If you’re looking for help with college essays, you already understand how important this piece of the application truly is. It’s not just about writing polished paragraphs. It’s about helping your teen tell a story that admissions officers will remember.
In today’s ultra-competitive college admissions landscape, the personal essay is more than just another box to check. It’s one of the few opportunities your teen has to truly stand out.
Admissions officers read thousands of applications filled with similar GPAs and test scores. What makes one student memorable over another? From my years of work in admissions, I can tell you that it’s often the essay.
A well-crafted college essay brings your teen’s personality, values, and potential in a way no transcript can. It shows they can reflect, communicate clearly, and think deeply about what matters to them.
In this blog, I’m sharing some of the same tips I give my students in our college consulting program to help with college essays.
My Go-To Advice for Writing a Standout College Essay
1. Make sure you understand the prompt. One common complaint I hear from admission officers is that students aren’t addressing the prompt. Read the essay question carefully to understand what it requires. Here are the Common App prompts for 2025-2026. Stay on topic throughout your essay.
2. Capture the reader’s attention in the first sentence. Your reader is likely reviewing hundreds of essays. If you start with a bold hook or statement, it will entice them to read more!
3. Be authentic. Tell the reader who you are, not what you think they want you to be. It’s ok to be honest. Show your growth, curiosity, or resilience. The reader needs to hear your voice in the essay.
Don’t worry about complex sentences or impressive vocabulary. Write naturally. Your essay can be funny if that’s your personality. Just be YOU!
What is it that makes you unique? What can you bring to the table (campus)? Tell a story that nobody else is going to tell. Ask yourself, could somebody else tell the same story? If so, then you need to add more details to make it your own. If you can’t find enough detail, then choose a different topic.
4. Use descriptive language. Try not to repeat information that’s already on your application. You can expand on an activity that you have listed on your application, but make sure you provide details and stick to one topic.
If it makes sense within the context of the essay, give your story a twist or reveal something unexpected.
Your story should only account for about 10% of your essay. Why it matters should account for 90% of your essay.
5. Stay focused and clear. Don’t write about your entire life. Just focus on one particular experience and make sure you stay within the word limit. It’s usually around 650 words for the Common App.
6. Proofread, revise, and proofread some more! Your first draft is never your best. Read it out loud and have others review it, such as your parents, teachers, college counselor, etc.
7. Start early. As a college consultant working with students at Educational Connections, I encourage all rising seniors to write their essays over the summer before 12th grade begins. Starting early means less stress in the fall and more time to craft something truly compelling.
What Admissions Officers Don’t Want to Read About
1. Generic topics. So many essays have been written about mission trips and sports accomplishments (or injuries!). If you choose to write about these topics because they’re important to you, focus on the part of the story that reveals something deeply personal or unusual. If you write about a mission trip, don’t just talk about how you “helped others.” Instead, focus on what you learned from the experience.
2. Hot topics/controversial issues, such as politics or religion. If an opinion or idea is an important part of who you are, don’t be afraid to write about it, but be sure to be respectful of both sides of an issue. Remember, regardless of your individual opinions, your essay is a professional document. You don’t know the position of the person reading your essay.
3. Loss or hardship. It’s okay to write about a tragedy or devastating event, but the focus should be on how you grew from it, not just what happened. Admissions officers are looking for resilience, insight, and personal growth. Be sure your essay reflects how the experience shaped your perspective or values, rather than dwelling solely on the hardship itself.
Get Expert Help with College Essays and the Entire Application Process
If you’d like personalized support, I’m here to help! Schedule a free call with one of our Educational Specialists to discuss our one-on-one college consulting program and how I’ll help with college essays and guide them through each step of the college admissions process.