You spend most of the first two decades of your life preparing for one thing — college. All the exams you’ve taken all these years will finally be put to test in that one defining test. But along with acing your tests and passing college application forms, you still have to tackle one more thing. 

Inevitably, you’ll have to impress your chosen university’s admission officers with a winning college essay. What you write in this portion of your college application can be a determining factor between acceptance and rejection. You have to ensure that your piece will stand out and set you apart from other student hopefuls.

With that, in this article, you will learn how to write a college essay with confidence.

1. Start Early

As the phrase goes, the early bird indeed catches the worm. Don’t wait until the last minute before you begin crafting your college essay. Starting early will give you plenty of time to develop multiple drafts and experiment with different writing styles.

The best time to begin working on your essay is the summer before senior year. During this period, you won’t have academics and extracurricular activities taking up your time. Thus, you will have enough mental energy to brainstorm ideas and write.  

2. Read Instructions Carefully

The stress and excitement that come from college applications can cause mental disorientation. It may seem like it goes without saying, but overlooking instructions can be your greatest downfall. As a result, the admissions officer may assume you don’t know how to follow directions.

So, before writing, make sure to read through the college essay guidelines carefully. What is the word and page limit? Is there a given format to follow? Once you understand these things like the back of your hand, you can start organizing your notes and create an outline.

3. Write a Compelling Introduction

If you look through college essay examples online, you’ll find that a compelling introduction is a staple in the formula. Remember that the admission officers will only review your piece briefly. If you can’t catch their attention within the first paragraph, your essay can end up being forgettable.

There are many ways to write an engaging introduction. You can start with a question, an anecdote, or an interesting story. Make sure it will highlight the best qualities of your character and personality. 

4. Let Your Voice Shine

As much as possible, avoid clichés. Remember that universities are looking to admit the brightest cream of the crop. In line with this, there are thousands of other students applying to your dream university. Thus, you have to show the qualities that make you stand out from other applicants. 

In your essay, try not to use expressions and ideas that have already been used over and over before. Write something important to you from an original angle. It will help to describe events and your reflections vividly. The key is to base each idea on your unique values, beliefs, knowledge, skills, ambition, and future goals. 

5. Don’t Repeat and Contradict

Remember that your essay is one part of your college application. Thus, you don’t have to repeat what you’ve written down on the application form. Along with this, don’t contradict any other part you’ve included in these documents.

Your essay is not the right place to list down your awards, accomplishments, and grades. Focus either on the question being asked or the specific topic you’ve chosen.

6. Let Examples Be Your Best Friend

An essay for college is a glimpse into your thought process and worldviews. To write a credible, winning essay, you need to back up your main ideas with supporting statements. Don’t just narrate an event or state a fact; incorporate specific details to develop your ideas. It’s where befriending examples come in. 

Write examples from real-life situations or personal experiences. Paying attention to this aspect can help you write even the simplest topic from a unique angle.

7. Ask Help for Proofreading and Editing

While writing your essay, you will probably review and read it multiple times to spot mistakes and errors. After all, who wants to submit a piece with obvious typos or other oversights. 

But the thing is, as you’re the one writing the work, it will be harder for you to spot these things. Reviewing your work yourself can introduce bias and skewed evaluation. Of course, we’re not discounting the fact that you’re most knowledgeable about the topic you’re writing about. However, spending a long period writing can distort how you view your output.

Thus, it’s not enough to know how to write an essay to produce a winning one. Having a fresh perspective to evaluate your drafts can be of great help. Don’t be afraid to seek assistance. You can ask a teacher or a professional to proofread your essay. Not only they’re likely to catch mistakes, but they can also evaluate the style and sound of writing. 

Smart Preparation is the Key!

Yes, the entire process of writing your college essay will be scary and overwhelming. But with proper preparation, you can overcome it with grace. Write from your heart, apply the tips above, and you will come out with a smile on your face. Good luck!