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how to make an essay stand out

How to Write a Stand-Out College Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Pascale Bradley in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Introduction to college admission essays, make your college admission essays stand out, choose a compelling topic.

College admission essays comprise approximately 20% to 25% of the evaluation criteria for college applications. This is especially true when applying to top-tier institutions with large pools of applicants who are equally competitive with respect to their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement. Most schools require applicants to submit a Common Application essay and their own school-specific supplemental short responses and essays. However, they also require applicants to respond to different types and quantities of topics, and you need to confirm which essays are required for each school. 

Essays are the most significant personal component of the application process. They serve an integral role in humanizing you and helping colleges understand who you are, how you came to be, what you value, and how you respond to different challenges and situations. This information is critical because it helps admissions officers determine what you can contribute to their respective school, which is important because you need to demonstrate why a college should want you to attend and not just why you want to go to that college. 

Essays will range from 100 to 700 words in length. Short responses may range between one or two words to several sentences. You may also have the opportunity to submit a multi-page document or a portfolio of your work for a particular program or for admission in general.

When it comes to writing college admission essays, most applicants feel pressured to write about something that others will perceive as exceptionally interesting and impressive, such as a national award or a niche hobby. Applicants may feel unsure and insecure about not being talented, accomplished, or interesting enough, and the events and experiences in their daily life may feel too mundane or clichéd to write about. These pressures and insecurities stem from applicants internalizing the incessant messaging that they need to be exceptional and unique in order to distinguish themselves from other applicants and be attractive to schools. 

Most applicants have not accomplished anything of regional, national, or international significance. Even for the few who have such accomplishments, the accolades in and of themselves are not sufficient to craft a compelling essay. 

What actually makes a compelling essay is not what you choose to write about but how you write about whichever topic you choose. The essay will stand out because of your voice, your perspective, and your way of experiencing the world. You will not be penalized for what you have not experienced or achieved, as admissions officers understand that not everyone has access to the same set of opportunities and that geographic location, socioeconomic status, family connections, and many other factors constrain and determine what you are able to do in high school. 

Once you divorce yourself from the misconception that your essay needs to be about something dramatic, life-altering, or incredibly exciting, you can start to home in on the content of your life that is worth writing about. Moments from and aspects of your everyday life—a book that was particularly meaningful to you, a relationship that you cherish, a memory of time spent with loved ones, a time when you were humiliated—are the seeds of great essays because they are the vehicles by which you can reveal something significant about who you are and how you think.

Your essay can be about anything you want, so long as it is appropriate for a general audience, satisfies the prompt to which you are responding, and shows the admissions officers something important about you that they could not find anywhere else in your application. Topics and content to avoid include any statements that could be construed as racist, sexist, classist, homophobic, xenophobic, or otherwise prejudiced against any particular group of people. You should also avoid the use of unsupported facts, obscene language, illicit activities, violence, or graphic subjects. 

If you are considering writing about something that could be considered controversial, you need to recognize and prepare for the reality that your reader may completely disagree with you and may finish reading your essay doubting your character. Although there is a slight chance that you could write a really strong essay about one of these topics, you run a great risk that is unnecessary and will likely not prove worthwhile. 

For more information about how to write strong college admission essays, review our comprehensive articles on “ How to Write the Common Application Essays ” and “ 19 Stellar Common App Essay Examples ” to get inspired.

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how to make an essay stand out

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12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

College admission committees sift through thousands of college essays each year. Here’s how to make yours stand out.

Pamela Reynolds

When it comes to deciding who they will admit into their programs, colleges consider many criteria, including high school grades, extracurricular activities, and ACT and SAT scores. But in recent years, more colleges are no longer considering test scores.

Instead, many (including Harvard through 2026) are opting for “test-blind” admission policies that give more weight to other elements in a college application. This policy change is seen as fairer to students who don’t have the means or access to testing, or who suffer from test anxiety.

So, what does this mean for you?

Simply that your college essay, traditionally a requirement of any college application, is more important than ever.

A college essay is your unique opportunity to introduce yourself to admissions committees who must comb through thousands of applications each year. It is your chance to stand out as someone worthy of a seat in that classroom.

A well-written and thoughtful essay—reflecting who you are and what you believe—can go a long way to separating your application from the slew of forgettable ones that admissions officers read. Indeed, officers may rely on them even more now that many colleges are not considering test scores.

Below we’ll discuss a few strategies you can use to help your essay stand out from the pack. We’ll touch on how to start your essay, what you should write for your college essay, and elements that make for a great college essay.

Be Authentic

More than any other consideration, you should choose a topic or point of view that is consistent with who you truly are.

Readers can sense when writers are inauthentic.

Inauthenticity could mean the use of overly flowery language that no one would ever use in conversation, or it could mean choosing an inconsequential topic that reveals very little about who you are.

Use your own voice, sense of humor, and a natural way of speaking.

Whatever subject you choose, make sure it’s something that’s genuinely important to you and not a subject you’ve chosen just to impress. You can write about a specific experience, hobby, or personality quirk that illustrates your strengths, but also feel free to write about your weaknesses.

Honesty about traits, situations, or a childhood background that you are working to improve may resonate with the reader more strongly than a glib victory speech.

Grab the Reader From the Start

You’ll be competing with so many other applicants for an admission officer’s attention.

Therefore, start your essay with an opening sentence or paragraph that immediately seizes the imagination. This might be a bold statement, a thoughtful quote, a question you pose, or a descriptive scene.

Starting your essay in a powerful way with a clear thesis statement can often help you along in the writing process. If your task is to tell a good story, a bold beginning can be a natural prelude to getting there, serving as a roadmap, engaging the reader from the start, and presenting the purpose of your writing.

Focus on Deeper Themes

Some essay writers think they will impress committees by loading an essay with facts, figures, and descriptions of activities, like wins in sports or descriptions of volunteer work. But that’s not the point.

College admissions officers are interested in learning more about who you are as a person and what makes you tick.

They want to know what has brought you to this stage in life. They want to read about realizations you may have come to through adversity as well as your successes, not just about how many games you won while on the soccer team or how many people you served at a soup kitchen.

Let the reader know how winning the soccer game helped you develop as a person, friend, family member, or leader. Make a connection with your soup kitchen volunteerism and how it may have inspired your educational journey and future aspirations. What did you discover about yourself?

Show Don’t Tell

As you expand on whatever theme you’ve decided to explore in your essay, remember to show, don’t tell.

The most engaging writing “shows” by setting scenes and providing anecdotes, rather than just providing a list of accomplishments and activities.

Reciting a list of activities is also boring. An admissions officer will want to know about the arc of your emotional journey too.

Try Doing Something Different

If you want your essay to stand out, think about approaching your subject from an entirely new perspective. While many students might choose to write about their wins, for instance, what if you wrote an essay about what you learned from all your losses?

If you are an especially talented writer, you might play with the element of surprise by crafting an essay that leaves the response to a question to the very last sentence.

You may want to stay away from well-worn themes entirely, like a sports-related obstacle or success, volunteer stories, immigration stories, moving, a summary of personal achievements or overcoming obstacles.

However, such themes are popular for a reason. They represent the totality of most people’s lives coming out of high school. Therefore, it may be less important to stay away from these topics than to take a fresh approach.

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Write With the Reader in Mind

Writing for the reader means building a clear and logical argument in which one thought flows naturally from another.

Use transitions between paragraphs.

Think about any information you may have left out that the reader may need to know. Are there ideas you have included that do not help illustrate your theme?

Be sure you can answer questions such as: Does what you have written make sense? Is the essay organized? Does the opening grab the reader? Is there a strong ending? Have you given enough background information? Is it wordy?

Write Several Drafts

Set your essay aside for a few days and come back to it after you’ve had some time to forget what you’ve written. Often, you’ll discover you have a whole new perspective that enhances your ability to make revisions.

Start writing months before your essay is due to give yourself enough time to write multiple drafts. A good time to start could be as early as the summer before your senior year when homework and extracurricular activities take up less time.

Read It Aloud

Writer’s tip : Reading your essay aloud can instantly uncover passages that sound clumsy, long-winded, or false.

Don’t Repeat

If you’ve mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don’t repeat it again in your essay.

Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.

Also, be sure you’ve answered whatever question or prompt may have been posed to you at the outset.

Ask Others to Read Your Essay

Be sure the people you ask to read your essay represent different demographic groups—a teacher, a parent, even a younger sister or brother.

Ask each reader what they took from the essay and listen closely to what they have to say. If anyone expresses confusion, revise until the confusion is cleared up.

Pay Attention to Form

Although there are often no strict word limits for college essays, most essays are shorter rather than longer. Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words.

“While we won’t as a rule stop reading after 650 words, we cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention for as long as you’d hoped it would,” the Common App website states.

In reviewing other technical aspects of your essay, be sure that the font is readable, that the margins are properly spaced, that any dialogue is set off properly, and that there is enough spacing at the top. Your essay should look clean and inviting to readers.

End Your Essay With a “Kicker”

In journalism, a kicker is the last punchy line, paragraph, or section that brings everything together.

It provides a lasting impression that leaves the reader satisfied and impressed by the points you have artfully woven throughout your piece.

So, here’s our kicker: Be concise and coherent, engage in honest self-reflection, and include vivid details and anecdotes that deftly illustrate your point.

While writing a fantastic essay may not guarantee you get selected, it can tip the balance in your favor if admissions officers are considering a candidate with a similar GPA and background.

Write, revise, revise again, and good luck!

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About the Author

Pamela Reynolds is a Boston-area feature writer and editor whose work appears in numerous publications. She is the author of “Revamp: A Memoir of Travel and Obsessive Renovation.”

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9 tips for How to Write a College Essay That Stands Out

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Are you wondering how you’ll manage to write a college essay that stands out from all the other admissions essays? How do you even start writing a standout college essay?

If you’re a high school senior staring at a list of prompts, facing the daunting task of writing an outstanding college essay, you might not know where to start.

After all, the college essay isn’t just another homework assignment. Your personal statement essay is a critical part of your college application.

Writing an impactful college essay is more than just a formality; it’s your opportunity to show colleges who you are beyond your academic achievements and test scores.

So how do you ensure that your essay captures the attention of admissions officers and leaves a lasting impression?

After all, admissions officers read so many college essays that they start to run together pretty quickly.

This guide provides straightforward advice on crafting an essay that stands out from the crowd and makes a strong impression.

These essential tips will ensure your essay highlights your unique character and perspectives.

With these pointers, you can tell your story in a way that resonates with admissions committees and helps them see you an an invaluable addition to their campus.

Whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning your final draft, this post will help you craft a college admissions essay that stands out from the rest.

How to Write a College Essay that Stands Out

Here are nine clever college essay tips that will make your personal statement pop!

1. Start with a catchy opening

First, from the list of college essay prompts, choose a topic that has a personal meaning for you. An experience, a hobby, or a favorite thing could each be an excellent college admission essay topic.

The best way to grab the readers’ attention right from the start is by opening with an engaging hook. There’s no need to restate the prompt—just jump right into your story. 

Start with a bold statement:

  • A strong first sentence will pique the reader’s interest immediately. This will set the tone for your essay.
  • Use an anecdote :
  • A brief (relevant) story from your life can be a powerful way to draw readers in.

Pose a thought-provoking question:

  • Choose a question that reflects the central theme or dilemma of your essay to get the reader thinking.

Introduce a paradox:

  • Present the reader with a contradiction to set the stage for your personal experiences.

Jump into the action :

  • Starting your story in the middle of a pivotal moment can be a dynamic way to begin your essay.

The opening of your essay is your first opportunity to make an impression on the college admissions officers . The opening sentence should not only hook the reader but also introduce the main theme of your essay in a compelling way.

Whichever approach you choose, ensure the beginning sentence of your personal essay aligns with your essay’s overall tone and message, and most importantly, that it feels authentic to you.

If you’re having trouble crafting a strong hook, that’s okay. Write a draft of your essay and come back to revise the hook. A great introduction and first paragraph will grab the reader’s attention and help your college essay stand out from all the others!

how to make an essay stand out

2. Appeal to all five senses

Make your college essay stand out by using vivid descriptions and specific details about smells, sounds, textures, and tastes in your essay.

Appealing to the senses in writing is a powerful technique to create vivid and immersive experiences for the reader.

This approach, known as sensory detail or imagery, involves using descriptive language to evoke the five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

Here’s how you can effectively incorporate each of these senses into your writing:

  • Use descriptive language to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.
  • Describe colors, shapes, sizes, and contrasts.
  • Include details about lighting, movements, or visual patterns.
  • Include sounds to add dimension to the setting or action.
  • Describe the volume, pitch, and tone of sounds.
  • Use onomatopoeia (words that imitate sounds) for effect.
  • Describe scents and aromas to evoke memories or emotions.
  • Be specific about the source and quality of the smell.
  • Describe flavors and the experience of tasting.
  • Use adjectives to convey the quality of the taste (e.g., sweet, bitter, savory).
  • Describe the texture and physical sensations.
  • Include temperature, shape, and the sensation of touch.

Internal Sensations :

  • Sometimes, writers also describe internal sensations like hunger, pain, or fatigue to evoke a physical response.

If you can make the reader feel, smell, or imagine what you’re writing about, you’ll have successfully written a compelling essay.

How to Choose a Unique College Essay Topic

3. Pace yourself

Pacing is a crucial element in storytelling, as it controls the rhythm and flow of the narrative, keeping readers engaged and eager to see what happens next.

Help the reader feel like they are in your story, waiting to find out what happens next. 

To write a college essay that stands out, make the reader feel invested in your story, so they are really curious about what will happen and they are rooting for you.

Here are some strategies to effectively pace your story:

Vary Sentence Structure and Paragraph Length :

  • Use a mix of short, punchy sentences and longer, more descriptive ones.
  • Short sentences can increase tension and pace, while longer ones can provide necessary details and background.

Control Information Release :

  • Don’t reveal everything at once. Dole out information gradually to keep readers curious.

Balance Action with Reflection :

  • While action scenes can quicken the pace and add excitement, moments of introspection are essential part of the best college essays.

Create Tension :

  • Conflict is the driving force of a good story.
  • Introduce one or more different types of conflicts (internal, external, interpersonal) to tell your story.

A well-paced college essay includes fluctuations in intensity and tempo, that align with the story of your personal growth.

4. Reference, but don’t restate

Remember, your admissions officer already knows about your high school grades, clubs, volunteer activities, sports, and musical talents.

So if you mention any extracurricular activities or your GPA in your college essay, be sure it’s particularly relevant to the story you’re telling.  

For example, it’s fine to note that the story you’re telling happened when you were volunteering at the animal shelter. It’s not okay to tell the reader (again) that you have volunteered there six hours a week for the past three years. 

You want to provide a glimpse into your achievements and experiences without merely repeating what’s already listed in your resume or letters of recommendation.

The best essays highlight unique qualities, deeper themes, and personal insight that aren’t mentioned in another part of your application.

Focus on Experiences, Not Titles :

  • Rather than listing accomplishments or positions, delve into specific experiences and what they taught you.
  • Describe a particular event, project, or challenge and reflect on its impact on your personal growth.

Use Stories to Illustrate Your Point :

  • Narrate a story that highlights an achievement or skill.
  • Stories are more engaging and memorable than mere lists of accomplishments.

Reflect on Your Achievements :

  • Instead of just stating what you’ve done, discuss what you’ve learned from these experiences and how they’ve shaped your perspective, values, or goals.

Highlight Skills and Qualities :

  • Use examples from your resume to demonstrate key qualities like leadership, teamwork, resilience, intellectual curiosity, or creativity.
  • Show how these experiences have helped you develop these qualities.

Be Selective :

  • Choose one or two significant achievements or experiences from your resume to discuss in your essay. Good college essays are concise and impactful.

Connect to Your Future Goals :

  • Explain how your past experiences have prepared you for your future ambitions.
  • Talking about your goals for later success can help admissions officers see the continuity and progression in your academic and career trajectory.

A great college essay provides insight into who you are and what matters to you. It shouldn’t be just another list of your accomplishments already covered in other areas of the admissions process.

how to make an essay stand out

5. Details for the win

Little details about you—your life, your feelings, your surroundings, your experiences—are what will make your college essay memorable. 

Specific details transform your essay from a generic narrative into a vivid, personal story that truly engages the admissions committee.

It’s a good idea to use details in your college application essays because they:

Create a Vivid Picture :

  • Specific details help paint a clear and vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Instead of saying “I like science,” you could say, “I spent countless nights under the stars with my telescope, marveling at the mysteries of the Orion Nebula.”
  • This level of detail helps the reader visualize and understand your experiences more deeply.

Demonstrate Authenticity :

  • Details provide authenticity to your story.
  • When you share specific moments, feelings, or thoughts, your essay becomes more believable and genuine.
  • This helps build trust with your reader and makes your narrative more compelling.

Engage the Reader’s Emotions :

  • A well-chosen detail can evoke emotions, making your essay more engaging and memorable.
  • By describing how you felt during a significant moment or what exactly motivated you, you allow the reader to connect emotionally with your story.

Facilitate Personal Reflection :

  • By reflecting on the details of your experiences, you can better articulate your learning and growth.
  • This introspection can reveal deeper insights about your character and aspirations to the admissions committee.

In conclusion, the inclusion of specific, relevant details is a critical element in crafting a compelling and effective college essay.

These details bring your story to life, making it not just a narrative about events, but a reflection of your identity, journey, and potential.

6. Show, don’t tell

Colleges want to know that you have amazing personal traits that will make you a valuable, involved, engaged member of the campus community.

Your essay should demonstrate that you have the character traits the college is looking for.

Demonstrating these traits is not just about listing your qualities, but about showing them through your experiences, reflections, and the way you tell your story.

Fill your essays with details and examples that show the admissions counselor you are resourceful, resilient, positive, optimistic, curious, engaged, and empathetic, rather than outright claiming to be those things. 

Here are strategies for effectively demonstrating your character traits in your college essay:

Use Specific Anecdotes :

  • Choose anecdotes from your life that clearly illustrate the character traits you want to highlight.
  • For instance, if you want to show your leadership skills, describe a specific situation where you took charge, organized a team, or overcame a challenge.

Show Growth and Self-Reflection :

  • Colleges look for students who are self-aware and capable of growth.
  • Discuss a challenge you faced or a mistake you made, and then reflect on what you learned from that experience and how it shaped your character.

Discuss Your Passions and Interests :

  • Often, your hobbies, interests, and passions can reflect your character traits.
  • For instance, dedication to a sport or art can demonstrate discipline, while volunteer work can showcase empathy and community spirit.

Highlight Resilience and Adaptability :

  • Share experiences that show how you’ve adapted to changes or bounced back from failures.
  • Resilience is a highly valued trait, as it demonstrates your ability to handle challenges.

End with Reflection :

  • Conclude your essay by reflecting on how your experiences and traits have prepared you for college and your future goals.
  • This not only reinforces the traits you’ve discussed but also shows your forward-thinking mindset.

Providing concrete examples and personal stories that bring your character traits to life will make your essay both authentic and compelling.

7. Be yourself

The most memorable essays are those that are authentic and honest.

Admission officers are skilled at detecting insincerity. Share your true thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Here are some tips on how to infuse your entire essay with authenticity and personal flair:

Reflect on Your Unique Experiences :

  • Think about the experiences that have shaped you.
  • What moments in your life have been pivotal?
  • What is your unique take on the world?
  • How do you see things differently?
  • Reflecting on these will help you find a story that is uniquely yours.

Write in Your Voice :

  • Your essay should sound like you.
  • Avoid overly formal language if that’s not how you naturally write or speak.
  • Don’t try to use fancy vocabulary words or stiff academic transitions. 
  • Use a tone and vocabulary that are comfortable and natural for you.

Be Honest :

  • Don’t exaggerate or lie about experiences to make your essay more impressive. Admissions officers value sincerity.
  • Write about your real experiences and genuine interests.

Share Your Passions and Interests :

  • What excites you?
  • What do you spend your free time doing?
  • Sharing these aspects of your life can help admissions officers get a better sense of who you are.

Discuss Your Learning and Growth :

  • Talk about how you’ve grown from your experiences.
  • Colleges aren’t just looking for accomplished students; they’re looking for individuals who are self-aware and capable of learning and evolving.

Seek Feedback, but Stay True to Your Story :

  • While it’s beneficial to get feedback from teachers, counselors, or peers, ensure the final essay stays true to your authentic voice.
  • Don’t let others’ suggestions overshadow your personal expression.

Avoid Trying to Impress at All Costs :

  • Don’t focus solely on what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.
  • Your authenticity is more appealing than a manufactured attempt to impress.

Remember, the goal of the college essay is to give admissions officers a glimpse of who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Your unique perspective, voice, and experiences are what will make your essay stand out.

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

8. Avoid clichés

Is it cliché to even say that?

Avoiding clichés in a college essay is important to ensure your essay is fresh, original, and genuinely reflective of who you are. However, using clichés is a common mistake.

Here are some strategies to help you steer clear of clichés and write an impactful essay:

Identify Common Clichés :

  • Familiarize yourself with frequently used clichés in college essays.
  • These often include overused themes like “the big game,” “community service trip to a foreign country,” or “overcoming a sports injury.”

Choose Unique Experiences :

  • Focus on experiences that are unique to you.
  • Even if the overall theme (like community service) might be common, your personal take or a specific aspect of it can be unique.

Reflect Deeply :

  • Go beyond surface-level observations.
  • Deep reflection on your experiences can unearth original insights or perspectives that steer clear of clichés.

Use Specific, Personal Details :

  • Generic descriptions lead to clichés.
  • Instead, use details that are unique to your specific experience. This makes your essay more authentic and engaging.

Avoid Overused Quotes and Phrases :

  • Starting your essay with a quote from Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., or similar figures is a common trope.
  • Express the idea in your own words instead.

Seek Constructive Feedback :

  • Have your English teacher or someone else read your essay to point out any clichés you might have missed.
  • Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to catch overused expressions or ideas.

Embrace Vulnerability :

  • Writing about your uncertainties, fears, and questions can often be more powerful than presenting only your achievements or a lesson learned.

Remember, clichés often stem from trying to say what you think others want to hear or relying on overused ideas.

By focusing on your genuine thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and presenting them in a fresh way, you can effectively avoid clichés in your college essay.

9. Keep a list of Potential Supplemental Essay topics

Many selective colleges require supplemental essays often ask specific questions that require thoughtful responses.

Coming up with ideas for supplemental essays in college applications can sometimes be more challenging than writing the main essay.

However, ideas that didn’t quite make the cut for your main college essay might turn out to be just right for a supplementary essay. 

Here are some ways to write outstanding supplemental essays:

Brainstorm Around the Prompt :

  • For each supplemental essay prompt, spend some time brainstorming.
  • Write down any and all ideas that come to mind, no matter how trivial they might seem initially.
  • This process can help you uncover unique angles to approach the prompt.

Use Different Aspects of Your Identity :

  • Consider aspects of your identity like your background, interests, hobbies, and aspirations that aren’t covered by your personal statement or Common App essay.

Reflect on Your Life Experiences :

  • Think about moments in your life that have shaped who you are.
  • These could be major life events, small but significant moments, or unique family, cultural, or community experiences.

Connect Your Interests to the College :

  • Many supplements ask why you are interested in a particular college or program.
  • Research the school thoroughly and think about how its specific resources, programs, clubs, or academic philosophy align with your interests and goals.
  • Avoid generic responses.

Revisit Past Essays and Projects :

  • Sometimes, your previous work can inspire new ideas. Look through old essays, projects, or journal entries for themes or stories you might expand on.

Talk to Family and Friends :

  • Sometimes those close to us can offer insights into what makes us unique.
  • Friends and family members might recall stories or characteristics that you haven’t considered.

Explore Your Future Goals :

  • Think about what you want to achieve in the future – both at college and beyond.
  • How do your aspirations tie into the prompt?

Consider Your Challenges and How You’ve Overcome Them :

  • Reflect on obstacles you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from them.

Look for Patterns in Your Activities and Interests :

  • Examine your extracurricular activities, hobbies, and volunteer experiences. Is there a common thread that ties them together?

High school seniors can feel completely overwhelmed the first time they realize how many types of essays they have to write as part of the college application process. So keeping a running list of potential main ideas for essays can really help.

Remember, the key to a successful supplemental essay is to provide new insights about yourself, not just restate what’s already in your application.

Each essay should add another dimension to your overall profile, helping admissions officers see the full picture of who you are and what you could offer as a college student at their campus.

Final thoughts on writing a college essay that stands out

In summary, writing a standout college essay boils down to being clear, authentic, and thoughtful as college applicants tell their own story.

While senior year can be extremely busy, and the writing process can be tedious, once you start writing the first draft of your Common Application Essay, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a memorable college essay!

In exploring various college essay topics, remember that a well-written essay can be approached in different ways. This is your unique opportunity to distill the essence of your high school years into a narrative that resonates with the college community.

Your essay should reflect your individuality and give insight into your character, beyond what grades, test scores, and the rest of your application can convey.

Focus on telling your story in a genuine way, using your own voice.

Catching and holding the reader’s attention are key to writing a college essay that stands out. Use detailed descriptions to tell a story that will engage the reader.

Remember to let your personality shine through while carefully avoiding any cliches.

Be sure to organize your thoughts coherently, and don’t shy away from showcasing your personal growth or lessons learned.

Remember to proofread and revise; a well-polished essay speaks volumes about your attention to detail. Writing a college essay that stands out will require a lot of revision and reflection, so allow time for the editing.

Ultimately, your goal is for your personal statement essay to give the admissions committee a compelling reason to see you as a valuable addition to their student body.

Keep your college admissions essay straightforward, honest, and reflective of who you are, and you’ll be on the right path to creating a thoughtful essay that stands out from those of other applicants and resonates with college admissions committees.

And before you know it, you’ll be on your way from high school student to college student! Good luck!

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Graduate of Brown University, higher ed professional, and mom of three. Sharing everything I’ve learned about college with you.

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7 Ways to Make Your College Application Essay Stand Out

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There’s so much that goes into a college application, combining years of hard work that lead up to the final moment when you hit “send.”

Grades and test scores are important components, but numbers only tell a portion of your story. What colleges really want to know — and what sets you apart from the crowd of other applicants — is who you are and what makes you tick. Your best opportunity to go beyond the letters and numbers on your high school transcript is through the application essay , or personal statement, which is precisely that: your invitation t o let your personality shine. For admissions officers comparing students with similar scores and extracurricular activities, a compelling essay that brings an applicant to life can lift that student to the top of the pile. 

To make your college essay stand out, consider these expert tips.

1. Choose a Thoughtful Title

College essays are not typically required to have a title, but crafting one can be a powerful tool to make your essay stand out right away — which is why Benjamin Caldarelli, co-founder of Princeton College Consulting , recommends adding one. He says a strong, simple title is perfectly effective, though you may be able to make a positive impact with a well-chosen cultural reference. “Using a variation on the title of a well-known book or movie is an example,” he says. A winning title he saw recently was “Mindful Middle Class Indian.” It was a play on the popular book-turned-movie Crazy Rich Asians .

Even with a more straightforward title, Caldarelli says it’s important to pique the interest of the reader. Another effective title he noticed was “The Cheesecake.” It’s simple, relatable and leaves you to wonder what that dessert has to do with college. The essay turned out to be a creative and unusual approach the applicant used to demonstrate their perseverance by making a fancy, labor-intensive cake, and Caldarelli says the title was the perfect setup.

You need to start with the meaty part right off the bat. Phyllis Zimbler Miller

2. Jump Right In

Just as people often judge whether to read a book based on its first sentence or two, the college essay should waste no time in grabbing a reader’s attention. “Frequently, first paragraphs are weak, as if the writer is winding up to write the meaty part of the essay. You need to start with the meaty part right off the bat,” says Phyllis Zimbler Miller , author of How to Succeed in High School and Prep for College . Her recommendation? Write your first draft and then chop off the first paragraph to see how it reads. Chances are that’s a good place to start strong.

Lindsey Conger, an independent college counselor at MoonPrep.com , agrees that the first paragraph is crucial and suggests starting with an anecdote, particularly one in which you can draw the reader into the action. “I recommend that you throw your reader right into the middle of the story,” she says.  

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Humor

Moments of levity can be a welcome relief for admissions associates who are knee-deep in earnest essays. To pull them in, Brian Galvin, chief academic officer for Varsity Tutors , recommends using humor or a semi-sensational statement. His example of an intriguing line? “When I was three, I was abducted by aliens. My life has never been the same.” That’s an essay you want to continue reading, right? And a couple of lines is the perfect amount of humor — after all, your essay isn’t meant to be, and shouldn’t be, a standup routine. Instead, it is designed to present the fullest, truest and most compelling version of yourself. If you choose a humorous opening line, Galvin suggests transitioning into a particular passion or interest. This alien opener might “transition to a student’s deep interest in astrophysics or aerospace engineering,” he says.

4. Use Specific Examples

It can be tempting to use the essay to showcase all of your positive attributes, but remember, it shouldn’t feel like a résumé. For a successful college essay, keep your focus narrow and then use strong examples to illustrate your points. “Don’t just tell us that you are empathetic; tell us about a time you volunteered at a nursing home and spent hours talking with a particular resident. Tell us how you felt and the impact the conversation had on you and the resident. Those types of stories will stick out much more to the admission officer reading your essay,” advises Conger.

5. Channel Your Most Unusual Passions

Chances are, if you’ve chosen to write about something you’re genuinely passionate about, your excitement will shine through and will distinguish your essay from those that sound robotic. And the more unusual that interest is, the better — whether it’s skydiving or cosplay, think about the things you love that set you apart. 

To make a particular interest really stand out in the context of a college essay, discuss how it aligns with your educational objectives. You might explain what skills you’ve mastered from a hobby that will be meaningful in your future career, or perhaps point to a specific experience that highlights your individual growth and personal development.

6. Be Vulnerable and Authentic

If you want your college essay to leave an impression, don’t be afraid to open up and show genuine emotion. “Being very vulnerable and sharing a painful or intense experience honestly can make for compelling essay material,” says Galvin. Just be mindful of the fine line between sharing difficult experiences and painting yourself as a victim. “It’s OK to talk about the challenges you’ve faced in life, but if you do that, also talk about how you grew as a result and worked to overcome the challenge,” says Louise Grant, associate director of admissions for Husson University . 

You don’t need to have experienced personal tragedy to have material for a memorable college essay. Acknowledging a mistake you made and reflecting on it honestly and with maturity can display emotional depth and vulnerability too.

7. Draw Connections

It’s pretty easy to just talk about yourself, but to bring your essay to the next level, try to connect it to the world at large. “What often elevates an essay is that the writer is able to place their own story and insights in a larger historical, cultural, philosophical or intellectual context. Ask the question: What is an important and authentic context for my story? Whether it is an idea that frames the entire essay or just finds its way in through telling details, it often separates good from great,” says Caldarelli. In a well-known example , one student framed her essay within the context of shopping at Costco while deftly bringing in physics concepts and literary references and demonstrating her own personal growth.

These suggestions are your guide to writing a college essay that stands out — in a good way. Equally important is that your essay not stand out for the wrong reasons — because of poor grammar, careless typos, divisive or offensive statements or straying far from the topic or word count. To avoid these pitfalls, be sure to proofread your essay several times and then have it reviewed by an extra set of eyes (or two) before hitting send. 

Following the above do’s — and don’ts — will help you compose an essay that communicates the best of you, guaranteeing that it will be compelling and utterly original. 

Interviews for this article were conducted in 2019.

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How to Write a College Essay | A Complete Guide & Examples

The college essay can make or break your application. It’s your chance to provide personal context, communicate your values and qualities, and set yourself apart from other students.

A standout essay has a few key ingredients:

  • A unique, personal topic
  • A compelling, well-structured narrative
  • A clear, creative writing style
  • Evidence of self-reflection and insight

To achieve this, it’s crucial to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through every step in the process of writing a college admissions essay.

Table of contents

Why do you need a standout essay, start organizing early, choose a unique topic, outline your essay, start with a memorable introduction, write like an artist, craft a strong conclusion, revise and receive feedback, frequently asked questions.

While most of your application lists your academic achievements, your college admissions essay is your opportunity to share who you are and why you’d be a good addition to the university.

Your college admissions essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s total weight一and may account for even more with some colleges making the SAT and ACT tests optional. The college admissions essay may be the deciding factor in your application, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

Admissions officers want to understand your background, personality, and values to get a fuller picture of you beyond your test scores and grades. Here’s what colleges look for in an essay :

  • Demonstrated values and qualities
  • Vulnerability and authenticity
  • Self-reflection and insight
  • Creative, clear, and concise writing skills

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It’s a good idea to start organizing your college application timeline in the summer of your junior year to make your application process easier. This will give you ample time for essay brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

While timelines will vary for each student, aim to spend at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing your first draft and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Remember to leave enough time for breaks in between each writing and editing stage.

Create an essay tracker sheet

If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will have to juggle writing several essays for each one. We recommend using an essay tracker spreadsheet to help you visualize and organize the following:

  • Deadlines and number of essays needed
  • Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts

You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template.

College essay tracker template

Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic.

If you want to write about a common essay topic, such as a sports injury or volunteer work overseas, think carefully about how you can make it unique and personal. You’ll need to demonstrate deep insight and write your story in an original way to differentiate it from similar essays.

What makes a good topic?

  • Meaningful and personal to you
  • Uncommon or has an unusual angle
  • Reveals something different from the rest of your application

Brainstorming questions

You should do a comprehensive brainstorm before choosing your topic. Here are a few questions to get started:

  • What are your top five values? What lived experiences demonstrate these values?
  • What adjectives would your friends and family use to describe you?
  • What challenges or failures have you faced and overcome? What lessons did you learn from them?
  • What makes you different from your classmates?
  • What are some objects that represent your identity, your community, your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
  • Whom do you admire most? Why?
  • What three people have significantly impacted your life? How did they influence you?

How to identify your topic

Here are two strategies for identifying a topic that demonstrates your values:

  • Start with your qualities : First, identify positive qualities about yourself; then, brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities.
  • Start with a story : Brainstorm a list of memorable life moments; then, identify a value shown in each story.

After choosing your topic, organize your ideas in an essay outline , which will help keep you focused while writing. Unlike a five-paragraph academic essay, there’s no set structure for a college admissions essay. You can take a more creative approach, using storytelling techniques to shape your essay.

Two common approaches are to structure your essay as a series of vignettes or as a single narrative.

Vignettes structure

The vignette, or montage, structure weaves together several stories united by a common theme. Each story should demonstrate one of your values or qualities and conclude with an insight or future outlook.

This structure gives the admissions officer glimpses into your personality, background, and identity, and shows how your qualities appear in different areas of your life.

Topic: Museum with a “five senses” exhibit of my experiences

  • Introduction: Tour guide introduces my museum and my “Making Sense of My Heritage” exhibit
  • Story: Racial discrimination with my eyes
  • Lesson: Using my writing to document truth
  • Story: Broadway musical interests
  • Lesson: Finding my voice
  • Story: Smells from family dinner table
  • Lesson: Appreciating home and family
  • Story: Washing dishes
  • Lesson: Finding moments of peace in busy schedule
  • Story: Biking with Ava
  • Lesson: Finding pleasure in job well done
  • Conclusion: Tour guide concludes tour, invites guest to come back for “fall College Collection,” featuring my search for identity and learning.

Single story structure

The single story, or narrative, structure uses a chronological narrative to show a student’s character development over time. Some narrative essays detail moments in a relatively brief event, while others narrate a longer journey spanning months or years.

Single story essays are effective if you have overcome a significant challenge or want to demonstrate personal development.

Topic: Sports injury helps me learn to be a better student and person

  • Situation: Football injury
  • Challenge: Friends distant, teachers don’t know how to help, football is gone for me
  • Turning point: Starting to like learning in Ms. Brady’s history class; meeting Christina and her friends
  • My reactions: Reading poetry; finding shared interest in poetry with Christina; spending more time studying and with people different from me
  • Insight: They taught me compassion and opened my eyes to a different lifestyle; even though I still can’t play football, I’m starting a new game

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your essay’s structure, try to craft a surprising story arc or original insights, especially if you’re writing about a common topic.

Never exaggerate or fabricate facts about yourself to seem interesting. However, try finding connections in your life that deviate from cliché storylines and lessons.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they typically spend only a few minutes reading each one. To get your message across, your introduction , or hook, needs to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more..

Avoid starting your introduction with a famous quote, cliché, or reference to the essay itself (“While I sat down to write this essay…”).

While you can sometimes use dialogue or a meaningful quotation from a close family member or friend, make sure it encapsulates your essay’s overall theme.

Find an original, creative way of starting your essay using the following two methods.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

Begin your essay with an unexpected statement to pique the reader’s curiosity and compel them to carefully read your essay. A mysterious introduction disarms the reader’s expectations and introduces questions that can only be answered by reading more.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Illustrate a clear, detailed image to immediately transport your reader into your memory. You can start in the middle of an important scene or describe an object that conveys your essay’s theme.

A college application essay allows you to be creative in your style and tone. As you draft your essay, try to use interesting language to enliven your story and stand out .

Show, don’t tell

“Tell” in writing means to simply state a fact: “I am a basketball player.” “ Show ” in writing means to use details, examples, and vivid imagery to help the reader easily visualize your memory: “My heart races as I set up to shoot一two seconds, one second一and score a three-pointer!”

First, reflect on every detail of a specific image or scene to recall the most memorable aspects.

  • What are the most prominent images?
  • Are there any particular sounds, smells, or tastes associated with this memory?
  • What emotion or physical feeling did you have at that time?

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

You don’t have to share a huge secret or traumatic story, but you should dig deep to express your honest feelings, thoughts, and experiences to evoke an emotional response. Showing vulnerability demonstrates humility and maturity. However, don’t exaggerate to gain sympathy.

Use appropriate style and tone

Make sure your essay has the right style and tone by following these guidelines:

  • Use a conversational yet respectful tone: less formal than academic writing, but more formal than texting your friends.
  • Prioritize using “I” statements to highlight your perspective.
  • Write within your vocabulary range to maintain an authentic voice.
  • Write concisely, and use the active voice to keep a fast pace.
  • Follow grammar rules (unless you have valid stylistic reasons for breaking them).

You should end your college essay with a deep insight or creative ending to leave the reader with a strong final impression. Your college admissions essay should avoid the following:

  • Summarizing what you already wrote
  • Stating your hope of being accepted to the school
  • Mentioning character traits that should have been illustrated in the essay, such as “I’m a hard worker”

Here are two strategies to craft a strong conclusion.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

The full circle, or sandwich, structure concludes the essay with an image, idea, or story mentioned in the introduction. This strategy gives the reader a strong sense of closure.

In the example below, the essay concludes by returning to the “museum” metaphor that the writer opened with.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

You can use the conclusion to show the insight you gained as a result of the experiences you’ve described. Revealing your main message at the end creates suspense and keeps the takeaway at the forefront of your reader’s mind.

Revise your essay before submitting it to check its content, style, and grammar. Get feedback from no more than two or three people.

It’s normal to go through several rounds of revision, but take breaks between each editing stage.

Also check out our college essay examples to see what does and doesn’t work in an essay and the kinds of changes you can make to improve yours.

Respect the word count

Most schools specify a word count for each essay , and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit.

Remain under the specified word count limit to show you can write concisely and follow directions. However, don’t write too little, which may imply that you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Check your content, style, and grammar

  • First, check big-picture issues of message, flow, and clarity.
  • Then, check for style and tone issues.
  • Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Get feedback

Get feedback from 2–3 people who know you well, have good writing skills, and are familiar with college essays.

  • Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your content, language, and tone.
  • Friends and family can check for authenticity.
  • An essay coach or editor has specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and can give objective expert feedback.

The checklist below helps you make sure your essay ticks all the boxes.

College admissions essay checklist

I’ve organized my essay prompts and created an essay writing schedule.

I’ve done a comprehensive brainstorm for essay topics.

I’ve selected a topic that’s meaningful to me and reveals something different from the rest of my application.

I’ve created an outline to guide my structure.

I’ve crafted an introduction containing vivid imagery or an intriguing hook that grabs the reader’s attention.

I’ve written my essay in a way that shows instead of telling.

I’ve shown positive traits and values in my essay.

I’ve demonstrated self-reflection and insight in my essay.

I’ve used appropriate style and tone .

I’ve concluded with an insight or a creative ending.

I’ve revised my essay , checking my overall message, flow, clarity, and grammar.

I’ve respected the word count , remaining within 10% of the upper word limit.

Congratulations!

It looks like your essay ticks all the boxes. A second pair of eyes can help you take it to the next level – Scribbr's essay coaches can help.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

  • A unique, personally meaningful topic
  • A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
  • Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
  • Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
  • Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
  • A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

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CollegeBasics

Seven Ways to Make your College Essay Stand Out

helpful-college-hints-tips

Because the college essay is not the same kind of essay that you write for your high school English teacher, it does not have to have the typical essay introduction which would usually provide a thesis statement. Most students are unaware of this fact. Just as you want to prepare the best answers to your college interview , here are seven tips for writing an engaging essay that will stand out from the rest!

1. Your first paragraph should grab the reader

The college essay has to grab the attention of an admission’s reader.  It is imperative, then, that the introduction to the college essay capture the reader’s attention and make the reader want to read more.

There are different ways to grab the reader.

  • Try starting with a question.
  • Begin with a bold statement.
  • Use an interesting quote.
  • Put the reader in medias res, that is, in the middle of things. Place the reader in the middle of something happening or in the middle of a conversation.
  • Challenge the reader by speaking directly to him/her.
  • Tell the reader what you do NOT want to do in your writing.
  • Sometimes even a single word that stands as a paragraph can make the reader wonder and read on.

2. Be a real person, not an anonymous author

Do not be just another of thousands of applicants that do not make an impression. If you are reading a newspaper article, the writer fades behind the facts and you know nothing about the writer except that s/he can collect, organize, and present the facts that you need to now. You want the admissions reader to say, “Ah, this is a real person writing to me.

That means you should write with voice, that is, you need to write with your own personality. Honesty, humor, talking the way you talk, showing the way you think, all help to create voice.

3. Don’t be boring

Trying to be proper or trying to impress or trying to be intellectual can be a drag. What you should be are doing is getting noticed as unique. It’s like you are on a date with the admissions reader and you want to be asked out again.

If you are on a date, you would naturally want to be smart, funny, nice, caring, unique, not boring. You also want to have an opinion, not step back like an unthinking geek. Write your essay as though you would be a great second date.

4. Make your essay correct and beautiful

Dates should look good, too. You can make your essay beautiful by giving thought to a few things. Use a font that is readable. Consider whether or not a bold typeface could make your essay easier to read. Don’t crowd your essay near the top of the page, but balance it on the page and attend to soothing margins. Provide the essay prompt at the opening. Separate paragraphs in a consistent way, either by indenting each paragraph or by using block style, keeping all the words to the left margin but spacing extra between paragraphs.

If there are a lot of mistakes in your essay, it can not be pretty. Make sure you have spelled everything correctly. Make sure your basic punctuation is correct.

Did you separate dialogue correctly from the rest of your text? Did you use capitalization correctly? Check out our article on the most common mistakes in college essays for more tips to ensure your essay reads well.

5. Approach the essay from a different angle

If you look at things a little differently from others you stand out. In answering an essay prompt, you need not always do it the most normal way.

  • What if you were to take the negative approach to answer the prompt? What are your hopes? Maybe you can tell what your hopes are by writing what you do not hope for.
  • Perhaps you can create a little mystery by not answering the prompt immediately. What do you want to study? Maybe you could reveal that in the last sentence of your prompt after telling about all the little things that have some relevance to your area of study. For example, you might describe much natural flora, observe fauna, then list feelings you have about nature to lead up to writing that you want to study biology.
  • You might even bury your answer to a prompt in a story or in a moral tale or even in a description.

6. Be clear and logical

As much as you wish to shine, the shine will be lost if your sentences and thoughts do not string together logically. You must make sense to the reader.

Reread your essay as though you have no idea what the writer is talking about. Does it make sense? Are there transitions between different sections of the essay? Is the essay organized? Have you started at the beginning? Have you provided an ending? Have you given enough background information?

It is a good idea to make sure different audiences understand what you have tried to write. Test your essay with a friend, a teacher, a parent, even a younger reader. Ask them not to judge but simply read to see if they know what you are saying. “Tell me,” say to them, “exactly what you got from this.” If there is confusion, fix it.

7. Leave your reader with a lasting impression

People remember the last things first or, at least, best. As Alan Alda said in a commencement address he delivered to his daughter’s graduating college class, the most important things are said on the way out the door. His last words in that speech were, “I love you.”

In the same way, you should end your college essay with something that not only summarizes the most important aspects of you but that is also memorable. Memorable endings are poignant, making the reader feel an emotion. Or, they capture a several-line conclusion in one pithy, well-worded phrase or sentence. Or, maybe they end with a simple, clean truth written from the heart.

Final Tips! If you are having trouble getting started on your essay, you might want to check out Academichelp.net where they provide sample essays and free writing guides or check out The Essay Guy for more great essay writing tips. Lastly, if English is not your first language, you might want to look for some tips on how to improve your English writing skills to make sure you can be clear and concise with your writing.  Good Luck!

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5 Ways to Make Your Scholarship Essay Stand Out

When writing a scholarship essay, follow these tips to win the most money for college.

Make Your Scholarship Essay Stand Out

Writing a scholarship essay isn't like writing an essay for a high school class, experts warn.

Young girl working from her home office

Getty Images

Students hoping to earn scholarships, a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid, often must compete with hundreds of other applicants and sometimes for a very limited number of awards.

Free financial aid plays a significant role in helping students in the U.S. pay for college. According to the 2019 How America Pays for College report from Sallie Mae, 31% of college costs in 2018-2019 were paid for with money that does not need to be repaid; three-fifths of that were scholarships and two-fifths were grants.

To get the most of this highly desirable aid, students can take advantage of a few expert-recommended strategies to make their application stand out. Below are a few tips for writing scholarship essays that pack a punch.

Get Personal and Be Specific

The key to a successful scholarship essay is making it personal, experts say, and including impactful details. An essay that feels genuine and offers insights into who the applicant is on a deeper level will stand out in a crowd of academic essays that may be boring for readers who review hundreds and sometimes thousands of applications.

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Scholarships awarded by the Pride Foundation, for example, require an application that involves multiple essays in which students are asked to describe themselves, what they plan to study and the kinds of work they hope to do. The social justice-focused philanthropic foundation aims to support the LGBTQ community in the Northwest region and awards more than 60 scholarships for any accredited postsecondary school or program, according to its website.

College scholarships had an average award amount of about $5,000 to $8,000 last year, says Katelen Kellogg, the foundation's communications and outreach manager. She says the scholarships are for LGBTQ or strongly LGBTQ-allied students who are residents of the Pacific Northwest.

Kellogg, who helps read essays from applicants each year, says the scholarship essays that stand out to her include "details that paint the picture of their lives." She says the most successful essays are "less about something you do and more about who you are as a person."

Eden Shore, a volunteer manager at the Pride Foundation who also has experience reading hundreds of scholarship essays, says the writing process should be meaningful for students – and that comes across in the essay.

"Your essay can be an opportunity for you to make sense of something yourself," Shore says. "Illustrate you can thoughtfully reflect."

Tell a Story

A standout essay hooks the reader from the first sentence, says Monica Matthews, author of the scholarship guide, "How to Win College Scholarships."

Think about the structure of the essay, and how the reader can be drawn in by it, experts say. The story should feel real and true to the student's life.

"Students need to begin with a hook and share personal and tangible details about their life," Matthews wrote in an email. "Simply stating that they have helped others, for example, does not let the judges see the kind of person that they really are. Writing about specific experiences with real-life situations using interesting details makes compelling and memorable essays."

Tailor the Scholarship Essay to the Prompt

In some cases, it may be acceptable and even smart to repurpose an essay the student has already written and use it for another application. But experts say students should exercise caution.

"Many times, students try to re-purpose essays from the admissions process for scholarship essays, and the result ends up being so-so," Colleen Paparella Ganjian, an independent educational consultant and founder of DC College Counseling in Virginia, wrote in an email.

Instead, essays should be on topic and specific to the unique question being asked and the organization to which students are applying.

A typical scholarship essay topic will likely ask students about their career goals and their plan to achieve those goals, Matthews says. Other essay prompts might ask students what they've done to make their community a better place or to describe a personal achievement and how they overcame challenges to reach it.

Don't Tailor Yourself to the Reader

Students often feel they need to project a certain image or side of themselves in scholarship applications and essays. This isn't always necessary.

"The only person an applicant has to be is themselves," Shore says of applicants to the Pride Foundation Scholarship.

The trap of tailoring themselves can be particularly tempting for students who are nontraditional or have an international background, says Mandee Heller Adler, founder and president of International College Counselors based in Florida.

"Don't shy away from talking about your culture, traditions, and experiences. If you're an international applicant , a minority, or non-traditional student, don't try to 'Americanize' or 'mainstream' your application," Heller Adler wrote in an email. "Scholarship committees like diversity, and the goal is to stand out and not appear to be like all the other applicants. Don't be afraid to expand on details about your culture that are meaningful to you and essential to understanding who you are."

Follow Directions

The greatest frustration in reading scholarship application essays, Shore says, is when students fail to follow directions. This means taking note of any formatting specifications, length restrictions and answering the question posed.

"Make sure you're answering the question that has been asked and stay within the word limit you're given," Shore says. "Longer doesn't necessarily mean better. If students are bored by the essay they write, the reader will be too."

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  • College Admissions
  • How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out

How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out: Essential Tips

Your Personal Statement for the Common Application—the classic “college essay” that you’ve been hearing about since freshmen year—is the biggest piece of individual storytelling in the college application process, and it has only continued to grow in importance for college admissions officers. Now, with the number of applications to top US colleges surging higher , writing an essay that distinguishes you from the pack has become tougher than ever.

The challenge of the college essay might seem straightforward: 650 words about what makes you… well, you. If you’ve looked over the Common App Personal Statement prompts , you’ve noticed that they aren’t too intimidating. Maybe you even started writing a response to one for your English teacher, and hey, it went fine!

That’s all well and good, but anyone who takes the assignment lightly is dooming their application for failure. Because the truth is, despite the neat prompts and hundreds of models and outlines, there is no one formula for the perfect personal statement . 

Snatching an outline from the internet or reading over dozens of college essay examples from former admits are habits that will hurt your process, rather than help it. When you’re overloaded with information, it’s easy to end up in a state of analysis paralysis. This can make you hypercritical of your own stories and experiences, even though they are authentic to who you are. It can also lead to procrastination and imposter syndrome.

So before you go back over that draft you scribbled out in class months ago, or gobble up every daring college essay you can find on the web, take a moment to reimagine the challenge of the piece. Then, use our essential tips below to make your college essay stand out from the crowd—not through clever wordplay, name dropping, or mimicking examples found online, but by tapping into your own motivations, staying rooted in your own story, and launching into writing confidently.

Start with you, not the essay prompt

Writing about yourself is hard. Writing about yourself in the context of a high-stakes application can be excruciating.

Many of us would prefer to write about anything other than ourselves. That’s why so many college essays become stories about inspiring figures: grandparents, teachers, Elon Musk. But none of these people are the person who the essay should be about, so these essays fall flat.

When you start your college essay with the belief that you must write for a prompt, you’ve already constrained your opportunities. You will make artificial rules out of your interpretation of the prompt, then second-guess your most original ideas. You’ll write for your audience rather than for yourself. And this is one of the worst traps you can fall into.

That’s why, when brainstorming your college essay, you should resist the urge to look at prompts, read examples, or borrow templates.

Instead, focus only on yourself. 

What do you most love to do in your free time? What behaviors do you detest? What small mistake have you never forgotten? What about yourself do you have trouble understanding or accepting?

You must get comfortable making everything about you in order to get to the heart of your personal story. These are examples of questions that can push your reflection in the right direction, but there are countless others. And the most effective way to approach such questions is through a conversation.

Rather than generate and respond to intense personal questions yourself, arrange to have a conversation about them with someone close to you. This person should be a trusted confidante you’ve known for years, but shouldn’t be a parent, sibling, or anyone bringing too much emotional baggage into the conversation. They could be a family friend, an aunt or uncle, a coach, teacher, mentor, or college counselor—but it’s best if they are not a peer.

Have an open conversation focused only on your own life stories, values, and motivations—and record it . Keep a record of every word you say in your discussion. Encourage the other person to dig deeper into topics they find intriguing or unclear, no matter how uncomfortable this might be for you. If you’re surprised by something they find fascinating, make a note of it.  

Reflecting on and listening over this conversation is the surest way to discover the memories and parts of your identity that matter most.

Establish a regular writing routine

As you move from generating ideas into drafting, you’re likely to encounter some roadblocks. Actually expressing the story that’s clear in your mind may turn out to be surprisingly frustrating. You may be unsatisfied with each attempt you make. You may hear extraordinary stories about exceptional people and doubt whether your idea is any good in the first place.

In order to make the writing process less daunting, focus on getting into the habit of simply putting words down on paper, instead of expecting yourself to produce brilliant content. The most important thing is that you do this every day for at least five days a week. Here are some keys for making this routine work:

  • Daily writing sessions can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as an hour. Give yourself a slight buffer to first think through what you want to write about, then a chunk of time to write, and a few more minutes at the end to consider what your next step will be.
  • Following from this, aim to finish each writing session when you still have more to say . Knowing what you want to say next doesn’t mean you need to put it down on paper immediately. In fact, it’s helpful to intentionally leave off your final paragraph. Write as the Japanese eat , until your page is 80% full of what you set out to say. That last paragraph will then become a starting point the next day, and you’ll have 24 hours to let your mind work on what comes next.
  • Schedule your writing sessions at the same time every day . For many, jamming in an evening time slot may seem more attractive than waking up early. But consider honestly when you are sharpest: many of us, even self-professed night owls, have our best focus and presence of mind in the morning.
  • Write the way you speak . If you’d like, you can even keep dictating your thoughts, rather than writing them. More on this later.
  • Write about anything : your pet, what you see out your window, even why you hate writing. You do not always need to continue where you left off the day before. What you produce on a given day doesn’t even need to correspond to the general topic or story you are developing. Remind yourself that the most important thing is the writing itself, and force yourself to do it anyway, even when it feels like pulling teeth. 
  • Do not worry about the quality of what you produce . No good comes from pondering every word or reengineering every phrase. The more you write, and the more often you write, the more the words should spill out naturally. Yes, you will need to do some serious editing at some point. But no one needs to know if your first drafts were flimsy.

Over time, a cycle of honest conversation and regular writing practice will produce results. Trust in this process and stick to your plan: you will likely end up with even more juicy content than you can possibly fit in your college essay—and this is great! You can often re-work stories and stances into your shorter, supplemental college essays, and almost always share them in interviews or networking conversations. The process itself will help you become a more compelling person overall.

Trust your instincts & keep it simple

Admissions officers are all too used to reading college essays written in a style or voice that seems forced. These essays are littered with complex clauses and semicolons. The words that fill them are unwieldy and questionably used. Metaphors, analogies, and grand claims abound.

These mistakes make sense: if personal creative writing doesn’t come naturally to you (as it doesn’t to most people), it’s understandable that you’d want to elevate your language. You are, after all, applying to selective colleges that expect whip-smart high school students.

But writing can be overdone. And overdoing your college essay is a pitfall you must avoid. 

As a student, you’re bombarded daily with writing: you may read snippets of a novel, a magazine, a history textbook, a philosophical discourse, and a chemistry paper—all on the same day. It’s all too easy to lose track of what you actually sound like amidst all those voices in all those texts.

And in the worst case scenario, this causes you to write like you’re thumbing through a thesaurus. Case in point: the compulsion to replace each usage of the word “use” with “utilize.”

To avoid this, whenever you are drafting, rely on your instincts. As the ideas pop into your mind, write them in the exact phrasing in which they appear . If you lose your train of thought, go back over the recording you made of your conversation, and listen again to what you said when you weren’t thinking about an essay . Perhaps you used slang, or a pet phrase; perhaps there was an unexpected moment of sarcasm, and you can tap back into that humorous state.

Most importantly, keep it simple . Remember that sentences do not need to be long in order to be engaging, and that a story is best presented plainly enough that it allows a reader to do some interpreting. If you attempt to explain every detail of your story, you will spend the entire essay explaining rather than actually telling the story itself. 

In order to preserve your natural voice and keep your writing simple and meaningful, get in the following habits:

  • When you start your writing session, spend 10 minutes thinking about what you’ll write, and do not read anything else . 
  • If you get stuck on writing, begin to speak your ideas freely and record them exactly as you speak them. Even if you spend an entire session speaking rather than writing, it is worthwhile.
  • Don’t go back over the sentence you just wrote . It isn’t perfect, and you know that. Forge ahead regardless. Return to tweak your phrasing only at the end of your writing session, and later, when you have reached the editing phase of your process.
  • Remember that this is not an academic essay . Don’t fall into the patterns that have served you well in English or History courses. Topic sentences are not summaries of entire paragraphs. Grammar does not need to be impeccable: the priority is the natural flow of the writing—how it sounds when read aloud—not the preciseness of each clause.

Remember that you are writing to a normal person

As you go through the intense process of assembling your application package, it can begin to feel that you are performing, to some extent, for an admissions committee shrouded in mystery. These admissions officers hold your fate in their hands, and given the acceptance rates at top colleges, it’s hard not to assume that they are cold-blooded critics looking for any excuse to kill your application in the water. Most students who make this assumption automatically go on the defensive, doing whatever they can to cover up potential red flags and appear flawless. 

And this approach does them no good.

No 17-year-old is perfect, and the admissions officer reading your application will be eminently aware of this. They are not looking for perfection, but for authenticity. They want to bring students to their university who could genuinely benefit from and contribute to the learning experience on campus. If you come across as someone who believes they’ve already mastered everything life can throw at them, will you sincerely challenge yourself and grow while in college? It’s doubtful.

Let the other parts of your application speak for themselves. Your goal in the college essay is not to impress an admissions committee, but to connect with them . This means you need to come across as a human. To do this, think of creating a casual encounter with the person reading your essay. Imagine that you are at a party, and you’re sharing a story with someone you just met. What does this mean?

  • Write as though you are speaking to a peer . Admissions officers are not predisposed to judge you; in fact, they are seeking to understand the person inside all the statistics and materials. They are smart and compassionate people looking for things to like about you. You don’t need to spell out basic facts or waste space drilling the same point home. Trust that they will be able to interpret your deeper themes because they sincerely want to learn more about you.
  • Don’t exaggerate or undersell . Both are important. You can immediately tell when someone you’ve met is bragging or being disingenuous. At the same time, you’re at your most engaging when you acknowledge your own talents and don’t shy away from sharing them. Try to present both your positive qualities and the skills you’re still working on as plainly as you can, without apologizing or aggrandizing. 
  • Avoid going into too much detail about your lowest low points . This may seem counterintuitive, given everything else we’ve written about being authentic with your story and style. And yes, there is huge value in being vulnerable—to an extent. But if you meet someone at a party, your scarring experiences with clinical depression or childhood trauma are probably not your best icebreaker. These may be important elements of your life, which you refer to when sharing what you care about. But in the end, your application reader is not a close friend or a trusted confidante. Don’t overwhelm them with darkness you’ve begun breaking through: focus on the progress you’ve made and how your past drives you forward.

Don’t have too many readers

It’s more likely than not that you have several people interested in reading your college essay and giving their opinion on it. When you do feel that you’ve fleshed out a story and you see its shape coming together, it is useful to seek some outside perspective. After all, admissions committees are made up of multiple personalities, all of which will contribute to the decision of whether to accept or deny your application. 

But be careful not to have more than two or three other people give you feedback on your personal statement. If you show it to your counselor, your teacher, your soccer coach, your piano instructor, your mom, your aunt, and your cousin… you are going to be overwhelmed by competing opinions, each with their own biases.

If you’re not working closely with a consultant or counselor, the first person to read your college essay should be the same person who had that original brainstorming conversation with you. They will come into the reading with a sense of what makes you special, but without too much bias related to their personal feelings on your character. Have them read the essay without you present, first. Then meet, and ask them:

  • Did they learn anything new or unexpected about you in this essay?
  • Did they find themselves thinking back on the essay after they were done reading it? If so, what part(s) were they thinking about?
  • Would they want to have a coffee with you after reading this essay? Or collaborate on a project with you? 

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but asking them will help you to gauge whether your story communicates what you want it to about who you are.

Following these guidelines will enable you to set your sights in the right direction for your college essay and launch your writing process with confidence. Check back in soon for part two in this series: we’ll be sharing an article on the next steps for editing your Common App Personal Statement into its most compelling final state.

More Help on the College Admissions Process

Have these tips helped you brainstorm or draft? Are you interested in personalized advice for planning your own personal statement, extracurricular activities, school list, and more? Tell us about your goals and what you’ve been doing using our college admissions calculator , and we’ll get back to you shortly with tips for just your profile. Or, skip straight to a free phone consultation to discuss your application strategy with our expert college admissions consulting team.

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Articles & Advice > College Admission > Blog

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Choosing Your Story: How to Make Your Common App Essays Stand Out

Not sure how to write your Common Application essay? Here's a breakdown of the prompts and answers admission officers want (and don't want) to see from you.

by Phoebe Bain Freelance Writer

Last Updated: May 17, 2023

Originally Posted: Jan 7, 2019

Given the amount of college-bound high school students filling out the Common Application every year, it might seem difficult to make these essays stand out. In reality, most of us have pretty similar stories at this age. However, how you shape your own story in these essays has more to do with making you stand out than your story itself. Below is a list of options for Common Application essay questions and how to avoid the most #basic of responses to each.

Addressing your values or background

Common Application prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

This essay prompt can often be the most common one students choose to answer. So although this question seems unique, many applicants think of themselves as unique enough to answer it and feel it's a great place to tell an important story.

  • Tell an impactful story: Examples of a good answer to this question include writing about your status as an immigrant, your experience being in the foster care system, being a close relative to someone famous, or growing up as a nomad/someone with an alternative lifestyle. Good answers to this question must be exceptional and outside the norm. If you’re a pianist who’s played at Carnegie Hall, go for it. If you’ve only played at your school’s annual holiday recital, don’t.
  • Avoid banal experiences: Examples of a bad answer to this question include more commonplace experiences. For instance, if your application would be incomplete without your identity as a youth swim coach, pick a different question; a lot of high school students are youth swim coaches. The same goes if your talent is that you took AP Art and love painting but haven’t done much else with it in your life—or if your interest in biomedical research dosn't include any participation in it. Basically, this is the question about you , you shouldn’t have to think for long about the answer.

Related: How to Write About Bullying In Your College Essay

Writing about a lesson learned

Common Application prompt: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

The Common App wants you to get to the deep stuff here. This question has an equally high risk for eliciting poignant answers as it does shallow ones.

  • Talk about overcoming a real struggle: Examples of a good answer include writing about times of tragedy , like maybe your house burnt down and you had to do all your schoolwork at the local library for a year. You can write about the time you had to put a family before yourself and how it affected your life, or how you wanted to play on the varsity football team even though you identify as a woman. The more specific the better.
  • Avoid typical high school life experiences: Examples of a bad answer include the time you lost a the championship soccer game; the time your high school boyfriend left you for someone else; or the time you broke your left arm and happen to be left handed. The commonality between these three answers is that they’re all common experiences a lot of people learn and grow from. You don't want to be the 200 th essay your dream school receives about someone who didn’t get the lead in their school play.

Reflecting on challenging your beliefs

Common Application prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Sounding too high and mighty gets really easy on this one. But if you view yourself as a student activist, this might be the essay for you. Just follow Kendrick Lamar’s advice here and “Stay Humble.”

  • Get (sort of) controversial:  When you think of this “belief or idea” that you challenged, be sure it was something you felt really passionate about. For example, writing about the time you challenged school dress codes because of its sexist nature and worked with school officials to make changes is the right amount of controversial. Writing about the time you tried to go to school naked in protest of said dress codes is over the line. Or maybe it's as simple as joining a political club and challenging your views on politics .
  • Don’t paint yourself as a superhero:  Odds are you didn’t single handedly convince your high school to start recycling when it didn’t at all before you graced the school with your presence. You probably had the rest of Environmental Club behind you, even if you were the president. Admission officers won’t love you being cocky, so adopt a down-to-earth tone and give credit where credit is due.

Related: How to Sound Smart in Your Personal Statement

Discussing personal growth

Common Application prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

This is another prompt that's very popular among applicants as most students do some major growing during high school.

  • Find what makes you  you: Pick this question if you know you can tell your story with depth. Great examples of these essays include talking about the first time you went hunting with your dad, the death of a close friend or family member, or a specific “aha!” moment.
  • Pass over shallow experiences: Don’t pick this question if any part of you thinks your answer might be shallow or something another applicant would submit. Again, talking about the demise of your high school romance is not acceptable, no matter how much you grew from that experience.

Explaining what captivates you most

Common Application prompt: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

  • Share your love of your interests: This one is simple! Have a passion ? Talk about it the way you would to your best friend, then have a bunch of English teachers and college counselors review it. Your passion will come through in your writing as long as it feels sincere.
  • Don't lie about your interests: The only way you could write this essay poorly is by lying about your passion. This one has to be entirely truthful, or it will come off as stale.

Related: How to Write About Yourself the Right Way in Your College Essays

Which one do you choose?

Deciding which one of these essay prompts to respond to is all about figuring out what you think will present the best you to an admission committee. If one of these prompts elicits a strong reaction from you right off the bat, go with it! You can always change your mind later if your essay isn’t clicking. And luckily, the Common App also allows you to write on any topic if your choice if there's something you're really passionate about. If something feels like it’s drawing you in, it’s worth exploring and will likely make for a great essay response. 

And if you’re curious about the newest addition to your essay prompt options, learn more about it with our blog on  How to Approach the New Common Application Prompt .

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About Phoebe Bain

Phoebe Bain is an avid writer, reader, runner, ukulele player, and user of the passive voice. Her favorite show is How I Met Your Mother , and she loves how giraffes look when they sleep.

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how to make an essay stand out

How to write a college application essay that stands out from the crowd

how to make an essay stand out

Getting into college can feel daunting to any high school student. They are asked to compete with thousands of peers for coveted spots in a freshman class, including many with similar grade point averages, test scores and activities listed on their applications.

What’s one way to stand out in a crowd of qualified students?

Experts say well-crafted application essays can get an admissions officer to take notice and propel an applicant to the top of the heap. Whether it’s about a life-changing event or a moment as simple as fishing, a compelling essay can reflect a student’s voice and mindset, or provide a glimpse into his or her life that a transcript alone may not convey.

“This is really where they can shine,” said Kelly Peterfriend, supervisor of counseling with the Northern Highland Regional High School district. “This is a chance for the student to speak to who they are and what they believe and what they’re passionate about.”

With most early action and early decision college applications due Nov. 1 or Nov. 15, it’s crunch time for students who should be drafting their essays. NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network New Jersey asked experts to provide tips on how to write a great college essay, from brainstorming ideas to proofreading the final product. 

Big moments, small moments

Some colleges ask for a personal statement, and others provide a choice of topics, or prompts, for a student to write about. The Common Application, which students can use for more than 700 colleges, gives a choice of seven essay prompts this year that include recounting a challenge, setback or failure and what was learned from the experience; a time when the student questioned or challenged a belief or idea; and a problem the student would like to solve.

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Applicants can write about ways they made an impact in their community or overcame obstacles in life, experts said. But the essay does not have to center around a major event.

“It can be small moments told in an interesting or novel way — something that tells about their character,” said Deborah Shames, a college counselor in Upper Saddle River. “Sometimes the smallest moments make the best essays.”

Experts advise students to steer clear of overused themes, like winning a big game with seconds on the clock. “It’s a great story, but admissions reps are reading so many essays," so the theme or story must be different enough to capture their attention, Peterfriend said.

Students should instead aim to write a story that is uncommon, or told from a unique perspective — one that delivers a bigger message or reveals information about the student.

“It’s different writing than they’re used to,” Peterfriend said. “It’s personal and it is for a specific audience, and thousands of kids are trying to reach your same audience, so you need to be different.”

For students writing about why they want to attend a certain college or study a certain major, Shames cautions to be specific and cite examples about what they want to do at that college and how they plan to take advantage of the college’s offerings.

“It shouldn’t read like a template,” Shames said. “You should never be able to substitute the name of the college.”

Revise, revise

When it comes to the writing process, Peterfriend encourages students to “just write and get it out” and then revise the essay or cut down later. If they decide they don’t like the topic, they should scrap it and find another.

Students should write and revise multiple drafts. They should show the essay to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor or parent, to proofread and offer feedback. The person reading the essay should make sure the student’s point is coming across and that the topic resonates.

But they should not attempt to change the student's voice. 

“Admissions officers can spot from a mile away if your parent wrote that essay,” said Mary Sue Youn, a Ridgewood-based college admissions consultant for the company College Coach. “The student’s voice is the one that has to clearly come across in that piece.”  

Unforgettable essays

Youn can still recall in detail certain essays that crossed her desk more than a decade ago when she was an admissions officer at Barnard College in Manhattan and Whittier College in California.

“There are times when I would read a student essay and really fall in love with them and want to advocate for them in committee,” she said. “It can be something that makes the student stand out.”

She recalled one essay a student wrote about trying to start an old junky car that she’d received from her grandfather. She described the steps she took to try to find and fix the source of the problem while weaving in details about herself.

The engaging, well-written essay showed the student’s tenacity in handling a problem, Youn said.

“A great essay has the combination of two main points: storytelling and an experience where the student is trying to put the reader in their shoes,” she said.

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For Peterfriend, one essay that stood out came from a student who taught skiing to a disabled and nonverbal child. He wrote about how they communicated, and how he felt when he got to see the child ski down his first slope. He wrote that he didn’t realize how much joy he could receive by helping someone else. The story reflected compassion and self-growth.

Shames recalled one unforgettable essay in which a student, asked to write a page from his future autobiography, wrote about fishing with his future child — as he had with his own father and grandfather.

“It was beautifully written,” Shames said. “It stuck with me. Here’s a kid who has compassion and respect for his father and wants to create a legacy for this child. That probably floats over to how the student acts in business and life.”

Experts caution that while a great essay can be a “tipping point” to get a student noticed in a field of qualified applicants, an essay alone won’t be enough to get into college. The student must have the academic record to back it up.

“You can have the most amazing essay in the world,” Shames said. “[It won’t matter] if the college isn’t confident that you can come there and be successful given your academic history.”

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How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

how to make an essay stand out

As an admissions officer, I reviewed thousands of essays for students seeking admission and scholarships. The essay is one of the most important parts of the scholarship application process–a strong essay can go a long way. However, with so much competition, it is important for your scholarship essay to stand out. That’s why it’s important for you to start a scholarship essay off right!

There are some very simple things that you can do to ensure that your essay is engaging from the very first sentence. In fact, beginning your essay with an exciting opening is one of the most important things you can do, because it will immediately distinguish your essay from the others. 

Keep on reading to learn more about how you can nail the very first sentence and start your essay off right!

Engage the reader with the first sentence

No matter what type of essay you are writing, you will want to ensure that the very first line grabs the attention of the reader. One of the biggest mistakes that students make when starting their essay is simply restating the prompt. This is bland and boring. 

Now, you might be wondering, “how do I engage the reader with the very first line of my essay?”. The good news is that there are several ways that you can do this that are very simple to do. 

Related:  How to answer scholarship essay questions about your career goals

Begin with dialogue

First, you could begin your essay with conversation. This can be an interesting and unexpected way to start your scholarship essay. Maybe someone asked you an unexpected question? Perhaps you were having an interesting conversation with a friend or family member? Either way, dialogue can be a powerful tool to start your essay.

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Put the reader in your shoes.

Alternatively, you can choose to start your essay by placing the reader right in your shoes and show them something from your life. Appeal to the senses and show the reader what you see, hear, smell, or taste. These specific details will help your essay come to life and make it even more memorable. 

Also recommended: What’s the best scholarship essay format?

Scholarship essay introduction example

Next,  we’ll look at a specific example of how you can open up your essay. Let’s say you are applying for the Questbridge scholarship program . One of the essays that you will be asked is:

We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations, and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most influenced you. How are they shaping your future aspirations?

You might be tempted to rephrase the question and start your essay with something like:

“I have grown up in a rural context and this has formed my aspirations and allowed me to accomplish academic success…”

This is generic and will not engage your reader at all. 

Instead, what if you started off your essay with something like this:

“I look outside my bedroom window and see Henry, my favorite chicken, pecking at something in the dirt.” 

Makes a big difference, right? As a reader, you are probably wondering: why does this person have chickens outside their bedroom window? Why did they name this particular chicken Henry?

See also: Here are our top writing & essay scholarships for students!

Keep the ending of your essay in mind as you write the opening

While crafting your opening, be open to ideas about how to close your essay. There is no need to stress about the ending now, but being mindful of effective ways to end an essay is always a good idea. Say you are opening your scholarship essay with Henry the chicken. Is there a way for Henry to make an impactful appearance at the end of the essay to close things out in a way that perfectly wraps everything up? The key is for the essay ending to be meaningful and memorable for the reader. 

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If you can’t think of a “wow” scholarship essay beginning, keep writing!

Sometimes, we know what we want to say, point by point, but we are not ready to be creative when it comes to opening an essay. In that case, keep writing! There is always the option of going back and crafting an engaging opening after your essay is written. Simply write your main idea where the first paragraph would be to guide you as you write. After, go back when your creative juices are flowing, and craft the amazing opening (and closing) that your scholarship essay deserves!

Final thoughts

As shown, there are many questions that we as readers will have after reading an engaging essay opening such as the one just shared; We want to learn more about the student who is writing this essay. After all, as a writer trying to stand out in a pile of essays, that is our main goal. 

We hope that you have a better understanding of how to start a scholarship essay so you can maximize your chances of winning scholarships!

Additional resources

Scholarships360 is the go-to for all things college admissions and scholarships! Wondering how to write a 250 word essay and how to write a 500 word essay ? Curious how to write an essay about yourself ? Wow, do we have the resources to help! Additionally, check out our free scholarship search tool to help you finance your college education. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors! 

Key Takeaways

  • The first sentence of the essay is what makes the reader want to continue reading 
  • Engage the reader by appealing to the senses
  • Create a sense of wonder in your essay, making the reader want to learn more about you
  • Keep the ending of the essay in mind as you craft the beginning

Frequently asked questions about how to start a scholarship essay

What is an essay hook, how long should my scholarship essay be, scholarships360 recommended.

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Top 7 Tips That Make Your Essay Stand Out

how to make an essay stand out

  • Last Updated: April 14, 2023

Essays refer to small pieces of writing that generally demonstrate the effects and causes, problems, and solutions compared to any topic. In short, an article tells more about a specific topic. Everyone can write an essay, although to varying degrees of conciseness. So, how do you make your essay stand out from amongst the mountain load of other papers? Well, here are a few tips that can make your essay stand out:

1. The First Paragraph Should Grab the Reader’s Attention

The introduction to your essay should capture the reader’s attention and make the reader want to read more of your paper. A robust and straightforward title is often very effective. It piques the interest of the reader. Here are a few ways methods you can employ to grab the attention of the reader from the start:

  • Starting with a question
  • Using an interesting quote
  • Challenging the reader by directly speaking to them

The aim here is to make the reader want more.

2. Be Interesting

Your essays may prove to be boring as you try to impress or as you try to be knowledgeable. Your aim in writing the piece is not to prove how much you know but rather to come off as being unique. It would help if you made your opinions on the subject matter to be clear and concise. Try to make the reader see what you are writing about in your way. Writing in first person point of view enables readers to comprehend how you view things. Expressing an opinion directly from your perspective can also assist readers in connecting with your work.

3. Make Sure Your Essay Is Correct and Striking

You can make your essay striking by paying attention to a few critical things. Make sure the font you use is readable. It would be best to consider whether or not to use the bold typeface in your essay, especially in the areas you would like to accentuate. Balance your report throughout the page and look out for the margin borders. The way you separate the paragraphs should be consistent throughout the entire essay.

You can use the block format or indent the sections to give a good visual impression on the readers and come off as striking. It would be best if you also proved read your essay to avoid mistakes in your writing. Check your spelling and make sure the basic punctuation is also correct. You should also not overlook the capitalization of your words.

4. Approach the Essay from a Different Perspective

An excellent way to make sure your essay stands out is to look at the piece differently from the others. It would help if you looked for the road less traveled in such situations. What if you wrote about the negatives of the topic instead of the positives? You can choose a reliable writing service to accomplish this. Your aim here is to try and write an essay from a perspective different from everyone else’s. You need a unique approach to the subject matter different from what everyone else sees to make your essay stand out as you are going against the wave.

5. Use Specific Examples

To make your essay stand out, you should use convincing examples to get your point across to the reader. You should not just give general ideas but specific ideas relating to the theme of the essay. The reader will relate more to particular examples.

6. Be Clear and Concise

Your ideas and thoughts presented in the essay should be well understood and presented logically. All the pictures should make sense to the reader and clearly that the reader well understands. Try to avoid ambiguity in your sentences. It would help if you did not leave the reader trying to understand what you are trying to communicate . The transitions between your ideas should be smooth and precise and well organized. The opinions and thoughts presented in your essay should be understandable to all the different audiences that may read your report. The article should appeal to diverse audiences.

7. Show Emotion and Authenticity

It would help if you showed genuine emotion in your essay to make it stand out from the crowd. It would be best if you made ready to understand how you truly feel. However, it would be best if you were wary of portraying yourself as the victim, which could be less appealing to the reader. You should be able to show your true self. Make the reader relate to you as an individual or to your theme.

Trying to make your essay stand out can be a difficult task. However, with the above tips, you can make sure your articles stand out from the others.

how to make an essay stand out

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how do you make an essay stand out? Answered

i’m about to start writing my common app essay and a lot of the questions feel very open ended. i know that i have to be able to create a unique essay but i don’t really know how to make a topic stand out or avoid making my essay another run of the mill one. any thoughts?

Earn karma by helping others:

There are tons of approaches that students take to make their essays unique. The one I find most effective is creating a narrative. Basically, turn yourself into a character from a book or video game- take the most important interests and character traits, and create a storyline of who you are.

For example, in my application, I boiled myself down to an interest in conservation and civic service and chose a few character traits to highlight such as being innovative, cheerful and energetic. Many of my essays combined my character traits to create a distinct idea of who I am.

The idea is because they're so open-ended, you can basically use them to say whatever you want and make yourself memorable to the AOs. There's a reason fictional characters are written with a few character traits, even though real people aren't like that at all. It's much easier to get a distinct idea of a person if they have a specific thing that differentiates them.

One of the best ways to do this is to take conventional topics and write about them in an unconventional way. Even if the activities or themes you mention are run-of-the-mill, make them different by focusing on an unusual aspect.

For example, I recently read an essay about a student's love for art, which began by talking about how, to them, California was yellow (autumn leaves, lemon trees, her blonde best friend) while China was red (her red scarf, Chinese lanterns, New Years envelopes). She goes on to talk about how painting allowed her to explore the emotion behind each colour, and connect them to form beautiful pictures. In this way, the student takes a unique approach to talking about her culture by tying it to a more unique interest- painting.

I know all the blogs say this, but to avoid a run-of-the-mill essay, think of what you could say that would make the AOs think, 'wow! This really shows me who you are- I can see your motivations, your interests, and even your personality through the writing' (although make sure the tone is appropriate and not too informal).

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much!

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  2. How to Make Your Essay Stand Out

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  3. How To Write an Essay

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  4. Top 10 Strategies for Writing Stand-Out Essays

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out

    Sentence-level devices Other interesting articles Frequently asked questions about college application essays Essay structure devices You can frame your essay with symbolism or extended metaphors, which both work well in a montage or narrative essay structure. Symbolism Symbolism is the use of tangible objects to represent ideas.

  2. How to Write a Stand-Out College Essay

    Choose a Compelling Topic Once you divorce yourself from the misconception that your essay needs to be about something dramatic, life-altering, or incredibly exciting, you can start to home in on the content of your life that is worth writing about.

  3. 12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

    Write With the Reader in Mind. Writing for the reader means building a clear and logical argument in which one thought flows naturally from another. Use transitions between paragraphs. Think about any information you may have left out that the reader may need to know.

  4. PDF Strategies for Essay Writing

    When you write an essay for a course you are taking, you are being asked not only to create a product (the essay) but, more importantly, to go through a process of thinking more deeply about a question or problem related to the course. By writing about a source or collection of sources, you will have the chance to wrestle with some of the

  5. How to Structure an Essay

    Knowledge Base Essay How to structure an essay: Templates and tips How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023. The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

  6. 9 tips for How to Write a College Essay That Stands Out

    1. Start with a catchy opening First, from the list of college essay prompts, choose a topic that has a personal meaning for you. An experience, a hobby, or a favorite thing could each be an excellent college admission essay topic. The best way to grab the readers' attention right from the start is by opening with an engaging hook.

  7. 7 Ways to Make Your College Application Essay Stand Out

    1. Choose a Thoughtful Title College essays are not typically required to have a title, but crafting one can be a powerful tool to make your essay stand out right away — which is why Benjamin Caldarelli, co-founder of Princeton College Consulting, recommends adding one.

  8. 5 Tips for Making Your College Essay Stand Out

    1. Make sure you understand the prompt Easy enough, but you'd be surprised how often students stumble on this point. Read and reread the prompt to make absolutely sure you know what's being asked of you. "Answer the question," says Shawn Felton, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Cornell University.

  9. How to Write a College Essay

    Making an all-state team → outstanding achievement. Making an all-state team → counting the cost of saying "no" to other interests. Making a friend out of an enemy → finding common ground, forgiveness. Making a friend out of an enemy → confront toxic thinking and behavior in yourself.

  10. How can I make my college essays stand out?

    1. Be authentic: Write about something that genuinely interests you or has had a significant impact on your life, and let your voice shine through. 2. Be specific: Instead of talking about broad, general topics, focus on specific experiences, events, or people that have influenced your life.

  11. Seven Ways to Make your College Essay Stand Out

    1. Your first paragraph should grab the reader The college essay has to grab the attention of an admission's reader. It is imperative, then, that the introduction to the college essay capture the reader's attention and make the reader want to read more. There are different ways to grab the reader. Try starting with a question.

  12. How can I make my college essay stand out?

    This will make your essay more engaging and memorable. 4. Be clear and concise: Ensure your essay is well-structured, with a clear focus, and avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex language. 5. Edit and revise: Give yourself enough time to review and revise your essay multiple times.

  13. 5 Ways to Make Your Scholarship Essay Stand Out

    Best Colleges Education Home 5 Ways to Make Your Scholarship Essay Stand Out When writing a scholarship essay, follow these tips to win the most money for college. By Emma Kerr | Jan. 13, 2020,...

  14. How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out: Essential Tips

    Watch on Snatching an outline from the internet or reading over dozens of college essay examples from former admits are habits that will hurt your process, rather than help it. When you're overloaded with information, it's easy to end up in a state of analysis paralysis.

  15. 7 Unique Ways to Stand Out on Your College Applications

    1. A top-notch portfolio If you're planning to major in Art, Graphic Design, Film/Photography, or Creative Writing, chances are you'll be asked to provide a portfolio of work for review. Put your best foot forward for this requirement.

  16. Making Your Common App Essays Stand Out

    Addressing your values or background Common Application prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. This essay prompt can often be the most common one students choose to answer.

  17. How do I make my application essay stand out?

    The key to making your application essay stand out is to choose a topic that showcases your personality and experiences in a unique way. Don't worry about having a groundbreaking story; instead, focus on telling your own story in an engaging manner. Here are a few tips that might help: 1. Reflect on your personal experiences: Think about ...

  18. How to write a college essay that stands out from the crowd

    Revise, revise. When it comes to the writing process, Peterfriend encourages students to "just write and get it out" and then revise the essay or cut down later. If they decide they don't ...

  19. How to Come Up With College Essay Ideas that Stand Out

    You want your essay to stand out. You want it to showcase your individuality and convince readers that you belong at the college. One of the best ways to come up with a college essay idea is to spend lots of time brainstorming ideas until you finally find one that works for you. Keep in mind that this brainstorming activity isn't one that you ...

  20. How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out: A Comprehensive Guide

    1. Choose a Unique Angle for Your Topic When selecting a topic for your college essay, it's important to choose a unique angle that will set your essay apart from the rest. Avoid overused...

  21. How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

    Key Takeaways. The first sentence of the essay is what makes the reader want to continue reading. Engage the reader by appealing to the senses. Create a sense of wonder in your essay, making the reader want to learn more about you. Keep the ending of the essay in mind as you craft the beginning.

  22. Top 7 Tips That Make Your Essay Stand Out

    1. The First Paragraph Should Grab the Reader's Attention The introduction to your essay should capture the reader's attention and make the reader want to read more of your paper. A robust and straightforward title is often very effective. It piques the interest of the reader.

  23. How to Make Your Essay Stand Out

    How to Make Your Essay Stand Out Share. Recorded Friday, December 9, 2022 at 09:00 PM. The recording will load in a moment. The admissions process is hard - Isha is here to help! Schedule a free consulation to meet Isha and get your questions answered Get help with:

  24. @standout.search on Instagram: "Since "spike" has become the new

    593 likes, 19 comments - standout.search on February 19, 2024: "Since "spike" has become the new buzzword in admissions, many students are afraid to have mul..."

  25. how do you make an essay stand out?

    1 answer. There are tons of approaches that students take to make their essays unique. The one I find most effective is creating a narrative. Basically, turn yourself into a character from a book or video game- take the most important interests and character traits, and create a storyline of who you are. For example, in my application, I boiled ...