The College Essay Should Sound Like a Student, Not a Committee

The strongest admission essays usually do not try to summarize an entire life. They zoom in. A small moment can reveal character: repairing a bicycle with a grandfather, learning to care for natural hair, translating for a family member, recovering after a poor grade, or discovering why a certain problem matters.

Students should begin by listing ten moments they remember vividly. For each moment, ask: What happened? What did I think then? What do I understand now? What does this reveal about me?

Avoid turning every essay into a résumé in paragraph form. Admissions readers already have the activity list. The essay should add the student's thinking, personality, values, and voice.

Encouragement for struggling writers: You do not need to sound "impressive." You need to sound specific and genuine. Write the story first. Polish the grammar later. Voice disappears when students try to edit every sentence before they have discovered what they want to say.

Quick takeaway: Encouragement for struggling writers: You do not need to sound "impressive." You need to sound specific and genuine. Write the story first. Polish the grammar later. Voice disappears when students try to edit every sentence before they have discovered what they want to say.