Us college applications: how to nail your essays

Now that you have started cruising your way through the stress-inducing US college application, you might already have come across the patty of the burger- the essays. And the number of required essays might already have stressed you out, because there are so many! To be very honest, essays are the meat of your application as it really depicts you better and represents your interests. As I have said in my previous admission related post, admissions officers only have 7-8 minutes to really get to know you better, and one indispensable way of getting to know you is your essay responses. These essays are stressful, requires caution and a lot thought, and wants that creativity flow that you promise will please the college that you want to get admitted to. So essays are a must in top spot in your ‘to nail’ list for a college application.

Now the question rises- how do I write a perfect essay can help boost my chances of getting admitted to my dream school? In all reality, it really isn’t possible to write a ‘perfect’ essay because it’s really subjective. However, if you can present yourself ‘perfectly’ through your essays, then your objective is fulfilled. Hopefully, my suggestions here will help you reach fruition and help achieve your dreams.

Firstly, I’ll start with the main essay.

• Which prompt should you choose?

Ans: Let’s start with the very first question many applicants ask: “Which prompt should I choose?” So, let’s have a glance at the prompts first:

i) 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.

ii) 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?

iii) Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

iv) Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

v) Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

vi) 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?

vii) Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

In all honesty, you should go with your guts and select any prompt that resonates with you. I suggest you go with the prompt that will help you describe your ambitions and what you will offer, and also something that resonates with the path you choose (not very important as you might apply undecided). Applicants mostly choose the odd numbered ones, with many going for (vii) because their essays might be different than what the prompt asks or even be an intersection of two of the prompts. This is really not an issue, however it is advised not to select this prompt because you might want to show the admissions officers that you know what you are writing about, right? (Yeah really weird, but why not if it boosts your chances, even by 0.001%?)

I chose prompt one as my story was more about self discovery, and I think it is the wisest choice of all the prompts as you want to show the admissions officers your ambitions and vulnerabilities. (I’m calling them ‘AO’s from now)

• What should I write about mainly?

Ans: As stated before, your essay should revolve around you. AOs want to read about you, the one intending to get into their college. Who are you? Why do you matter to them? What are your ambitions? What challenges have you faced that shaped these ambitions? Do they make you who you are today? Ask yourself these questions, and start writing your essay. Don’t make it a boring English class homework, make it a journey of self discovery. Show a little bit of vulnerability. This is important because a bunch of students end up writing only about their achievements and their good traits. These such essays turn out boring. Imagine a movie where the hero is just so invincible that he becomes untouchable, and there are no real stakes. Wouldn’t that be a boring film? Exactly! Write about the obstacles you have faced/are facing, and mention how you want to overcome them in college so that it shows the AOs a good reason why you want to attend college. At the end of the day, we are only humans. Don’t pretend to be an angel or Superman, be yourself, be humble and admit your short-comings, and you might end up with the golden ticket.

It is absolutely imperative to avoid cliche topics, by the way. Try avoiding the ‘glory in sports’ or ‘how I was challenged in a competition and I overcame it and won the gold medal’ type essays that have been written over the million times now. I know it’s a bit of a challenge, but it is much better to not write stories that have been said (or read) many times before. You want to be that one candidate who is unique and original, so avoid the topics that will bar you from becoming one.

Prompt (ii) and (v) may lead you into this trap, so try avoiding them unless you have a wholly unique and enticing story to tell.

• Should I mention all my awards or achievements?

Ans: ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! This is a personal essay, not a resume. Avoid writing about your awards as much as you can; the ‘Honors’ section is there for you to boast about them. Instead, show some humility and talk about your setbacks that faced or might still face, they will serve you better than gloating about awards you have already mentioned.

• Can I write about mental health struggles?

Ans: Now here’s a good question many have asked me. Sadly enough, writing about mental health issues like depression is strongly discouraged as they are regarded as “kiss of death” to an otherwise excellent application. A Cornell professor once wrote an article on how depressed students were never welcome to Cornell: https://www.salon.com/2021/12/19/depression-universities/

(As a matter of fact, if you really are facing a mental health issue, definitely seek help. Remember, you are not alone. Talk to someone or seek mental health resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/mental-health-resources/ or http://www.mhresources.org/ )

However, what you can use in your essay is how you once had faced mental struggles, but you fought your way out of it. You can include incidents that reflected your resilience, and your toughness. Caution: This may turn out to be another cliche topic, but can be something talked about if you are eloquent in your writing.

• How do I really write this essay ?!

Ans: Show, don’t tell. You need to create a picture of yourself that will stick with the AOs even after they have shut the office and left for the day. Sketch an image of yourself that will make the AOs ponder on their way back home, and boom, you are in. Don’t hesitate using any figures of speech available at your disposition, but be cautious as to what tone you are using as your relation with the AO is still a formal one. That being said, don’t hold back from describing scenarios. Make them flamboyant, and use bold letters for lines or sentences that you want to strike the AOs with.

• Can I write about other people?

Ans: This question might seem obvious at first sight, because you have to write about yourself, right? While that is exactly what I said, try tying in other people into your story without seemingly making them the main characters of your story. You should be the centre of focus, but other people woven in can add to the story and hopefully, to show your development. For example, try writing about yourself in the context of your family. This shows who you are, but in the context of your family and in relation to the people around you. It adds humanity to the story, and helps depict your growth.

• Can I use my own story to prove a universal truth?

Ans: DEFINITELY! Stories that help you connect with the universe and come to terms with various ways the universe works also helps you depict yourself better. Brooke Hanson of Supertutor TV for example said her story was about how she used to cry a lot when she was young, and how later in her life, she came to realize crying was a good outlet of letting one’s emotions out and she in to terms with the fact that she was somebody who had deep emotions like many.

• Can I write about a time I volunteered for something and the lessons I learned?

Ans: Tricky. What I suggest in such cases is that try to incorporate it as an element to your story, but not as something which your essay revolves around. Again, this is another cliche topic many have used before, so unless you are tricky enough, try not to write about them.

• Will my essays be enough if they simply answer the prompt?

Ans: In that case, as an AO, I can literally take your essay and paste it on someone else and say “XYZ’s story can be placed into anyone else’s lives” and auto reject your application. You wouldn’t want that would you?

Your objective here is to hit two birds with one stone- answer the prompt and at the same time, present yourself and how unique you are. Talk about specific points that make you who you are. Don’t be embarrassed or reserved about who you are, and don’t be vague because you don’t want to share details. If it is a sensitive topic, try to avoid it or be brave and write about it as vividly as you can. Remember, choosing a sensitive topic and not going into details will result in a trite, bland and forgettable essay.

If I am not into writing, where do I start?

Ans: Another important question that comes up often. Well, to be very honest, there’s no fruitful way of really making someone who is not into writing fall in love with it. It takes time, and for the person, it might be difficult. My only suggestion to the person is to be imaginative and read a lot of essays, favorably from past applicants who have been successful.

Try reading a lot and try writing something everyday. Search up different types of essays and go through them, and write something that encompasses your mind every day. Start with a page and work your way up. This is not an easy process and might take time, but there is no shortcut to success right?

• Are there are resources to help me out?

OF COURSE! Search up 'Supertutor TV' on YouTube. Brooke Hanson is easily one of the best mentors out here, in fact, I have learned many of the points above from her, so definitely check out her videos. Also, search up '50 successful essays that got into Ivy League' to read up the essays of successful applicants.

That should be all for this write up! Definitely hit me up with any specific questions you have, and I will get back to you as soon as I can! Stay safe and remember, “This process is random and unpredictable. You only have to try your best, and there is only so much you can do.”

Best of luck!