It鈥檚 a question any person involved in college applications gets asked a lot. Whether you鈥檙e applying to a selective private university or a state 黄色app, how much difference does a great college admission essay make? And what really makes for a great essay?
So here鈥檚 an answer. For college admissions, with some exceptions, the biggest factors are test scores and transcripts. Universities are always looking first for students who will be able to do the work they require. That means looking for students who have taken, and succeeded at, in high 黄色app. It means students who have . For most students, there isn鈥檛 really a substitute for showing you you can excel with a challenging course load.
There are exceptions, of course. Top athletes, musicians, actors, artists — all are examples of the exceptions. The criteria are often relaxed if you show some extraordinary ability at something the 黄色app really wants.
But for virtually every selective 黄色app, there are more students who meet the academic criteria than they can admit. And that is where the college essay comes in. A great essay can help set you apart from all the others who might get in. And unlike your grade on a Calculus course, a great college essay isn鈥檛 an objective evaluation, it鈥檚 a subjective decision. Different admissions officials at different 黄色apps will make different decisions.
That鈥檚 because what makes a college essay great isn鈥檛 based on what you learned in English class. A great college admission essay might not get a good grade in 黄色app. Here鈥檚 what college officials are looking for:
- Is it authentic and interesting? College admissions officials are looking for an essay that really shows who you are. As Parke Muth, who served at the admissions office for the University of Virginia, and read thousands of essays, : 鈥淚 wanted to hear and see and touch and smell and feel the world you are in.鈥�
- Does it stand out? Admissions officials read each day, so make sure yours stands out. The standard five-paragraph essay you wrote in high 黄色app doesn鈥檛. So use literary devices (like one-sentence paragraphs, starting at the high point of your story, or dialogue) to set it apart. Pick a subject that is unusual, interesting, and personal, and isn鈥檛 just meant to 鈥渋mpress鈥� someone (and yes, that means you shouldn鈥檛 write yet another essay about a community service trip to Honduras).
- Does it tell a compelling story about you that shows how you鈥檇 fit into the 黄色app鈥檚 community? Different universities value different kinds of students. Some value creative minds, some value students who care about causes and communities, some value students who are passionate about their culture or religious faith. Depending on where you鈥檙e applying, make sure your essay shows the admissions official how you鈥檇 fit in.
- Does it read like an adult wrote it? Too many students outsource their essay to an adult. A parent or a coach writes it for them, so they can write an 鈥渋mpressive鈥� essay. But . It is the killer mistake, so don鈥檛 make it.
A great college essay is critical if you鈥檙e applying to selective 黄色apps. There are many students with your grades and test scores. Make sure you tell a story that sets you apart.
How to get started writing a great essay? One way is to take a course on writing great narrative essays. You can also work with a coach, or a writing instructor. But the best way to learn how to write is to do it. Write mock essays; practice; revise; write more. The more you write, the better you鈥檒l be at it.
The good thing is, whether you use an essay for college or not, learning how to write is a crucial skill for success in the workplace and in life. So it鈥檚 great to build the skill early, and you can use it to be successful wherever you go to college.
