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Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering the Video Essay for College Applications

Stefani H.

Table of contents

Have you made up your mind about the college you want to attend yet? If so, the next step is to start the application process. In this stage, you may be required to record an introductory video to tell the admissions committee a little about yourself.

Most colleges are now veering from traditional written essays to video essays as part of the application process. Therefore, you need to master the art of writing an effective video essay that you’ll use to record your college application video.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to write a winning video essay for college applications to take you a step closer to admission.

What is a video essay?

A video essay is a 2-5 minute video recording that allows students to showcase their personality and convince the admission committee to accept them into the college. It’s an innovative way for prospective students to show their creativity and communication skills beyond the traditional written application.

Since they are visual, video essays allow candidates to express themselves and make a lasting impression. They can cover a wide range of topics, such as the student’s background, values, interests, and experiences.

Compelling video essays allow college applicants to differentiate themselves from the competition and increase their chances of securing a place at their dream institution.

What makes a good video essay?

A good video essay should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and future aspirations. It should showcase your ability to express your ideas clearly while also providing a glimpse into your character and personality. Creativity, storytelling, and attention to detail are all essential components, as they paint a vivid picture of who you are.

How long should my video essay be?

The ideal length of a video essay depends on the specific requirements of the college. Most colleges will require you to keep it 2-3 minutes long. However, it’s important to pay close attention to the guidelines of the college you’re applying to. And remember, quality is key over quantity.

9-step guide to writing a video essay for college applications

A video essay is your chance to make a lasting impression as to why you are a good fit for the college. So, it’s important to know how to craft the perfect one.

What should be included in a college application video?

A college application essay and personal statement should focus on your background, experiences, and passions. Consider your personal story and how it sets you apart. Also, identify what aspects about you would contribute to the college's community and your long-term goals after finishing your studies at the college.

Here’s how you can write a video essay in nine steps, along with useful examples.

Step #1 - Select a suitable topic

Once you’ve understood the instructions, choose a specific topic you’ll be addressing in the video. Though some colleges will give you a topic to talk about, most of them will give you the freedom to select your essay topic of interest.

Think about what will best represent who you are as an individual and what makes you want to attend this particular college.

Your topic should be interesting, original, and unique. After all, admissions officers will see hundreds of other video applications, so yours needs to stand out!

Step #2 - Outline your talking points

Now that you know what topic(s) you’ll address in your video essay, create an outline of your talking points. This is an organized list of the main points you’ll cover in your video essay.

Your video essay should be well-organized and follow a clear and logical structure.

This will help you create a strong narrative that carries the viewer from beginning to end.

Remember to include any anecdotes or story highlights that may help you illustrate a point. An effective outline will help keep your thoughts organized when writing your video essay.

Step #3 - Open with a strong hook

The fun part is here – it's time to write down your video essay for college application. This is where all those talking points you wrote in the outline come into play.

The opening moments of your video essay can make or break your impression. To engage your audience from the start, make sure you open with a captivating hook that will catch the viewer's curiosity.

This could be a compelling question, an interesting anecdote, or a short personal story. Remember, you only have a few seconds to grab the attention of the busy admission committee - so make them count!

Example of an opening hook:

“One unforgettable winter in my seventh grade, my mother's battle with alcoholism reached a shocking peak when she attempted to take her life. As I visited her in the psychiatric ward, I couldn't help but battle with emotions and questions about her heart-wrenching decision. The twists and turns of these events profoundly influenced both my personal and professional growth. It ultimately led me to pursue a career in psychology.”

Step #4 - Introduce yourself

Once you've hooked your viewers, give a brief and genuine introduction of who you are. Mention your name, where you come from, your educational background, and your interests. 

This is your chance to establish a memorable connection with the viewers, so let your authentic self shine.

Step #5 - Identify the course you’d like to study

Next, explain the major or program you want to pursue at college and elaborate on why it appeals to you. Also, identify what motivated you to pursue that particular course. This shows the college that you have a clear educational vision and are passionate about your chosen field.

Step #6 - Explain your reasons for joining college

Now that the committee knows about you and your goals tell them why their institution is the best fit for you. Highlight specific features that attracted you to their program, whether it’s the extracurricular opportunities, prestigious faculty members, or campus culture.

You could also mention alumni success stories or the college's unique facilities that make you want to study there.

“My desire to join the University of Manchester started when I participated in their graduate school visitation program right after high school. During the program, I learned more about the Department of Psychology and met the wonderful lecturers. I also interacted with some alumni who applauded my career choice. The experience made me see how my interests aligned with those of this particular school.”

Step #7 - Explain the skills and values you bring

Next, sell yourself by emphasizing your unique qualities and values that would positively impact the college community. For instance, you can talk about your passion for learning, your strong work ethic, your ability to collaborate with others, or your dedication to making a difference in the college.

You can also mention your skills in extracurricular activities like sports or arts that you’ll use to impact the college culture.

“Throughout high school, I’ve always been a highly disciplined student with the desire to excel in everything I do. I also have a collaborative spirit and a strong will to help my fellow students succeed. My effective communication and interpersonal skills will help me to collaborate with fellow students to make the college highly accommodative for all students.”

Step #8 - Explain what you want to achieve in the end

Lastly, go beyond the degree and paint a picture of your long-term goals. Explain what you want to achieve after college and the impact you hope to make on the world.

Also, let the admission committee understand how your education will empower your personal and professional growth and how your experiences at college will propel you toward those dreams.

“At the end of my learning period at the college, I hope to participate in community-based programs to provide viable solutions for issues affecting mental health. Will also use my knowledge and skills to build a mental health facility to encourage mental wellness and inspire young professionals who would like to take the same career path.”

Step #9 - Review and polish

Once you’ve finished writing the video essay, it's important to spend time reviewing and editing your work. Correct poor sentence structures and double-check to ensure you’ve included all the essential information according to the essay prompt.

You can also share it with a trusted friend or family member to get valuable feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Key takeaway

Unlike a written essay, a video essay provides an opportunity to show your personality and let the admissions committee know who you are. It’s an opportunity to use your individual story to pique their interests.

Writing a winning video essay for a college application requires confidence and enthusiasm. With some preparation and creativity, you can craft an interesting essay that sets you apart from other applicants for college acceptance.

Half your work is done when you have a solid video essay script. Writers Per Hour’s team of expert writers can help you write a 100% original college application video essay script that presents your candidature, showcases your personality, and demonstrates your enthusiasm to join the university.

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Tips on How to Create a College Video Response 

college application video essay

Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

Learn about our editorial policies

college application video essay

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Tips on How to Create a College Video Response 

A college video response should not be looked upon as a way out of writing a college application essay. In fact, a video response still requires you to do largely the same thing: put your best self forward. For some students, creating a video response has definite advantages. So, let’s explore how you can ace those college video responses! 

Verify the guidelines 

The most important thing to do before starting your college video response is to verify that you are familiar with the guidelines you need to follow. Read the directions, and if there are example videos, take the time to watch them. 

Note any directions such as time limits, questions you need to answer, and whether added materials must be submitted with the video. Once you know what is needed on your end, you can begin to craft your video response!  

Related: How to respond to the Common App essay prompts

Responding to prompts

Depending on the college(s) you apply to, this answer will certainly vary. Below are two separate sections to give you some guidance on how to answer specific essay prompts and how to answer the prompts that give you a bit more creative control.  

For specific prompts 

For specific prompts that you need to respond to, the college video essay would function much like an essay. The video ideally should allow the admissions team to get to know you and what makes you a good fit for their school. 

As we mentioned before, completing a college video doesn’t mean that you get to escape writing the essay! It is still a great idea to write it out as an essay to begin with. This should help you organize your thoughts and map out what you will, or won’t, have time to talk about in your video.

Check out: College essay primer: show, don’t tell  

For open prompts 

If the college you are applying to offers you the chance to send a video that doesn’t require a response to a specific question, you have a unique opportunity. You will be able to choose what you think this college should know about you. However, with great opportunities comes great responsibility.  

There are two sets of points below to help you start thinking about what you should talk about. The first set of points explores what the college will want to know about. These points are based on general areas that colleges tend to be interested in knowing about their students. It’s important to think about the college you are applying to as well and what things they value in addition to these points.  

What they might want to know  

  • Colleges want to hear about why you are interested in their school. Instead of listing their resources and great professors, explain how they will help you become a successful college graduate 
  • Colleges look for students that will be diligent, but also be engaged in the community and student body via sports, clubs, internships and other extracurricular activities. Share with them what things you enjoy outside of school, as well as how you plan to be a student committed to your studies 
  • Finally, colleges do obviously care about test scores and grades, but they also understand that students are far more than just their academics. They understand that you have goals, plans, and dreams that you wish to achieve. Share those goals with them. Even if you are confident that your goals will change along the way, that is okay  

This next set of points is about what you want the college to know about you. You have free reign in this scenario. So, it is up to you to decide what you think is most important about you.  

What you might want them to know  

  • Think about your prospective major. Is there a story that you would like to share about how you came to choose that major? Or perhaps you are undecided and would like to talk about your plans to work on narrowing your interests during your first year at college 
  • Experiences are a wonderful thing to share with colleges. If there is something that you have gone through that you think would be relevant to your college experience, share that with the admissions board. A word of caution though, while stories are a great way to tell someone something about yourself, the key is making sure that what you are sharing is relevant to the situation
  • Finally, knowing what the college you are applying to values and may be known for, think about any connections you would like to draw between them and why you think you may be a good fit for their campus  

Also see: College applications: what looks good  

How to start 

Whether or not you need to take time to introduce yourself and state things like your hometown, intended major, and age is up to you. Introducing yourself takes time that you may not have. Your name and other basic information will already be on your application, so it may not be worth repeating if it isn’t necessary. 

Starting off with a casual greeting and your name should be a sufficient introduction. Then you can say the topic you plan to discuss or reiterate the prompt you were asked to segue into the heart of your video.  There really is no right or wrong way to start your video. The important thing is that you answer the questions they have asked you and let yourself shine through.  

Also see: Top video scholarships

Write a script  

Writing a script just means planning out what you want to say in advance. You don’t need to write out what you want to say word for word, but having a vague outline may help you stay on track with your video.  

Time will most likely be something that you will have to be very conscious about. Most college video essays will only give you one to two minutes to share what you would like. An average person speaks roughly 100-125 words per minute, meaning you’ll have roughly enough space to share a 250 word essay response. This isn’t a whole lot of words to share who you are with a college.  

If you do write out a script, be careful that you don’t begin to sound robotic. A college knows that video responses can be a bit nerve racking, but they also don’t want that to keep you from being genuinely you.  

Scenery 

Everything in your video is a way to convey more about yourself. With limited time, you should take advantage of everything you have to show off who you are. You have the creative freedom to film your video wherever you think shows off who you are most.  

Inside, outside, in your room, at a coffee shop, at a sports practice, the choice is up to you! If you have the time, try filming your response in more than one location to find out what works best. Just make sure that you can be clearly seen and heard in your video!  

Review, review, review  

We can’t emphasize enough that before you send your video off, you should double and triple check that all the mechanics are working well! If possible, send your video to a few friends and ask them to review both the content and the technical side of things. Making sure that they can do things like access the file and hear you clearly.  

Keep it engaging  

One of the keys to a good college video essay is keeping your listener engaged. This is something that is also true for written college essays. So, before you begin to overthink how you will keep a viewer engaged, let’s take some of the concepts we already know and some new ones and apply them to a video response.  

Be concise 

If you can say what you need to in 100 words instead of 200, that’s great! The goal of a college application is to convey who you are, not for you to meet a word count. Keep this in mind as you try to create an engaging video. Long videos with lots of speaking may become a bit monotonous for viewers.  

Visual elements 

This ties back to our point about scenery that we mentioned earlier. Having a pristine white or plain color background may feel desirable at first, but having some visual elements behind you could help keep your audience engaged. If you have time, you can film your video a few times with various visual elements to make sure they don’t take away from you as the subject. 

Dress the part 

Again, like scenery, you may want to keep it simple and clean, but that’s not always the best choice. Clothing is a great way to show off something that matters to you or convey a bit of your personality. 

Perhaps one of your parents is an alum of this school and you want to wear one of their sweatshirts with the school’s name on it or mascot. If you are part of any clubs at your high school, maybe you want to wear spirit wear from that.  

Look clean and prepared, but also have fun with what you wear! Clothing is a visual element, so take full advantage of it! 

Editing software  

Quality of content is more important than quality of video. A college cares much more about seeing a student shine through in a video that is a bit grainy, versus a video that is pristine, but gives them little information about the student. That being said, try and put forth the best quality video you can. 

Most basic video editing software available on your computer, tablet, or phone should be more than sufficient to help polish your video. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends or parents for help. And of course, take advantage of YouTube tutorials and other articles that can help give you tips about how to use video editing software.  

Frequently asked questions about creating college video responses

How should you introduce yourself in a college video essay, do colleges accept video essays in place of written essays, can i send a video with my application just because i’d like to, scholarships360 recommended.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 177 college essay examples for 11 schools + expert analysis.

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College Admissions , College Essays

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The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

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Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

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Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

  • 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

  • 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
  • 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
  • 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
  • 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
  • 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

  • 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
  • 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
  • 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
  • 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
  • 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
  • 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
  • 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

  • 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

  • 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

  • 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
  • 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

  • 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
  • 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
  • 10 Harvard essays from 2023
  • 10 Harvard essays from 2022
  • 10 Harvard essays from 2021
  • 10 Harvard essays from 2020
  • 10 Harvard essays from 2019
  • 10 Harvard essays from 2018
  • 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

  • 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

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Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

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Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

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Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

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An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

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Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

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An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

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Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
  • Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
  • Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
  • Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

body-gears-cogs-puzzle-cc0

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

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What's Next?

Still not sure which colleges you want to apply to? Our experts will show you how to make a college list that will help you choose a college that's right for you.

Interested in learning more about college essays? Check out our detailed breakdown of exactly how personal statements work in an application , some suggestions on what to avoid when writing your essay , and our guide to writing about your extracurricular activities .

Working on the rest of your application? Read what admissions officers wish applicants knew before applying .

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Dartmouth College Supplemental Essays

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Dartmouth College Supplemental Essays

Dartmouth College is one of the most competitive schools in the country, and every year admissions officers are faced with countless applications from eager students looking to make the cut. Dartmouth's supplemental essay prompts are an opportunity for applicants to distinguish themselves from their peers. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the seven Dartmouth College supplemental essay prompts, so you can draft your responses with confidence.

4 Types of Essay Prompts to Expect from Military Academy Applications

4 Types of Essay Prompts to Expect from Military Academy Applications

Whether you’re applying to the United States Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, or West Point Military Academy, you can anticipate penning responses to these four types of essay prompts. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the four most common Military application essay categories!

How to Respond to College Essay Prompts About Diversity and Inclusivity

How to Respond to College Essay Prompts About Diversity and Inclusivity

Many colleges and universities have started asking applicants to respond to prompts that ask them about their experiences with diversity, inclusion, and equity. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the popular new supplemental essay prompt.

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Southern California (USC) Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Southern California (USC) Essays | CEA

So, we just have to say it: the USC application is kind of all over the place! You’ll be asked about everything from your academic interests to your life's theme song, so make sure to tighten the straps on your brainstorming helmet. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to show you how to use every essay as an opportunity to showcase something different about yourself!

Guide to the 2020-21 University of California Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 University of California Essays | CEA

For the UC application, the rules may be unfamiliar but the game is the same: tell admissions something they don’t know, and then do it three more times! A strategic applicant will choose an amalgam of prompts that highlight vastly different aspects of their life and personality, leaving an admissions officer with a deep and complete picture of who they are. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you avoid getting hung up on trying to find the questions admissions "wants" you to answer -- with each essay, your goal isn’t just to answer the question, but to tell a very short story about yourself!

Guide to the 2020-21 Georgetown University Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 Georgetown University Essays | CEA

Since it's not on the Common App, Georgetown requires some extra special attention when it comes to its supplemental essay requirements! Luckily, our Founder and Chief Advisor Stacey Brook is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and discuss the motivation behind them. Take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice!

Guide to the 2020-21 Harvard University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 Harvard University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Harvard University is one of the most competitive schools in the country, and every year admissions officers are faced with countless applications from eager students looking to make the cut. As a result, Harvard's supplemental essay prompts are diverse and complex, to allow students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from their peers. If you're feeling overwhelmed, fear not! CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the Harvard essays so you can hit submit with confidence.

Guide to the 2020-21 Stanford University Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 Stanford University Essays | CEA

The Stanford University application is nothing short of a doozie -- no less than EIGHT essays of varying lengths for students to answer and submit! To help you tackle this beast, our Founder and Chief Advisor Stacey Brook has created this video guide to walk you through each of the prompts, and give you the tips and tricks you need to make an impression on admissions.

Guide to the 2020-21 Boston University Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 Boston University Essays | CEA

The Boston University essay requirements are a gift to students: two of the most straightforward prompts you could ask for, and only one of them is required! Of course, our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, doesn't believe that any essay is truly optional, so make sure you're taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speak to admissions in your own voice. Plan ahead, pay attention to the questions, and above all don't wait until the last minute to start your work!

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Michigan Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Michigan Essays | CEA

We know that submitting your application to the University of Michigan can cause some serious stress. Thankfully, this year Michigan only requires two supplemental essays instead of three! Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and provide you with tips and tricks to help you showcase yourself to admissions using your own unique voice.

Guide to the 2020-21 New York University Supplemental Essay | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 New York University Supplemental Essay | CEA

New York University (NYU) asks undergraduate applicants to write one supplemental essay (prompt in description below) on top of their Common App personal statement. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to craft a winning response!

Guide to the 2020-21 Brown University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Guide to the 2020-21 Brown University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Applying to an Ivy League institution, such as Brown University, can be incredibly stressful! Luckily for you, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through Brown's four (4) supplemental essay prompts.

Are “Optional” College Essay Prompts Really Optional?

Are “Optional” College Essay Prompts Really Optional?

Every year, colleges and universities around the world offer applicants the opportunity to respond to "optional" supplemental essay questions...But are these prompts truly optional? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, lets you in on a college admissions secret.

The Expert’s Guide to Finding Sneaky Supplemental Essays

The Expert’s Guide to Finding Sneaky Supplemental Essays

There's probably a section of the Common Application that says "Writing", in which all of the supplemental essays live, right? WRONG! Supplements can be found in a variety of places and can sneak up on students who have spent months preparing to submit their applications. Don't let that be you! This video will detail the several different places where you can find supplemental essays.

How to Write Vanderbilt University’s “Extracurricular Activities” Essay

How to Write Vanderbilt University’s “Extracurricular Activities” Essay

Vanderbilt University's supplement consists of one prompt (text below). CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you take full advantage of this opportunity to illuminate your leadership skills or personal values for admissions.

The College Application ‘Activity’ and ‘Community’ Essays: What You Need to Know

The College Application ‘Activity’ and ‘Community’ Essays: What You Need to Know

Want the key to writing the most important and pervasive school-specific supplemental essays? We've got the tips and tricks you need to conquer the ever-popular "Activity" and "Community" supplements so you can showcase for admissions how you spend your time, where you feel like you belong and what truly motivates you to action. Assigned by schools like Harvard, Stanford, The University of Michigan and so many more, mastering these supplemental essays will ensure you utilize every opportunity a school's application provides to showcase your strengths.

What is a Supplemental Essay?

What is a Supplemental Essay?

Most supplemental essay prompts are designed to both gauge a student’s interest and determine where a student might fit into a school’s particular community. Typically, these essays focus more specifically on future academic and professional goals, school-related activities and a student's role in your current community than the Common App's personal statement. Watch this video for a short and sweet introduction to supplemental essays. Know what you're up against!

How to Write a Powerful “Why Do You Want to Go Here?” Essay (The Why Essay)

How to Write a Powerful “Why Do You Want to Go Here?” Essay (The Why Essay)

The Why Essay takes on many forms and can ask many questions: What will you do when you get here? How will you take advantage of all the resources our school has to offer? How will the school support your academic or professional goals? How do your past experiences or future goals support these claims? It’s likely that many schools to which you apply will as the Why question in slightly different ways (and with a WIDE range of word limits). This video will teach you everything you need to know about how to respond to the "Why do you want to go here?" essay.

How to Respond to Quirky, Odd, and Bizarre College Essay Prompts

How to Respond to Quirky, Odd, and Bizarre College Essay Prompts

There are certain schools, like the University of Chicago, who have always taken special pride in developing crafty questions for their applicants to answer. In recent years, more schools are jumping on the bandwagon, luring students to their applications with questions like “What does #YOLO mean to you” (Tufts, 2013). This is both fun and exhausting for applicants who are grateful for an injection of modern, quirky inspiration, but whose creative wells may be running dry. This video will get down to the bottom line: Why are schools asking these questions and what are they looking for in applicants' responses?

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston University (with Winning Supplemental Essays)!

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston University (with Winning Supplemental Essays)!

The Boston University application supplement is a gift: two of the most straightforward prompts you could ask for, and only one of them is required [full prompts below]. But beware, a simple supplement is no reason to ignore a school or save it until the last minute. In fact, it means you have no excuse not to nail your essay, so pay attention and do your work!

How to Write the “Why NYU?” Essay

How to Write the “Why NYU?” Essay

New York University (NYU) asks undergraduate applicants to pen one supplemental essay (prompt below) in addition to the personal statement. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to draft a compelling response.

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston College (with a Winning Supplemental Essay)!

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston College (with a Winning Supplemental Essay)!

Boston College asks students to select one prompt (out of four) to respond to in 400 words or less (prompts below). So what will you write about? Art, community, a contemporary problem, or character formation? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you all the information you need to select a prompt and write an amazing supplemental essay.

How to Write Fantastic Application Essays for the University of Georgia

How to Write Fantastic Application Essays for the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia asks students to write two application essays of 200-300 words. The first prompt is set in stone, and for the second essay, applicants can choose one of four prompts to respond to [prompts below]. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about choosing and responding to these prompts for UGA. Let's begin!

How to Write Short Answers and the Additional Info Essay

How to Write Short Answers and the Additional Info Essay

The challenge of short answer questions lies half in generating honest, unique and clever ideas, and the other in being concise. The purpose of additional info essays is to provide admissions with an explanation for a drop in grades, low test scores, or prolonged absences. Both of these essay types need to be handled with care -- and that's exactly what this video will show you how to do.

How to Get Into University of Texas: Austin (with Great Application Essays!)

How to Get Into University of Texas: Austin (with Great Application Essays!)

The University of Texas: Austin application is a beast unto itself, with a slew of essay prompts (full text below) that ask you to dig into all aspects of your life. From your home life to your future plans, you're going to have to tell all -- and in a way that sets you apart! Luckily CEA's Founder, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the prompts so you're ready to tackle anything Texas' independent platform throws at you.

How to Get Into Emory University (With Amazing Supplemental Essays!)

How to Get Into Emory University (With Amazing Supplemental Essays!)

Emory University asks first-year applicants to write two (2) essays in addition to the personal statement. Applicants must choose one prompt from the "Reflections" category and one prompt from the "Tell us about you" category. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about choosing and responding to these prompts. Let's begin!

How To Answer Supplemental Application Questions: “Why Do You Want To Go Here?”

How To Answer Supplemental Application Questions: “Why Do You Want To Go Here?”

These days, most colleges and universities require supplemental applications in addition to the Common Application. You could be looking at a list of 10+ supplemental essays, so we made you a quick guide to the most common supplemental question: "Why do you want to go here?"

Guide to the 2018-19 Northwestern University Supplemental Essay

Guide to the 2018-19 Northwestern University Supplemental Essay

Are you planning to apply to Northwestern University? The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into Northwestern's supplemental essay prompt so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

Guide to the 2018-19 University of Michigan Essays

Guide to the 2018-19 University of Michigan Essays

Submitting your college application to the University of Michigan can be a real nail-biter. Michigan requires three supplemental essays. The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

How to Get Into UNC (With a Great Essay)

How to Get Into UNC (With a Great Essay)

UNC is well-known for being the first public university in the United States and a leader in innovative teaching strategies. The school is also known for receiving many college applications, which means it is crucial for applicants to differentiate themselves in their essays. Luckily for UNC hopefuls, the university gives students two additional supplemental prompts to respond to in order to set themselves apart from the sea of similarly qualified applicants and increase their chances of getting into UNC. College Essay Advisors Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the UNC supplemental prompts so you know which essays will showcase your best attributes!

Guide to the 2017-2018 Duke University Supplemental Essays

Guide to the 2017-2018 Duke University Supplemental Essays

Submitting your college application to Duke University can be a real nail-biter. Although it's probably too late now to tweak your test scores or GPA, you can make sure that your college application essays will bring you admissions success! Duke requires one supplemental short answer and gives students the opportunity to respond to two optional prompts. The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

Guide to the 2017-2018 Harvard University Supplemental Essay

Guide to the 2017-2018 Harvard University Supplemental Essay

Harvard University is one of the most competitive schools in the country. Every year admissions officers are bombarded with applications from eager students looking to make the cut. Thus, Harvard has a supplement to give students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. Writing supplemental essays can be daunting, but luckily for you, College Essay Advisors founder (and admissions expert) Stacey Brook is here to break down the Harvard supplement so you can hit submit with confidence.

Resumes and Cover Letters

Four Steps to a Polished and Professional Cover Letter

Four Steps to a Polished and Professional Cover Letter

If you’re wondering how you can write the kind of cover letter that grabs your potential employer’s attention and lands you an interview, you’ve come to the right place. In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, presents four steps to drafting a polished and professional cover letter, and how to take full advantage of the opportunity to introduce yourself to the hiring committee.

How Much Should Your Resume and Cover Letter Overlap?

How Much Should Your Resume and Cover Letter Overlap?

While your resume is meant to present a broad overview of your professional and relevant experience, your cover letter seeks to enhance your application by highlighting the specific elements of your resume that stand out for the particular job/role in question.

How to Write Strong Activity Descriptions for College Applications

How to Write Strong Activity Descriptions for College Applications

Both the Common Application and UC Application provide space for applicants to list and describe the extracurricular activities they participated in throughout their academic careers. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, give you the tools you need to make the most out of your activity descriptions.

College Application Deadlines

The Single Choice Early Action Loophole You Need to Know About!

The Single Choice Early Action Loophole You Need to Know About!

Many applicants think that applying Single Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action is basically the same as applying Early Decision—and they could not be more wrong!! CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to fill you in on the Restrictive Early Action/Single Choice Early Action loophole all applicants should know about!

The Secret Regarding Early College Application Deadlines

The Secret Regarding Early College Application Deadlines

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to set the record straight regarding how much time you really have before submitting your Early Action and/or Early Decision applications this fall.

College Application Deadlines 101: Early Decision, Early Action, Rolling, and more!

College Application Deadlines 101: Early Decision, Early Action, Rolling, and more!

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action? What is Single Choice Early action? Is there really an advantage to applying early? What does “rolling” admission actually mean? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, has all the answers.

  • College Essay Examples

Is your College Essay Cliché?

Is your College Essay Cliché?

Applicants often choose to write about cliché subjects because they THINK the resulting essays present the kinds stories admissions officers want to read. To the contrary, jumping on an essay cliché bandwagon can make it nearly impossible for an admissions officer to distinguish you from your closest competition. In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor presents The Cliché Quiz.

Successful College Essay Examples: The Nature Painter

Successful College Essay Examples: The Nature Painter

Many students find it helpful to familiarize themselves with successful college essays to better understand what it looks like (or sounds like) when it's done right. There are so many different ways to write a great college essay, so don't feel confined to any formula, structure, approach, or tone. In this essay, our student showcases his love of science and nature by explaining the importance of having the right tools, both as humans and in nature at large. He gained acceptance to Yale University, Stanford, Harvard.

College Essay Examples: How to Write About Another Person While Still Making the Essay About You

College Essay Examples: How to Write About Another Person While Still Making the Essay About You

So you want to write your college essay about a person who is very important to you and has shaped the person you've become today, but you are nervous that the essay won't say enough about you as the applicant (after all, your grandma isn't applying to college, you are!). We totally get it. Tons of students run into this issue. That's why we're sharing one of our favorite essays, written by a student we're referring to as "What Makes a Woman." This student masters the art of writing about another person's struggles, while reflecting on her own obstacles, perceptions, and identity.

College Essay Examples: Pulling Your Reader in From the Start

College Essay Examples: Pulling Your Reader in From the Start

So you're reading successful college essays and they sound awesome...but what's the use of a great essay if you don't understand which defining features make the essay sparkle? In this video, we will be exploring TWO successful college essay examples, both of which are great examples of how to pull a reader into your story using visuals, intrigue/suspense, and maybe a little bit of humor.

College Essay Examples: How to Incorporate Dialogue into Your Essay

College Essay Examples: How to Incorporate Dialogue into Your Essay

One way to pull a reader into your essay from the very beginning is to start with dialogue. Many students don’t even consider adding an outdated adage from a parent or a hilarious crack from a high school coach to break up their prose, set the scene or build the profiles of their stories’ characters. And yet, dialogue is one of those devices that can give you a lot of bang for your buck, delivering a punch of personality or a wallop of context using just a few carefully culled utterances. Here is one successful example of how a student uses dialogue to immerse her reader in her essay. We call this applicant, "In The Car with Mom."

College Essay Examples: Writing About a Background, Identity, or Interest

College Essay Examples: Writing About a Background, Identity, or Interest

Many students choose to respond to the Common Application's first prompt (listed below) for their personal statement. This student (who we're referring to as The Nike Jordans), is one of them. In her essay, she writes about her background in a way that invites the reader to step into her shoes in order to learn more about her character, outlook, and personality. She gained acceptance to Princeton, MIT, U Chicago, and Columbia, among others.

College Essay Examples: Challenging a Belief or Idea (with Humility)

College Essay Examples: Challenging a Belief or Idea (with Humility)

In this essay, a student we're referring to as The Graduation Speaker, answers Common Application prompt #3. ("Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?") His essay is a fantastic example of how to approach this prompt with humility, wit, and likability. He submitted this essay as his personal statement and received acceptance to Stanford, Yale, Dartmouth, Duke, and UCLA.

Brainstorming Tips

How to Write a Great Transfer Essay

How to Write a Great Transfer Essay

The transfer essay presents new hurdles that differ from those of the standard freshman personal statement. There are three key steps you must take to master the transfer essay. Luckily for you, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to write a fantastic transfer application essay!

How to Tell a Unique Story to Admissions

How to Tell a Unique Story to Admissions

What is the Personal Statement?

What is the Personal Statement?

Since more colleges see the Common App’s personal statement than any other individual essay, this component of the application is where you want to unleash your very best ideas. But what does a personal statement entail? And how do you write a successful one? This video will address those questions and more!

How Important is the College Essay?

How Important is the College Essay?

Why does the college essay matter? And how can you use this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice to your maximum advantage? This video will explain it all. Spoiler alert: You need to be authentic and memorable!

Brainstorming for the College Admissions Essay: What You Need to Know

Brainstorming for the College Admissions Essay: What You Need to Know

This video explores one of applicants’ most common college essay concerns: "What on earth should I write about?" Whether you are worried that you have nothing to say (“What if I’m BORING?!”), or too much to cover (“Which of my bazillion accomplishments does admissions want to hear about most?!”), this video will help you take a flying leap into the college essay topic selection process, walking you through our favorite exercises and strategies for identifying your best stories including our signature Backwards Brainstorm and the Full Body Brainstorm.

The Most Common Brainstorming Mistakes Writers Make

The Most Common Brainstorming Mistakes Writers Make

Brainstorming is HARD -- especially when it comes to brainstorming topics for college essays! This video will walk you though the most common brainstorming mistakes writers make, while illustrating how you can generate creative essay topics and ideas in a way that is fun, freeing, and fruitful.

What Admissions Officers Really Want from a College Essay

What Admissions Officers Really Want from a College Essay

Know how long a college admissions officer spends reading your application? How about your essay? This video will lay out all the facts and stats you need to know about the secret lives of admissions officers. With this information in hand, you'll be better prepared to write the kind of essay admissions officers want to read. When it comes to college admissions, knowing your audience is everything.

Latest Videos

What To Do If You’ve Been Deferred By Your Dream School

What To Do If You’ve Been Deferred By Your Dream School

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to offer advice on how to stand out after being deferred to the Regular Decision applicant pool. First, check your dream school's website to find out if they accept Deferral Letters (also known as Letters of Continued Interest). If they do, it's time to get typing.

Why Rejection is Actually Good For You

Why Rejection is Actually Good For You

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, knows that many applicants receive disappointing admissions news around this time of year. She also knows that hearing the word “no” can be the best thing that can happen to us at a young age, and it’s important to remember that multiple paths can bring you to your dream.

College Essay Advisors Reviews: What It’s Like to Work with Us

College Essay Advisors Reviews: What It’s Like to Work with Us

Read reviews from our past clients to learn what it's like to work with College Essay Advisors. Whether you're applying to college as a high school student, or applying to medical school as a recent grad, we can help.

Deferrals and Rejections

How to Write a Successful College Admissions Deferral Letter

How to Write a Successful College Admissions Deferral Letter

The deferral letter is similar in purpose to the waitlist letter. The only difference is the position you’re in, how much time you have to work with, and what other options are on the table for you. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you draft a distinct deferral letter for admissions.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Grad School

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Grad School

When it comes to writing a successful statement of purpose for graduate school, telling a personal story about your goals and ambitions is key. In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, answers frequently asked questions, provides viewers with brainstorming launch pads, and offers insight as to what grad school admissions officers are looking for.

Can A Great College Essay Get You Into College?

Can A Great College Essay Get You Into College?

We've heard this question time and time again, "Can a great college essay get me into college?" There are many factors that go into an admission officer's decision to accept, defer, waitlist, or reject an applicant. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to answer the question once and for all!

How to Create a Winning Activity Resume (for College Applications!)

How to Create a Winning Activity Resume (for College Applications!)

Many schools will ask you for an “activity resume,” and the Coalition and Common Application have separate sections specifically for activities and extracurriculars, so it’s really easy to overthink this piece of the application. If you’ve never written a resume before, getting started can be incredibly daunting, but don't worry -- CEA is here to help!

Unpopular Opinion: What to do When You’re Waitlisted

Unpopular Opinion: What to do When You’re Waitlisted

In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, offers her (unpopular) opinion as to what students should do when waitlisted at their top college or university.

How to Get Off the Waitlist (at your Dream School)!

How to Get Off the Waitlist (at your Dream School)!

Waiting is tough, and it can feel like forever when it comes to college admissions. If you were waitlisted, don't panic; you are not alone. The good news is that you can do something about it. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about getting off the waitlist (and into the college of your dreams)!

How to Write a Unique College Essay About a Grandparent

How to Write a Unique College Essay About a Grandparent

So you just can’t shake the voice in your head telling you to write your college admissions essay about your grandma. We get it, grandparents are awesome! They know so much about you! And you’ve gained so much wisdom from your relationship with them! Writing a great personal statement or supplemental essay about them, however, is tricky. Luckily for you, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you make sure your essay stands out.

10 Things You Should NEVER Write in Your College Essay

10 Things You Should NEVER Write in Your College Essay

In this video, we will walk you through the top 10 DON'Ts of the college admissions essay writing process, so you can submit your Common App personal statement and school-specific supplemental essays with the utmost confidence! This video will teach you: what not to write under any circumstance (or most circumstances), the mistakes applicants make without even realizing, and more!

How to Turn your Outline into a Stellar Essay

How to Turn your Outline into a Stellar Essay

Structuring a winning college admissions essay is hard. Should you start with the ending and then catch the reader up? Or throw them head first into the action and explain later? And where exactly should you put all of great sentences, you've come up with thus far? In this video, we'll teach you everything you need to know about turning your outline into a rough draft!

College Essay Writing Techniques: How to Write a Rough Draft

College Essay Writing Techniques: How to Write a Rough Draft

Not sure what to do with your brainstorming notes and freewriting? This video will show you how to focus on both breadth and depth while writing your Common App personal statement or school-specific supplemental essays. Build a strong foundation for your college essay by watching this tutorial!

Freewriting, Topic Selection, and the First Draft

Freewriting, Topic Selection, and the First Draft

Freewriting is the key to an amazing college application essay - especially the first draft! Fill up you blank page (or text box) with these tips for getting started (and never stopping) on your way to personal statement success.

Freewriting 101: How to Freewrite for Your College Essay

Freewriting 101: How to Freewrite for Your College Essay

Freewriting is, at its core, just as it sounds: the act of writing freely. It is the exercise of jotting down whatever comes to mind, without judgment or worrying about the final product. Because the college admissions essay holds so much weight, many students struggle with the 'no judgement' part. This video will show you how to put your inner critic aside and let the writing flow.

How do You Know When You’ve Found THE Winning Topic? [TAKE THE TEST]

How do You Know When You’ve Found THE Winning Topic? [TAKE THE TEST]

How do you know when you've found THE topic? You know, the topic that will rule all other topics. The one that will make admissions officers laugh or cry...or both? Does your topic have what it takes to make you stand out from a sea of similarly qualified applicants? This video is here to help you put your topic to the test.

How to Begin the College Essay Writing Process

How to Begin the College Essay Writing Process

One of the hardest parts of writing the college application essay is getting started. Where is the best place to begin? What does admissions really want to hear from you? And how do you know if you’re moving in the right direction? We made this video full of helpful tips to help you break through your initial writing blocks and get you on the road to college essay success.

How To Outline Your Personal Statement

How To Outline Your Personal Statement

Extracting a killer college application essay from your notes, brainstorms, and freewrites may seem like a daunting task. You love your topic, but your ideas are scattered. That's why outlining is your friend.

The Trick to Writing an Amazing Opening Line

The Trick to Writing an Amazing Opening Line

The personal statement is a crucial part of your college application, but it won't help you if it bores admissions officers to tears! Learn the do's and don'ts of how to write a powerful opening line that pulls your reader in from the very first word.

How To Write a Memorable Closing Line

How To Write a Memorable Closing Line

Your personal statement should tell a memorable story that admissions officers just can't shake. Your closing line is your final shot to make a lasting impression before your college fate is sealed! The experts at College Essay Advisors have lined up their most essential tips for writing a killer closing line.

Storytelling

College Essay Tips: Strategies for Holding an Admissions Officer’s Attention

College Essay Tips: Strategies for Holding an Admissions Officer’s Attention

Most admissions essay are boring! What can you do to actively pull an admissions officer through your narrative with pointed interest? Are there strategies you can use to push a story forward with a sense of urgency? Of course there are! This video will show you a few of the most effective strategies to capture and keep your reader's attention.

How to Make a College Essay Outline (Before Writing Your Draft)!

How to Make a College Essay Outline (Before Writing Your Draft)!

You have amazing ideas on the page, and now you want to mold these thoughts and concepts into the first semblance of a draft -- but how?! With an outline, of course! If you are equipped with a topic and some freewrites but still don't know how to structure your story, this video will teach you to organize your thoughts into a map that will guide you through the rest of your essay writing process.

How to Find Golden Ideas in your College Essay Freewrites

How to Find Golden Ideas in your College Essay Freewrites

In this video, CEA shows you how to find big patterns in your freewrites and brainstorming notes. Once you identify the prevailing themes and messages in your writing, it's much easier to decide which sentences, ideas, and metaphors will enhance your personal essay and which ones belong on the cutting room floor!

Final Tips for Improving Your College Essay Draft

Final Tips for Improving Your College Essay Draft

This is the expert advice we give to our one-on-one advising clients on how they can find ways to reword and restructure their essays into polished, final drafts worthy of an admissions officer's careful read-through. Don't submit an essay that you haven't edited, revised, and polished!

The Triple Edit: Editing Your College Essay for Intrigue

The Triple Edit: Editing Your College Essay for Intrigue

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Questions to Ask Yourself After You Finish Your Common App Personal Statement

Does your essay check all the college admissions success boxes? Before you put down your pen (or relax your fingers), you are going to want to ask yourself a few questions. This video will walk you through each of these questions and help you find the answers: 1. Will this essay make admissions wish they could meet me in person? Does it inspire them to want to know more about me? 2. Is this essay actually about me? 3. Will anyone else be able to write this essay in the way I wrote it? Would it be crazy to think of someone else claiming my essay as his/her own? 4. What does this essay say about me? What is the ultimate message I am hoping to convey? 5. Do I feel good about this essay? Would I feel proud reading it aloud in front of an audience? Does it represent who I really am?

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What do you do when you have already brainstormed, selected a magic topic, written multiple drafts of your essay, and edited your masterpiece? You review your draft, of course! Over the years, CEA has mastered the art of the review and that's exactly what CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is going to teach you to do in this video from College Essay Advisors.

Dos and Don’ts

CEA’s Tips for Maintaining your Sanity and Combatting Stress During College Application Season

CEA’s Tips for Maintaining your Sanity and Combatting Stress During College Application Season

If you find yourself hyperventilating over your Common Application personal statement or simply want to recharge before diving into your fourth Why essay, give the exercises in this video a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at the power a posture, a few words, or some silence can have on your mentality.

The 10 Things You Must Do to Write a College Essay Worthy of Admission

The 10 Things You Must Do to Write a College Essay Worthy of Admission

In this video, we will walk you through the top 10 DOs of the college admissions essay writing process, a series of tips that will help you write a personal statement that truly makes an impact on admissions officers and helps you gain acceptance to top schools across the country. Learn what you must include in your essay for it to have a powerful impact, surefire ways to get closer to college essay success, and so much more!

Top 10 College Essay Closing Line Dos and Don’ts

Top 10 College Essay Closing Line Dos and Don’ts

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The Most Common Mistakes Students Make in Their College Essays

The Most Common Mistakes Students Make in Their College Essays

The admissions essay is a crucial part of your college application because it is the only chance you have to communicate with admissions officers in your own voice. You need to take advantage of every word at your disposal and send the message that you’re the kind of student that colleges should want on their campus. Over our thirteen years of coaching students through the college essay process, we have identified the most common mistakes students make when writing their college essay. Don’t do these things!

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You Should Never Write This in Your College Essay

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Most Common Essay Topic Mistakes

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How to Ask Your Parents for Help

As you zone in on the topic you want to write about in your college application essays, mine for the details that will bring your story to life. Approach this phase of writing the personal statement as an interview: what kinds of questions would other people ask? How would you answer them?

Coalition App Essay Prompts

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #6: Topic of Your Choice (2022-23)

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #6: Topic of Your Choice (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to talk you through the Coalition App's sixth and final essay prompt.

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Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #5: A Success or Obstacle (2022-23)

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Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #4: An Idea or Belief (2022-23)

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #4: An Idea or Belief (2022-23)

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Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #3: A Positive Impact (2022-23)

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #3: A Positive Impact (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the Coalition App's third essay prompt, so you can write a response worthy of admission.

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #1: A Story From Your Life (2022-23)

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #1: A Story From Your Life (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to explain what the Coalition App's first prompt is REALLY asking and offer some tips and tricks for penning your response.

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Video transcript

How to Write a College Application Essay

Find the right college for you..

Your essay reveals something important about you that your grades and test scores can't─your personality. It can give admissions officers a sense of who you are and showcase your writing ability. Here are some things that admissions officers look for in a personal essay for college.

1. Open Strong.

Knowing how to start a college essay can create a strong opening paragraph that immediately captures the reader’s interest. You want to make the admissions officer reading your essay curious about what you say next.

2. Show You Can Write.

Colleges want to see that you have a command of the basics of good writing, which is a key component of success in college.

3. Answer the Prompt.

Admissions officers also want to see that the student can give a direct answer while sticking to a comprehensive narrative. When writing college essays, consider the point you want to make and develop a fleshed-out response that fits the prompt. Avoid force-fitting prewritten pieces. Approach every personal essay prompt as if it's your first.

4. Stick to Your Style.

Writing college essays isn't about using flowery or verbose prose. Avoid leaning too heavily on the thesaurus to sound impressive. Choose a natural writing style that’s appropriate for the subject matter.

Also, avoid stressing about trying to write what you think colleges want to see. Learning how to draft a good essay for college is about showcasing who you are. Stay true to your voice. Keep in mind that authenticity is more important than anything else.

5. Proofread.

Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are essential. Proofread several times after you've finished. Then ask a teacher, parent, or college English major to give it a quick read as well.

6. Keep Track of Length.

Finally, admissions officers value succinctness. Remember to pay attention to the recommended essay length or word count.

Bonus Tips and College Essay Writing Help

For more on how to write a college essay, check out these Tips for Writing Your College Admissions Essay .

What is the college application essay?

A personal essay for college applications is an opportunity for admission admissions panels to get more insight into who you are and what you have to offer. It's often the most personal component of the application, going beyond grades and standardized test scores. Essays usually have open-ended prompts, allowing you to flex your writing skills and make a personal statement.

Does my college application essay really matter?

Learning how to write a successful essay for college is crucial. This essay's exact weight on your chances of acceptance varies from one school to the next. But it's an element of your application that all admissions teams consider. Your essay could be the thing that gets you off a waiting list or gives you a competitive edge over other applicants.

What are colleges looking for in my application essay?

Knowing what to include in a college essay is half the battle. Admissions teams look for many things, but the most influential are authenticity, writing ability, character details, and positive traits. The purpose of the essay is to shed light on your background and gain perspective on your real-world experiences.

When should I start writing my college essay?

Because you'll want to tailor each application to each school, expect to write multiple personal essays. Advisers typically recommend starting these pieces during the summer before your senior year of high school. This will give you ample time to concentrate on writing a college essay before you're hit with schoolwork.

What can I do to write an effective college essay if I'm not a strong writer?

Good writing skills matter, but the best college essay is about the quality of your response. Authentic stories in a natural voice have impact. The story you want to tell about yourself will work better for you if it’s told in language that’s not overly sophisticated. Work with a writing coach for help with the academic aspects. Make responding with substance a priority.

How can I write my college essay if I have no monumental experiences?

You don't need life-changing moments to impress an admissions panel. Think about your personal experiences. Describe moments that left a lasting impact. The important thing is to have a fleshed-out narrative that provides insight into your life and way of thinking. Some of the best essays revolve around meaningful moments rather than flashy ones.

How should I start brainstorming topics for my college essay?

Most colleges provide open-ended prompts. Using the topic as inspiration, think about critical milestones or essential lessons you learned during your academic career. Tell stories about real-life experiences that have shaped the person you are. Write them down to brainstorm ideas. Choose stories that highlight your best traits.

What is a good list of essay topics to start with? What essay topics should I avoid?

Good topics when writing college essays include personal achievements, meaningful lessons, life-changing challenges, and situations that fostered personal growth. It's best to avoid anything too intimate or controversial. You want to open up, but it's not a good idea to go overboard or alienate members of the admissions panel.

What format should I use for my college essay?

Read the prompt and essay instructions thoroughly to learn how to start off a college essay. Some colleges provide guidance about formatting. If not, the best course of action is to stick with a college standard like the MLA format.

How long should my essay be?

The average length of a personal essay for college is 400─600 words. Always read the prompt. Follow the instructions provided in the application.

Who should I ask to review my college essay?

Turn to your school counselor for review. They understand what college admissions panels are looking for, and they can provide valuable insight into your piece's quality. You can also reach out to English teachers and other educators for proofreading.

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Articles & Advice > College Admission > Blog

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Why It's Smart to Include a Video With Your College Applications

Video applications are a growing trend in college admission. Consider this smart and creative medium for a better chance to get into your dream school!

by Ashley Lipman Content Marketing Specialist

Last Updated: Jan 30, 2024

Originally Posted: Dec 19, 2022

While written applications are still the norm in college admission, many schools are open to supplemental videos or essays. Videos are an engaging visual medium and a powerful way to stand out from other applicants to get into your school of choice. If you see the option to include a video submission, you should seize the opportunity. Here are some compelling reasons why it’s smart to use video in your college applications and how to do it well.

You’ll make a personal connection

There's something to be said for physically seeing another person, even in a pre-recorded video. Being able to see you rather than just reading text will spark a human connection with admission officers. Online disinhibition is a perfect example of the psychology behind this; people often feel more comfortable and safer being rude or sharing things online than they would in person. This is caused by anonymity and a lack of nonverbal cues. While your application essay may strike interest or an emotional connection, it will be more powerful if delivered personally via video.

It’s ideal for strong speakers

Some students are excellent at writing compelling stories with great structure, proper grammar, and a natural flow of thoughts from intro to conclusion. However, many struggle with putting thoughts on paper but excel at verbally telling engrossing stories with emotion, inflection, and tone. If you're better at orating your thoughts and telling interesting stories, video applications are for you. Play to your strengths to increase your chances of admission.

It increases attention and engagement

The college application review process is taxing with a lot of text and reading. Staying attentive can be challenging for admission committees after a certain point—you could be at the end of the pile when an admission rep is burnt out on reviewing. Video content breaks up the monotony and uses audio and visual stimulation to capture the viewer's attention and interest. As application videos aren't yet the norm and still offer novelty, this is a smart and unique way to stand out with your application.

Related: What Do Admission Counselors Look for in College Applications?

Best practices for creating an application video

Creating an application video that resonates with admission officers requires a lot of planning, care, and quality. Consider these best practices when making your application video.

Cater to the college

Craft your videos to appeal to the guidelines and culture of the college. Some institutions will prefer a more formal, interview-style approach, while others will like to see your creativity. For instance, a prospective Art student could create a reverse video showcasing a finished piece becoming a blank page with a voiceover highlighting the opportunity to start fresh and explore their potential. A student with aspirations in Business, Marketing, and Advertising could create a commercial selling themselves as the product. But it's essential to follow directions. If you're applying to a prestigious program, stick to the basics. Also remember to answer all questions asked on the application.

Choose the right surroundings

Film your video against a neutral background with even lighting so it’s visually pleasing but not distracting. The focus should be on you. Set up in a quiet space with minimal background noise and distractions so you can focus on what you’re saying. If you're recording outdoors or moving around, consider using a Bluetooth mic for better audio quality.

Write a script

Outline what you want to say and practice it in the mirror multiple times before recording. The goal isn't to read a script exactly, as that will come off as inauthentic, but to feel confident and organized as you speak. Ultimately, you should watch your video back and feel as though you said everything you needed to say while appearing genuine and passionate about the school you’re applying to.

Related: How to Make a College Application Video That Will Impress

Unless a college explicitly states they require a written essay or don't accept video submissions, it's worth considering this creative medium. You’ll stand out from the rest of the paper applications and showcase yourself fully as a great student and asset to the school. Follow the college guidelines and present your best self to succeed.

Want more college application guidance? Check out our entire collection of college application articles and blogs !

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By The Berkeley MFE Program | Jun 22, 2022 | Applying , STEM , Data Science , MFE , quant finance , graduate studies , video essay

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It is important that we are able to hear and see you. Before you start recording, make sure you are in a quiet space with good lighting. In orde r to minimize distractions, please have a neutral background that isn’t busy with objects or bright colors.

You want to make sure you are in a well lit room. If possible, we recommend recording during the day with natural light. If your space has a window directly behind you, ensure that the shades or curtains are closed.

Check the quality of the device you are recording on. Make sure that your face is fully in frame and visible, and that your audio is clear. You will have an opportunity to do a test before you begin the recording, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. 

You have two attempts to record your video, so make sure beforehand that you are in an area with stable Internet connection. Since you will record the video essay directly in the application portal. We encourage you to check your internet speed and that your video will upload properly at the end of your recording. You can use an online speed test to check your speed.

We all know that the first impression is usually the most important. The video essay may be the only time the admissions committee will see and hear you, so take the time to ensure you are well dressed and groomed.

The essay question(s) will not be available beforehand. While you will not be able to prepare in advance, we recommend preparing yourself mentally: take deep breaths, go out for a walk, hydrate, etc. Do what you need to get in the right mind set. When you are ready and completed the video and audio check, the question(s) will appear on screen when you hit “Ready.” We have designed the question(s) to be answered it on the spot and you will have a few seconds to read the prompt before the recording begins. 

You only have two minutes to answer the prompt. Make sure to pay attention to the time and start wrapping up before time runs out. Once you completed the recording, take a few minutes to review your response. Utilize the second attempt if needed. If you decide to record your response using the second att empt, we strongly advise that you do not read your answer or look it up on the internet. Use your own words, be yourself and talk to us as if you were sitting across from us during an interview.  This is not a pass or fail exercise. We want to hear from you, your opinion, and what you have to say on this subject.   

We hope these tips will help you feel more confident and ready for the video portion. If you have not already done so, we encourage you review the application tips . If you still have questions or need additional guidance, here are ways to connect or learn more: sign-up for an information session or join the weekly Q&A session via zoom on Tuesdays from 3-4 PM PT/Wednesday from 9-10 AM PT.

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Learn About Video Submissions or Video Interviews at Top Colleges

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In recent years, more and more colleges have introduced an additional, often optional component to their applications: a short introductory video. Although this option is not nearly as widespread as the more typical essay requirement, schools including Brown, Bowdoin, George Mason, Tufts, the University of Chicago, and Washington University in St. Louis all give students the option to submit a short video with their application. More are sure to follow.

What are colleges seeking in these videos? According to admissions officers, what they want most of all is to see authenticity, spontaneity, and honesty. Most of the instructions encourage students to speak directly into the camera and not worry about doing anything fancy with their editing or production. Of course, if that’s something you enjoy doing, it’s also fine to submit something a little more polished at most places! But if you would rather just approach it simply (which some schools, like Bowdoin, require), that will be effective and impactful, too.

Why are colleges adding this option? As usual, there are a variety of reasons! For some, it’s partly practical; Brown University, for instance, has seen such a massive rise in their application numbers that they had to phase out alumni interviewing, and they added the video submission option as a replacement. It’s also a good way for students who don’t have any alumni in their area or who can’t make it to campus for an in-person interview to reveal their personality and passions to admissions officers.

Additionally, many colleges like that a video gives them a different view of each student. Colleges can learn a lot about applicants from their essays, but seeing applicants’ faces, voices, and demeanors adds another valuable shade to admissions officers’ sense of who these students are and what makes them tick! Plus, colleges appreciate that these videos can be a fun and less-formal space for students to talk about something important to them that might not have fit into an application essay, where the prompts don’t always allow for a ton of creativity.

Finally, another appealing aspect of these videos is that colleges can hear from students in a more direct and straightforward way than through their essays, which applicants have a long time to work on and which other people can help them to perfect. What admissions officers want most of all is a chance to witness a student’s authentic self, interests, and goals, and many are finding that a video response or submission helps them get at that authenticity most effectively.

Although these videos are generally optional, for now, colleges that offer them tend to strongly encourage them, so we definitely recommend providing one if you’re applying to one of these schools! And of course, if you want any advice on how to do so, please reach out .

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4 Tips to Complete College Applications on Time

Starting early with proper planning is key to timely college application completion, experts say.

Completing College Applications on Time

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Planning out your college applications early can help you stay organized as you move through the process.

With multiple components and deadlines, the college application process can be daunting for some students. Since prospective students are often juggling college applications alongside high school classes and activities, experts say it's easy to fall behind or procrastinate.

"Procrastination is a stress response, and it makes sense that some students who are anxious about the college process will avoid working on their applications in a timely fashion," Angela Warfield, principal consultant and founder of admissions consulting firm Compass Academics, wrote in an email.

"This can become a real problem if students wait too long to request transcripts, test score reports or letters of recommendation. Since the students need to rely on other people to submit these materials, they need to make sure to give those people as much time as possible to get those materials in before deadlines."

There are some exceptions where applications are accepted later, and schools that offer rolling admissions may be good last-minute options for students. But May 1 has traditionally been the decision deadline across higher education, even earning the name "College Decision Day," so students typically need to follow that timeline. If a student is applying for early decision or early action , there will be even earlier deadlines to submit application materials.

A well-thought-out plan, anchored by a few organizational tips, can keep students on track with college applications. Here are four tips that experts say students can follow to complete their college applications on time.

  • Start planning early.
  • Create a detailed checklist.
  • Ask for recommendation letters early.
  • Budget time for application essays.

Start Planning Early

Because there are multiple steps involved in applying to college, many of which require help from other people, experts say the most foolproof method to alleviate anxiety is to start early.

The Common App , which is used by more than 1,000 schools, opens Aug. 1 each year, meaning students can't officially submit applications through the platform until then. But those looking to get a head start can create an account during their junior year and get familiar with the platform, says Denard Jones, lead college counselor at Empowerly, a college admissions consulting company.

And though it may not be as fun as relaxing by the pool or hanging out with friends, students would be wise to use the the summer months ahead of senior year – when they have no academic obligations – to begin or complete college application tasks, such as completing any write-ups for the extracurricular or activities section , experts say.

Otherwise, "it makes the fall of your senior year that much more hard,” Jones says. “Because you still have to do academic work, you still have to go through the semester, and now you’re trying to pull all this information together."

Create a Detailed Checklist

Keeping track of the various application requirements and deadlines can be streamlined with a checklist. School counselors and independent college counselors can typically provide students with a checklist, and the College Board also provides a list for students and parents to use.

Universities also typically have an application checklist on their website, which may include directions or items specific to them.

If applying to multiple colleges, students and parents may also want to create a master spreadsheet or other document to keep track of deadlines and when parts of the application are complete. Setting up reminders on a digital calendar for important dates can also help, experts say.

"Dates to consider include: application deadlines, testing date/score submissions deadlines, dates for recommenders to submit letters of support and important scholarship deadlines," Warfield says.

Ask for Recommendation Letters Early

Letters of recommendation from teachers, school counselors and other sources are important to providing college admissions officers deeper context and colorful details about applicants. Like personal essays, they can help humanize applicants and give schools an idea of whether a student would succeed academically or fit in socially within their campus culture.

A strong recommendation can tip the scales in a student's favor, especially in situations where there are academic blemishes. A weak or vague letter may reflect poorly and cause an application to stand out for the wrong reasons, experts say.

Students should choose the right people to write letters, such as teachers or counselors who know them best. It's equally important to give recommendation writers enough notice so they aren't asked to craft a hastily written letter.

Richard Tench, a school counselor at St. Albans High School in West Virginia, suggests giving recommenders at least two weeks to complete the letter, but in some cases it may be wise to ask even earlier.

“That will provide them the time to say yes or no," he says, "but that also provides them the time to think about it and write a comprehensive letter."

Some teachers are pressed for time and commit to writing a limited number of recommendation letters each year. Once those spots are booked, students shouldn't be surprised if their request is denied. This could force students to pivot to a recommender who doesn't know them as well.

“The more time you give a recommender to write, the better," Jones says. "That way, hopefully it won’t be this template that’s just cut and paste and doesn’t really help the admissions offices much."

Budget Time for Application Essays

Personal statements are often the most time-consuming and stressful part of the application process, Warfield says. But this is another area where students can get a head start during their junior year or the summer before their senior year.

The Common App typically announces essay questions for the upcoming application cycle in January or February, giving students ample time to prepare for or begin writing the essays. Warfield recommends students begin working on essays in early June, ahead of their senior year, which allows more time to edit and perfect their essays with peers or trusted mentors.

Schools that require supplemental essays vary on when those prompts are announced, but Warfield says students should start on them as early as possible and "work smarter, not harder" when completing them.

"Look for similar themes and questions where your answers aren’t likely to change," such as what you want to major in or what community means to you, she says. "You can revise these essays to be school-specific, but not completely rewrite them. Don’t duplicate your efforts."

Starting on essays early can be particularly helpful for students who struggle or need additional assistance with writing the essay, she says, adding that students who procrastinate may be tempted to rely on another person or an artificial intelligence tool such as ChatGPT to write their essay. While some colleges are using AI in admissions, colleges expect the personal statement to be a student's authentic writing.

"As someone who’s evaluated student writing for 30 years, it is not that hard to spot an AI-generated college essay," Warfield says. "If students try to use AI as a shortcut, colleges use AI detectors and seasoned admissions readers to detect derivative material."

This could be anything created by AI technology, and use of such language in essays could harm an applicant's admissions chances, experts say.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, summer program essay examples.

I'm applying for a summer program and need to write an essay. Are there any good sample essays available for inspiration? I'd appreciate any to help me get started!

While I can't provide specific sample essays, I can give you some general tips and guidance on how to approach your summer program essay. Your essay should focus on demonstrating your passion, motivation, and fit for the program. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Research the program: Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the summer program to which you are applying. Make note of specific details, such as the program's goals, core values, and unique features. By understanding what the program offers and values, you can tailor your essay to show that you have a genuine interest and are the right fit.

2. Reflect on your experiences: Consider the experiences, accomplishments, and interests that make you a strong candidate for the summer program. Think about how those experiences align with the program's aims. Be prepared to provide concrete examples of your achievements, whether it's serving in a leadership role, volunteering, or participating in relevant extracurricular activities.

3. Tell your story: Write a compelling narrative that showcases who you are and what you bring to the table. Focus on one or two anecdotes that best illustrate your passion and motivation for attending the program. Remember to be authentic and sincere in your storytelling, so that the program committee can better understand your values and personality.

4. Make connections: Highlight the connections between the program and your interests or career goals. Explain how the program will benefit you in terms of personal growth, academic advancement, or future career opportunities. By showcasing the symbiotic relationship, you demonstrate that you're not just looking for any summer opportunity, but specifically the one offered by this program.

5. Edit and proofread: After writing your essay, carefully review and revise it. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Make sure your essay is well-organized and flows smoothly. You may want to ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted friend to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Remember, your essay should be focused, engaging, and tailored to the specific summer program for which you're applying. By researching the program, reflecting on your experiences, telling your story, making connections, and carefully editing your essay, you'll be well on your way to crafting a strong and competitive application.

Finally, consider checking out this blog post from CollegeVine, which is focused on college essays, but may still have some useful tips for you - your essay will just be focused on a particular program instead of a particular school: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-why-us-college-essay/. Good luck with your summer program application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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  1. How to use AI to write college application essays in Excel/Google Sheet

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  1. How to Create a Video Essay for Your College Application

    Learn how to make a video essay for your college application, a personal introduction on a college application that some schools may accept instead of the traditional written essay. Follow the steps to choose a topic, create an outline and script, use imagery and audio files, edit your video, and share or submit your work.

  2. 5 Steps for Scripting a Video College Application Essay

    Use positive terms like "curiosity" and "service" in your script. 4. Share your true motivation: Some people might define advertising as a form of lying. Certain advertisements certainly fit this ...

  3. Mastering the Video Essay for College Applications [Step-by-Step Guide]

    A video essay is a 2-5 minute video recording that allows students to showcase their personality and convince the admission committee to accept them into the college. It's an innovative way for prospective students to show their creativity and communication skills beyond the traditional written application.

  4. How to Create a Successful College Application Video

    The college application video (which we like to think of as a video essay) has been adopted by several schools in the past couple years. We believe the YouTu...

  5. 6 Tips For Recording a College Application Video Essay

    Here's How to Record an Outstanding College Application Essay Video Many colleges are known for getting creative with their essay prompts, sometimes asking weird and wacky questions to encourage students to dig for thoughtful, creative responses. Another way some colleges are shaking up the college admissions process is with college application essay videos. Goucher College's video college ...

  6. How to Make a College App Video to Impress

    Prepare well in advance. Creating a solid video can be tricky and time consuming. Like any other part of your application, you should be brainstorming ideas and preparing long before the application is due, writing scripts, and practicing ahead of time. You want to allow enough time for you to be able to put together a carefully organized, well ...

  7. How to Create a Winning College Application Video Essay Introduction

    Step Three: Plan your set, style, and filming strategy. Now that you know what admissions is looking for and what you'd like to say, it's time to figure out how you want to convey that information. If you don't have a lot of time to work with, you might want to film in selfie mode, speaking directly to the camera to answer the prompt in a ...

  8. Writing a strong college admissions essay (video)

    Transcript. College admissions essays should showcase a student's unique voice, intellectual curiosity, and resilience. Simple, everyday topics can make powerful essays. It's important to have someone read the essay and share their impressions, ensuring it reflects the student's personality and experiences. Questions.

  9. College Application Video TipsCollege Raptor

    College Application Video Tips. 1. Be Yourself. Making a self-introduction video for a college application process can seem very intimidating, especially if you're not used to being in front of a camera. Unlike a written essay, you can't go back and edit as you go. With a video application, it's usually one take and a few minutes long ...

  10. Video Essays for College Applications

    A video essay is a dynamic new way to make your application gleam.It's a chance to deliver a message via a video application about who you are, and to make an impact as your personal statement plays out. The video essay offers you the opportunity to put a face to your college application. You become more than just a name with test scores and ...

  11. Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay

    Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor. 1. Start Early. Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school.

  12. Taking your college essay to the next level (video)

    Video transcript. - [Interviewer] Hey guys, we're here with Maura Allen, author of Write Now: Essential Tips for Standout College Essays, and she's gonna talk to us all about how to take our essays to the next level and make sure that we're providing enough depth and substance to our essays. - [Maura] So the admissions officer needs to see or ...

  13. Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

    Sample College Essay 2 with Feedback. This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org. College essays are an important part of your college application and give you the chance to show colleges and universities your personality. This guide will give you tips on how to write an effective college essay.

  14. Video Course: How To Write Winning College Application Essays

    101. $99. 6 videos of step-by step guidance. Time-tested essay writing method. Insight into what Admissions wants. Common App Essay Prompt Guide. Companion follow-up exercises. 1 year streaming access. Buy Now!

  15. Tips on How to Create a College Video Response

    A college video response should not be looked upon as a way out of writing a college application essay. In fact, a video response still requires you to do largely the same thing: put your best self forward. For some students, creating a video response has definite advantages. ... Most college video essays will only give you one to two minutes ...

  16. 177 College Essay Examples for 11 Schools + Expert Analysis

    Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. Connecticut College. 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025 . Hamilton College. 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026; 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022

  17. Video Guides: How To Write College Application Essays

    The 10 Things You Must Do to Write a College Essay Worthy of Admission. In this video, we will walk you through the top 10 DOs of the college admissions essay writing process, a series of tips that will help you write a personal statement that truly makes an impact on admissions officers and helps you gain acceptance to top schools across the ...

  18. Brainstorming tips for your college essay (video)

    It helps students identify their strengths and unique stories. Here are three possible brainstorming techniques: using an online personality trait tool, asking others for three adjectives that describe the student, and free writing in a journal. These methods help students find their strengths and craft compelling essays.

  19. How to Write the Best College Application Essay

    Learning how to draft a good essay for college is about showcasing who you are. Stay true to your voice. Keep in mind that authenticity is more important than anything else. 5. Proofread. Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are essential. Proofread several times after you've finished.

  20. How to Tackle Video Essays in Your College Application

    In recent years, more colleges have started including video essays as a part of the application process. To give yourself every opportunity to present yourse...

  21. Why It's Smart to Add Video to Your College Apps

    It increases attention and engagement. The college application review process is taxing with a lot of text and reading. Staying attentive can be challenging for admission committees after a certain point—you could be at the end of the pile when an admission rep is burnt out on reviewing. Video content breaks up the monotony and uses audio and ...

  22. How to Prepare for the Video Essay

    The video essay is an opportunity for you to showcase your communication and presentation skills. Candidates record themselves answering the prompt which appears once you hit start. A webcam and microphone are required for this section. Since the video essay is a little different from the standard application requirements, here are some tips to ...

  23. College Video Submissions & Interviews

    Additionally, many colleges like that a video gives them a different view of each student. Colleges can learn a lot about applicants from their essays, but seeing applicants' faces, voices, and demeanors adds another valuable shade to admissions officers' sense of who these students are and what makes them tick!

  24. 4 Tips to Complete College Applications on Time

    Here are four tips that experts say students can follow to complete their college applications on time. Start planning early. Create a detailed checklist. Ask for recommendation letters early ...

  25. Summer program essay examples?

    Your essay should focus on demonstrating your passion, motivation, and fit for the program. Here are some steps to help you get started: 1. Research the program: Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the summer program to which you are applying. Make note of specific details, such as the program's goals, core values, and unique features.

  26. Replying to @hana ngl think my essays helped a lot #college #admission

    285 Likes, 26 Comments. TikTok video from (^o^)丿 (@bannanabread.org): "Replying to @hana ngl think my essays helped a lot #college #admissions #stats #uiuc #cs #fart #trend #fyp". College Admissions. weighted gpa: 5.6 (on a 5.0 scale) | 7 aps 8 honors 3 dual credit | sat: 1470 | ...original sound - Bella ࿔.