The Common Application Essay
On November 1st, the majority of early action and early decision college applications are due. For the next seven weeks I will share college application tips that will make the whole process run smoothly. (Read previous tips about logistics, the common application form, and the honors and activities sections.)
When people think about what they need to do in order to apply to college, the “personal statement,” or core common application essay, often immediately springs to mind. In most cases, college applicants who are submitting through the common application form need to write this 650-word essay, that is read by all of the schools that they’re applying to.
After more than 20 years evaluating applications for Dartmouth College and helping students get into their dream schools, I have very strong opinions about how best to write the common application essay. This essay is one of the most important parts of your application, and there is a LOT of bad advice circulating about how best to approach it.
Here are 5 tips that might surprise you, but that will help you write a core common application essay that actually helps you get into college:
- Don’t read anyone else’s essay.
It’s very tempting, and very common, to start by reading college essays that have been written by someone else. Do yourself a favor, and stay away from sample essays. The best common app essays are genuine and authentic, and reflect your individual voice. Copying someone else never works well. Also, when reading sample essays, you have no idea what that candidate could or should have showcased – was that really the best topic for them? Plus, they might have gotten in despite their essay, not because of it!
- You don’t need a hook. (Related, stay away from descriptive writing.)
This is one of the most common misconceptions (and mistakes) that I see. Please, please do NOT spend a third or more of the essay on creative writing. The admissions officers read literally thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of essays each cycle. They want to learn more about your personality, value system and experience. They don’t want to leave an essay knowing that you can describe a lake beautifully, but with no idea of who you are. It’s never bad to answer the question clearly and directly, but it IS bad to submit an overly flowery response, that lacks depth.
- Don’t be too braggy.
Another common mistake is to use the common application essay just to recap your accomplishments, however impressive they might be. The admissions officers can already see, from your transcript, activity section, honors, recommendations and supplemental essays, that you are the best mathlete in the state, or an Olympian. What they don’t know is WHY you do these things, how you see the world, how you relate to people, and what you will contribute to their community. Use the essay to help them hear your voice and really get to know you.
- You don’t need a unique or dramatic topic.
Some of the best essays I have read are about small moments, like tutoring a sibling, driving to school with a parent, helping a friend, etc. You don’t need to have saved a baby from a burning building in order to have something to write about. Real and age-appropriate topics are always a good call. Plus, don’t believe the rumors about needing to have a “unique” topic. First of all, there really aren’t unique topics – admissions officers have read it all. Also, it’s completely ok to write about growth or failure in the context of sports or other common subjects! Just be sure to tell the officers something that they can’t already figure out from the rest of your application. (They can see that you are the lacrosse Captain, but they don’t know how you lead, why you wanted the position, or about the time when you had to turn in your best friend for drinking, even though she then had to miss the big game.)
- Don’t crowdsource your essay.
I get that this essay is a big deal. Nevertheless, the best way to ruin it is to solicit feedback and edits from everyone you know. We want the essay to sound like you, not like a watered-down version of you. Parents often have an especially tough time with this. Resist the urge to make the essay sound like it was written by an adult! Admissions officers can tell, and editing the essay so that it’s written in the style of a 50-year-old professional does NOT help your student get in.
Next Friday, more college application tips – how to strategically write the supplemental essays.
