A blank Word document can be one of the most daunting sights, especially if said blank document is supposed to get a college admissions office to notice you. While some students may find essay writing as easy as breathing, there is something uniquely tricky about having to write a college application essay. After all, how does one begin to write everything interesting about themselves in 250 words or less?
While there is no formula for a great college application essay, we do have a few tips for how to get started:
- Free write! Don’t sit down and think you have to write the perfect essay in one go. Instead, think broadly about the topic and write down everything that comes to mind when you think about it. Afterwards, look for sentences and paragraphs that capture what you were trying to say and go from there
- Write several essays. While it may sound counterintuitive to write several essays when you only need two, you might end up writing a fantastic essay about something else entirely by trying out a few different topics. Sometimes practicing two essays on the same topic can be helpful because then you can get a better sense of the points you want to come through in your final version.
- Read the prompt! Some students get so caught up in writing a great essay that they miss the point of the prompt entirely. Think critically about what the prompt is asking you and make sure you answer the question.
- Focus on the “why.” All of UVA’s essays ask you the reasoning behind your initial choice. By answering the “why” part thoroughly, you not only illuminate why this topic is important to you but you also give the deans a glimpse of what sets you apart from someone else who may have written about the same subject.
- DON’T just list all your activities. The essays are a chance to dig deeper into a topic. Instead of merely stating you played soccer for ten years, talk about an experience you had that affected you positively or discuss something you learned from it.
- Talk to a trusted friend or adult. Use them as a sounding board while you’re in the draft stage. Make sure though that you trust yourself and write about what YOU want to talk about. And of course, don’t ask them to write your essay for you. The deans want to hear what YOU have to say.
- Make a list! If all else fails, start with bullet points with the key points you want to cover. Chances are you’ll come up with plenty of things to say!
Remember, the deans at UVA want to get to know you better as a person. The essays are the best way to communicate things that are important to you. You should inject your personal story into your writing, which comes from your unique experiences and perspective. If a stranger could learn something about you from reading your work, you know you’ve written a good essay. The word “essay” comes from the French word for “to try,” so just try your best!