ended. There are a million different ways to write a college essay, and a million possible topics. Students often have a hard time knowing what to write their college essay about. They often don’t even know where to begin! Let’s take a look at some college application essay Dos and Don’ts to help get you on the right track with your college essay.

Dos for your college application essay

Writing a college essay may be daunting, but follow these tips, and you’ll be typing away in no time.

1. Do think about what you want colleges to know about you

Remember: The college essay is your chance to show colleges who you are in your own words. What do you want colleges to know about you? Who do you want to show to them? Take some time to consider what persona you would like to present to colleges. Then, think about what stories or events from your life allow you to showcase best the traits you’re trying to convey.

2. Do use your college essay to tell a story

Do use your college essay to tell a story and make it personal. College admissions officers have to read essay after essay after essay, all day, for months. Telling a story is a good way to help grab their attention. It will also give you the chance to demonstrate your point in a way that is specific, relatable, and memorable. Think carefully about which story will help you articulate your point, and then tell that story in your college essay. Just make sure to be succinct and engaging.

3. Do reflect on the story you tell

It’s not enough to just tell a story from your life. Part of the point of the college essay is to show that you are a mature, capable, reflective thinker. So, after you’ve told the story in your college essay, you have to reflect on it. Why was this story so important to you? How did you change as a result of this story? Why have you chosen to tell it now? Reflection is an important part of your college application essay, and it lets admissions officers see that you have the ability to sit down and grapple with complex ideas.

4. Do leave yourself plenty of time to write your college application essay

Do leave yourself plenty of time to write your college application essay. Good writing takes time – way longer than you think – and several drafts. Start at least three months before the deadline to give yourself time to improve your writing, think and get feedback, and write and rewrite it. It may be a long process, but your essay will come out much more polished if you give yourself enough time to go through several drafts and get useful feedback.

Don’ts for your college application essay

Try to avoid these common pitfalls when drafting your college essay. 

1. Don’t write about a very common college application essay topic

There are a few college essay topics that admissions readers see over and over…and over and over. These include the following:

• The time your team worked very hard and won the big game…or didn’t win but learned a lot
• An important lesson your grandma taught you
• The time you traveled to a different country and learned just how good your own life is

Of course, even though these topics are widely overdone, it is still possible to write about them in a unique and engaging way. But unless you’re very confident that your particular college essay is a fresh take, it’s best to steer clear of these topics.

2. Don’t submit the very first thing you write

It is important to take your time with your college essay. You don’t necessarily want to tell the first story that comes to mind, and you don’t want to submit your very first draft. Give yourself time to edit! Your essay has to fall within the right word limit, so it’s important to take your time so that you can craft the story you want to tell within the proper constraints.

3. Don’t start with the prompts

This is a very common trap that students fall into! Students often read the essay prompts and then try to squeeze themselves into the prompt offered. This is understandable, but it makes you think much more narrowly than you otherwise would. The prompts are quite broad. Pretty much any essay you write could fit into one of them. So, instead of limiting yourself, think first about who you want to come off as and which story about yourself you want to tell. Then, write the essay, then decide which prompt fits. It will definitely fit one. After all, the last prompt in the Common App is a wildcard prompt. You’re allowed to submit any essay or piece of writing you want!

College application essay examples

Let's look at some impactful college application essay starters and topics.

College essay first sentences

One of the hardest things to do is start! Here are some examples of successful college essay first sentences:

1. I heard a loud bang. I thought a bird had hit the roof of my car, but when I got out, I saw the front bumper dangling off the right side.
2. I swing my pickaxe into the crevice of a rock a few feet above me, praying that it holds when I hoist myself to the next foothold. If it doesn’t, and I lose my pickaxe… I try not to think about it. 
3. I thought the town would have changed in the six years since I had left, but as we drove past the old snowcone shop that my mom went to as a kid, I began to think that maybe I was the one who had changed.
4. Nine-year-old Isabelle and I stood under the bars, chalk flying around us. 

College application essay topics

Here are a few of the successful college application topics we’ve seen over the years.

1. The student who loved working on cars and refurbished an old VW. He illustrated how the lessons he learned from working on his car applied to different parts of his life. 
2. The student who reflected on a video she watched in stats class. The video helped her grapple with the balance of effort and privilege she has faced in her own life up to this point.
3. The student who reflected on her decision to quit dance used this as an opportunity to explore her personal philosophy and the concept of quitting more generally.

Want more ideas? Here are several more college essay examples.

Need more advice on your college applications?

The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school to college. Great College Advice provides individually tailored, one-on-one advising to help young people achieve their educational ambitions. If you’d like more information about their services, contact them for a free consultation. Or just pick up the phone and call at 720.279.7577.  

We trust these dos and don'ts for crafting a compelling college essay prove valuable in your writing journey. Follow guidelines, revise diligently, and seek feedback. Your essay is a powerful tool; wield it thoughtfully to leave an indelible impression on admission committees.