Tips: The College Personal Essay

For many students the college essay is the most personal and most intimidating part of the application. You’re not just listing accomplishments or test scores, you’re sharing who you are. Read our tips on how to write your personal essay with clarity and confidence.

Understand the Purpose of the Essay

Your personal statement isn’t just about impressing admissions officers—it’s about giving them a sense of your voice, character, and perspective, and gives you an opportunity to show reflection, growth, and authenticity. Ask yourself:

• What do I want colleges to know about me that isn’t obvious from the rest of my application?

• What experiences have shaped the way I think, act, or engage with the world?

• Find the story, not just the topic. A strong college essay usually focuses on a small moment or a personal story that leads to a deeper insight.

Brainstorm First

Instead of staring at a blank page, start by brainstorming. Try writing answers to prompts like:

• What is something you’ve learned about yourself in the last few years?

• When have you felt challenged, and how did you respond?

• What do friends or family come to you for?

• What’s a small moment that changed the way you see something?

Don’t judge your ideas yet—just jot them down and write freely. 

Show, Don’t Just Tell

Great college essays don’t list adjectives like “determined” or “passionate”—they show those traits through action and detail.

Use vivid, sensory language. If you’re writing about working a summer job, describe the moment you dealt with a difficult customer or overcame exhaustion during a double shift. Let the reader be in that moment with you.

Don’t Try to Be Who You Think Colleges Want

The most powerful essays are honest. Don’t write what you think admissions officers want to hear—write something authentic about you and how you think. Humor, vulnerability, quiet reflection, and even uncertainty can make for compelling essays when written thoughtfully and from the heart.