One of the hardest things for students to do is write a college application essay. Even if you have good grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities, admissions officers may forget your name minutes after reading your essay if it doesn’t grab their attention.
A college admissions consultant like me knows for sure that this essay is your chance to stand out from the other thousands of candidates. And because of this, you need to learn how to write a college essay that stands out.
What Is a College Application Essay?
A college application essay is a short piece of writing that you send with your application to show admissions officers more about you than just your grades and test scores. It gives you a chance to talk about your personality, values, and perspective in your own words.
The Coalition Application or the Common App is what most schools use, and both require a personal statement of about 650 words. Supplemental essays, which are generally shorter (around 150–300 words each), are also asked for by some colleges.
The word limit may seem strict, but I’ve found that it pushes students to focus on the most important parts of their story.
Also, you must understand that a strong personal statement and supplemental essays should accomplish several things:
- Reflect your authentic voice and personality.
- Demonstrate development, self-awareness, or reflection.
- Connect to the things that make you a good fit for the school.
- From start to finish, keep the reader interested.
I think the essay is the only element of the application where you have complete control. Your essay is your chance to change the story, unlike your GPA or test scores, which are fixed by the time you apply. If done right, it can make your application not just complete but also stand out in the admissions process.
7 Proven Strategies on How to Write a Standout College Essay
I’ve seen that the great essays for college applications usually follow certain patterns after helping many students. That’s why I always recommend using these seven methods.
1️⃣ Start Your Essay with a Memorable Hook
Think about how you feel when you scroll through shorts: you decide in the first few seconds if you’ll keep watching. Admissions officers are no different. If your opening lines are flat, they might zone out.
The trick is to start strong without trying too hard. To write a standout essay for your college application, you just need something real and engaging. For example:
❌ “I have always worked hard in school.”
✔️ “At 2 a.m., while balancing a flashlight on my desk, I realized failure was teaching me more than success ever did.”
See the difference? The second one makes you want to know what happens next.
So, if you’re stuck, try to brainstorm a few different college essay topics and experiment with opening lines until one feels right.
2️⃣ Show Your Voice
One thing I can guarantee: college admissions officers can tell when you’re faking it. Some students try to sound overly formal, thinking it will impress. It usually backfires.
The best essays are the ones where I can hear the student’s actual voice. Just think of your college essay like this: you’re sitting across from someone and telling your story. That’s how natural it should feel.
Here’s an example: instead of “My extracurricular activities have taught me invaluable lessons,” try something more real, like, “If you told my freshman self that debate would make me less shy, I would’ve laughed and hidden behind my binder.”
That little bit of honesty goes a long way.
3️⃣ Focus on a Specific Story, Not Your Whole Life
A common mistake I see is trying to cram everything into one college admissions essay. You only have about 650 words, and you can’t cover all. So, choose to write one story that shows something meaningful about you.
For instance, instead of writing about four years of soccer, pick one game where something real happened. Maybe you missed the winning goal, but that moment taught you leadership or resilience. That single story can say more than a whole list of accomplishments.
When you look at different essay prompts, ask yourself: “Which story shows who I really am?” That’s usually the one to go with.
4️⃣ Show Your Growth and Self-Reflection
Here’s the secret: it’s not the event that matters most, but what it taught you. Admissions officers want to see that you think about your experiences.
Let’s say you’re asked to write about a challenge. In this case, instead of describing what went wrong, show how it changed the way you see yourself or the world.
For example, a student once wrote about bombing a speech in front of the whole class. The twist? She talked about how that mistake gave her the courage to speak out anyway, and that change in point of view made the essay stand out.
When you write an essay for a college application, remember that reflection is where a simple story turns into something memorable.
5️⃣ Make It Personal, Not Just Impressive
I’ve seen plenty of essays that read like brag sheets. The problem is, admissions already know about your awards and grades from the rest of your application files. What they don’t know is what those experiences meant to you.
Let’s say you won a medal in science fair. If you want to write a great college essay, instead of describing the win, mention the late nights of failed experiments, the moment you almost gave up, or how you found joy in the process.
That kind of detail makes the essay feel personal rather than just impressive, so you will immediately stand out in the application process. Why? All colleges want students with character.
6️⃣ Write Clearly and Keep the Flow
Writing in a complicated way doesn’t make you look smarter. Instead, you are just making your essay more difficult for readers to understand. Clarity always wins.
Here’s an example: instead of “It was believed by me that failure was terrible,” just say, “I thought failure was terrible.” It’s cleaner, and it keeps the reader moving.
I usually encourage my students not to be afraid to write brief sentences to emphasize their point. Then, you could write longer ones to keep the rhythm natural.
And don’t forget about transitions to improve the flow of your essay. 🏄
7️⃣ Revise, Edit, and Ask for Feedback
The part most students underestimate in the essay writing process is always revision. Therefore, if you want to set your essay apart from the others, follow these simple steps:
- When revising, ask yourself: Does every sentence add something important? If not, cut it.
- Then, once you’ve polished it, get feedback. Teachers, friends, or mentors can point out things you missed. Just remember to keep your voice in the essay, because it should still sound like you.
- At the end of the essay, check in: Would someone who doesn’t know me understand who I am after reading this? If the answer is yes, you’re ready to hit submit.
Nobody nails it on the first draft. Just so you know, the college essays that stand out usually go through three or four rewrites.
Final Tips on How to Write a College Essay
The essay could be the most personal and influential part of your application. While grades and test scores show numbers, your writing shows heart, so it’s worth investing time into getting it right.
And honestly, one of the smartest ways to write the story you want to share is to start early. The summer before your senior year is the best time. You’ll have space to draft, edit, and play around with ideas without stressing over deadlines. Waiting until the last second usually leads to rushed writing.
Also, many colleges require more than one essay. That’s why having a plan (and maybe even a calendar for deadlines) makes a huge difference.
And if you ever feel stuck, the best college admission consultants will give you guidance, feedback, and a fresh perspective. At the end of the day, though, your essay should sound like you: real, relatable, and confident. 😎