College Essay: Structure

• Engage your reader from the very first sentence.

• In the first few sentences, it is helpful to have a “hook” or an interesting point that draws the reader in.

• Start with a sensory detail, a striking metaphor, or an unexpected twist that invites curiosity. Reflect on the rich details and personal experiences you’ve previously brainstormed.

• How can you creatively retell these moments and bring them back to life? 

• What topic can you bring to the introduction of your essay that will tie together subsequent points that you would like to discuss (i.e. cultural identity, sports, adversity, academics, life direction, etc.)

• Try to avoid generic introductions. Personalize the introduction and make it unique and interesting.

• Let your narrative unfold naturally, immersing the reader in your journey while connecting it to a broader theme.

• This is your opportunity to expand on your experiences, personal qualities, leadership roles, challenges, and other defining moments in your life.

  -You can also highlight special recognitions and achievements, both in and out of school. -

  -However, keep in mind that these may already be covered in other parts of your application.

• Some students adopt a creative approach, weaving a story or metaphor to unify key life themes or personality traits.

  -Prioritize authenticity while making the most of your brainstormed ideas.

• Some students have encountered significant adversity. Adversity offers a powerful way to showcase your resilience and ability to overcome challenges.

• While it is ok to show hardship in your essay, you will want to avoid strong emotional release, similar to what one might do in a counseling session.

**Instead you want your essay to show the work that you have put into overcoming challenges or even where you are currently implementing strategies to do so.

• It is best to maintain an air of positivity and growth. Remember that highlighting negative personal attributes will not benefit your application positively or improve your chances of a higher score.

• Value is placed on an overall cohesive and connected application.

  -For example, if you are interested in an engineering major but discuss your painting skills throughout your essay, there is a disconnect in the theme, making it harder to establish a strong connection to your intended major.

  -So, make sure to put thought into how you can tie personal hobbies like art back into the creative process of an engineering major.

• For example: 

  “My creativity and artistic abilities have developed throughout my lifetime, and more recently I have focused on drawing prototypes for robotics in biomedical devices for amputees.” 

• Now a clear connection between your artistic abilities and a desire to apply those skills to an engineering major is evident.

• Elaborate on points that might contribute to a holistic review, such as leadership, overcoming adversity, academics, perseverance, maturity, community involvement, cultural experiences, or personal growth.

• Emphasize areas where your application might be weaker, subtly reinforcing your strengths to avoid redundancy.

• Consider concluding your essay by reflecting on the lessons you've learned and how your experiences may shape your future.

• Additionally, you can also discuss how your future goals may create a positive impact on others or strengthen your community.

• You may also choose a few closing sentences that connect back to your introduction, leaving a strong and memorable impression on the reader.