Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps, Second Edition

1. Understand the narrative structure to craft a compelling college essay

A story deserves to be told when something out of the ordinary is happening.

The narrative framework is essential for a successful college essay. It consists of four key elements:

• "The Once": Establish the specific point in time where your narrative is situated
• The Ordinary vs. The Extraordinary: Highlight a unique or unusual event that makes your story worth telling
• Tension and Conflict: Create a context for your story that engages the reader
• The Point: Clearly convey why your story matters and what it reveals about you

A well-crafted narrative should address these elements while maintaining a balance between setup, action, and resolution. Remember that your essay is limited to 250-500 words, so focus on a specific moment or experience rather than trying to cover your entire life story.

2. Choose a topic that showcases your authentic self and fits the essay format

The college essay is not the place to tout one's achievements as much as it is a place to explore one's feelings about the world and how you fit into it.

Topic selection is crucial for creating a memorable essay. Consider the following strategies:

• Reflect on meaningful experiences: Ask yourself probing questions about challenges, discoveries, and personal growth
• Identify conflicts: Look for moments of tension or struggle that reveal your character
• Show, don't tell: Focus on specific stories that demonstrate your qualities rather than listing accomplishments
• Avoid clichés: Steer clear of overused topics and find unique angles on common experiences

Remember that seemingly ordinary events can make for compelling essays if they reveal something significant about your character, values, or perspective. The goal is to provide insight into who you are beyond your grades and test scores.

3. Select an appropriate point of view to effectively tell your story

Your essay needs to present your authentic voice.

Point of view shapes how your story is perceived. Consider these factors:

• Person: First-person (I/we) is most common and creates intimacy
• Tense: Past tense for reflection, present tense for immediacy
• Number: Singular (I) or plural (we) depending on the story's focus

Most college essays use first-person singular point of view, as it allows for a personal and direct connection with the reader. However, the key is to maintain consistency and choose the perspective that best serves your narrative.

When crafting dialogue, keep it brief and impactful. Use it to reveal character or advance the plot, not for exposition. Ensure each character has a distinct voice that fits their personality and background.

4. Overcome writing resistance and generate your first draft

Writing is, by its very nature, a difficult experience, one that is laden with challenge for almost all writers, the professionals as well as the novices.

Overcome resistance by adopting these strategies:

• Set a quiet, distraction-free writing environment
• Use freewriting to generate ideas without self-censorship
• Establish a daily writing quota (e.g., 100 words) to build momentum
• Accept that the first draft won't be perfect – focus on getting ideas down

Remember that resistance is normal and can manifest as procrastination or self-doubt. Recognize these feelings and push through them. The goal of the first draft is simply to get your thoughts on paper, not to produce a polished essay.

To stimulate creativity:

• Write your essay as a letter to a friend
• Start in the middle of the action (in media res)
• Experiment with different opening lines or structures

5. Edit your essay for structure, flow, and impact

Vision and execution often fall poles apart—particularly at the start of the writing process. The purpose of writing drafts is to bring vision and execution closer together.

Editing process:

1. Big picture edit:

   • Ensure your essay addresses the four narrative elements
   • Check for clear conflict and resolution
   • Verify that your point comes across effectively

2. Structural edit:

   • Organize your essay for maximum impact (e.g., chronological, thematic)
   • Balance exposition, action, and reflection
   • Use transitions to create smooth flow between ideas

3. Content edit:

   • Cut unnecessary details that don't serve the story
   • Expand on important moments or insights
   • Add sensory details to make your story vivid and engaging

Don't be afraid to make significant changes or even start over if necessary. The editing process often involves multiple drafts, each bringing you closer to your vision.

6. Refine your writing style and tone for maximum effect

The goal of your college essay—like the goal of any piece of writing—is to capture the attention and interest of your reader.

Stylistic considerations:

• Voice: Aim for an authentic, conversational tone that reflects your personality
• Sentence structure: Vary sentence length and structure for rhythm and emphasis
• Word choice: Use strong verbs and specific nouns; avoid clichés and jargon
• Literary devices: Incorporate metaphors, similes, or analogies sparingly to enhance your writing

Tone tips:

• Avoid extremes (overly formal or too casual)
• Steer clear of sarcasm, which can be misinterpreted
• Show humility and self-awareness
• Balance confidence with openness to growth

Read your essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing or unnatural language. Seek feedback from trusted readers to ensure your style and tone are appropriate and effective.

7. Polish your essay and prepare it for submission

Knowing that you've done your all for the piece is the best way to move toward a positive feeling of acceptance around it rather than a dispirited sense of resignation.

Final polish checklist:

• Proofread meticulously for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
• Check word count and adjust if necessary
• Ensure formatting meets application requirements
• Verify that your essay answers the prompt (if applicable)
• Read your essay from the perspective of an admissions officer

Common errors to watch for:

• Misused words (e.g., affect/effect, their/there/they're)
• Inconsistent tense or point of view
• Vague pronouns or references
• Overuse of adverbs or adjectives

Consider having a teacher, counselor, or writing tutor review your final draft. Fresh eyes can catch errors you may have missed and provide valuable feedback on the overall impact of your essay.

Remember that your essay is just one part of your application. It should complement your other materials and provide a unique window into your personality, experiences, and potential contributions to the college community.

Last updated: August 22, 2024