College Essay Advice
Defining the college essay
The college essay is a distinctive part of the American college application. Students who have performed well in high school in a range of ways (grades, extracurriculars, standardized tests) are asked to write a 650-word piece that helps admissions readers understand how a student interprets their experiences and makes decisions. Unsurprisingly, this causes a great deal of stress. Even students who have performed extremely well throughout high school often feel they have nothing interesting to say.
This page provides an overview of how the college essay works and links to detailed college essay advice covering topic selection, writing approach, and when students may want feedback.
Many resources focus heavily on sample essays and formulas. This can give students the impression that the college essay has a template, when in fact admissions readers are trying to understand how a student interprets their own experiences and decisions.
In working with students, I have often seen that when they reflect honestly on a specific part of their lives — when they take the Common Application prompts seriously — they begin to produce ideas and observations that did not seem available to them at the start.
The college essay is therefore best understood as an exercise in reflection. It asks students to pause the normal rhythms of achievement and consider what their experiences have meant to them.
In most U.S. applications, this essay is also called the personal statement, and the same underlying principles apply regardless of the specific prompt.
Why students get stuck
The college admissions process is highly structured. Students spend years choosing classes, preparing for exams, and building activity lists. When they reach the essay, they often approach it the same way: as another task to execute successfully.
When students treat the essay primarily as a performance, predictable patterns appear:
They write “humble brags” that subtly communicate achievement.
They draw clichéd conclusions because they believe colleges expect certain messages.
They rely on elaborate metaphors because they think that’s what good writing entails.
They read many sample essays and become increasingly anxious about their own material.
With so much pressure surrounding admissions, it is not surprising that many students struggle to begin.
A Useful Framework for Writing
In working with students, I have found it useful to focus on two principles: authenticity and specificity.
Authenticity. Strong essays emerge when students describe experiences honestly rather than trying to construct an impressive persona. The goal is not to invent a version of themselves but to understand what they actually noticed, felt, or learned.
Specificity. Students also need concrete detail. General statements rarely distinguish one applicant from another. Careful attention to particular moments, observations, and small decisions allows an admissions reader to see how a student thinks.
Together, these principles shift the essay away from performance and toward interpretation. When students understand their experiences clearly, they usually discover they have more material than they initially assumed.
College Essay Resources on This Site
The articles below address common questions students encounter at different stages of the college essay process. They are organized so readers can either move through them in order or consult a specific topic.
Understanding the essay (what admissions readers are evaluating)
These pieces clarify what the essay is meant to accomplish and address common misunderstandings about its purpose.
What Colleges Want in a College Essay (And What They Don’t)
Explains why admissions officers are not searching for particular personality traits and describes the qualities that make an essay feel distinctive and readable.
The #1 Mistake Smart Students Make on Their College Essays
Describes why high-achieving students often struggle with the essay and how approaching it differently changes the outcome.
Writing the essay (how to approach the process)
These articles focus on actually producing the essay once its purpose is clear.
How to Write a College Essay That’s Actually Good
Discusses how students can begin developing a topic and identify meaningful material from their own experiences.
College Essay Dos and Don’ts for High-Achieving Students
Outlines common habits that weaken essays and suggests more productive approaches.
How to Write Strong UC Personal Insight Questions (Without Sounding Generic)
Explains how the UC essays differ from the Common Application essay and how students can adapt their writing accordingly.
Getting help (when outside guidance makes sense)
Some students prefer to work independently, while others want structured feedback.
Do You Need Help With Your College Essay? Here’s How to Decide
Describes situations in which guidance can be helpful and what students should look for if they seek it.
Many students work through these materials independently. Others find that discussing their ideas with an experienced reader helps them clarify their thinking and avoid common pitfalls.
Information about individual feedback and coaching is available on the college essay coaching page.
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