My Very Unofficial Tips on Writing Your College Essay
Harvard student Dan shares his candid, no-nonsense advice on writing a college essay that sounds authentically like you — from picking a topic to rewriting until you're proud.
College application essays can seem really freaky and daunting. If you're nervous to write your essay, that's good! That means you care! But hopefully these helpful, very unofficial tips will make you feel a little more confident in writing this future masterpiece.
To clarify: these are the reflections of a Harvard student, not an admissions officer. But the advice below is grounded in real experience.
Make It Uniquely You
The personal essay is the only place in your entire application where admissions officers can hear your own voice. While a lot of applications have similar academics or extracurricular activities, none of them have you in them. So make yourself shine.
That doesn't mean your essay has to be about ending world hunger. It means that if someone dropped a stack of 1,000 nameless essays at your school, your friends and teachers should be able to pick out yours. Write in your regular, everyday voice — not in the elevated tone of Mrs. Smith's English paper on Hamlet.
Pick a Topic Which Matters to You
It doesn't have to be sad or emotionally heavy. It doesn't have to be about something impressive, like building your own jetpack. Admissions officers can glean "impressive" from your resume. Write about something that brings out your personality — and something you won't get bored of, because this essay is your baby for a while.
Start Writing
There's nothing worse than staring at a blank screen. Just start writing. Once you get words on the page, ideas flow more freely and you'll start to feel good. Even if what you have is stinky at first, the essay starts to take shape.
Write a Lot
Write as much as you can about your topic, even if it doesn't make sense yet. Then whittle that novel down into 650 words. For every sentence that makes it in, there are probably four that don't. That's completely okay — trim the fat.
Rewrite, Rewrite, Rewrite
The Great Gatsby wasn't written in one draft. Read your essay out loud. Does it sound weird? Fix that. Is it boring? Jazz it up. Keep rewriting until you're proud of it.
Show It to Other People
Let your mom read it. Show it to your teacher. Getting different pairs of eyes on your essay makes it stronger. If their criticism rings true, take it. If you disagree, you don't have to.
Are You Proud of It?
If no — keep rewriting, or start over. Sometimes an essay is like overcooked cookies: you can try adding frosting, but it might be better to start fresh. Don't freak out.
If yes — well done. You've written your college essay, and it's awesome.
Source: Harvard College – Student Stories. Authored by Dan, Harvard alum.