5 Tips For Writing A College Essay That Gets You Noticed And Accepted

Forbes

3 days ago

The college admissions process has become increasingly competitive and rigorous. Common App research showed applications increased by 6% in the 2024-25 cycle, while acceptance rates continued to decline. With 80-85% of applicants at most schools academically "qualified" based on grades and test scores alone, the essay often becomes the deciding factor among otherwise similar candidates. A strong college essay can increase admission chances by up to 10 times at highly selective institutions when applicants are otherwise academically comparable.
Whether you're staring at a blank page or facing down the Common App deadline, here are five proven tips to write a college essay that gets you accepted.
College Essay Tip 1: Write Your Truth, Not What You Think They Want
Admissions officers read thousands of essays. They don't want another story about how your mission trip changed your life, or how your grandfather taught you resilience, unless you can tell it in a way no one else could.
Start by asking: What story would I tell if no one else were reading this?
The best essays don't try to impress—they reveal. They share honest insights, surprising details, and moments that shaped who you are. If five other people in your class could write your essay, it's time to dig deeper.
Dare to be yourself. If you're the quiet observer, embrace it. If your journey has jagged edges, don't sand them down.
Skip the AI shortcut: About 33% of applicants used AI tools to write their essays in the 2023-24 cycle, with 6% using AI to write entire drafts. However, admissions officers are becoming increasingly adept at identifying formulaic or inauthentic writing. Tools like ChatGPT can assist with editing and brainstorming, but the core voice needs to be your own.
College Essay Tip 2: Start With A Scene, Not A Statement
Forget the five-paragraph essay format. A college essay is more memoir than research paper. That means storytelling matters.
Start with a moment—a real, vivid scene that pulls the reader in.
Bad example: 'Volunteering at the shelter taught me the importance of service.'Better example: "I didn't expect to be cleaning vomit off the floor my first day."
The second one works because it piques our curiosity. What happened next? Why were you there? It opens with tension—and tension invites attention.
Don't explain everything up front. Let the story unfold. Trust the reader to follow along.
College Essay Tip 3: Show Your Story, Then Reveal What It Means
The best college essays strike a balance between narrative and reflection. That means sharing a story or series of moments—and then showing how you've grown from them.
This matters because admissions officers report that most essays fail by overemphasizing writing style or wordplay, rather than sharing substantive, experience-driven stories that demonstrate personal growth.
Think of it as a two-part formula: Story → Insight
Paint your story in color. Don't just state, "I'm persistent." Narrate the winter mornings at 5 AM, lacing up sneakers to train before school. Use scene, dialogue, and detail.
Instead of "I'm a natural leader," try "The day my app crashed with 500 users online, I learned that leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about finding them fast."
Let readers experience your world directly.
Then make the reflection yours. Avoid cliché conclusions like "This taught me to never give up" or "I learned the value of hard work." Go specific: "It taught me that progress is frustrating—but frustration doesn't mean failure."
College Essay Tip 4: Turn Your Quirks Into Your Competitive Edge
Your quirks are your edge.
If you write fantasy novels on Wattpad, repair vintage typewriters, or have a six-year Duolingo streak—talk about it. Started a business in high school? Launched a nonprofit? Built an app that solved a problem in your community? Teen entrepreneurship showcases initiative, problem-solving skills, and real-world impact—qualities that admissions officers highly value.
Passion is magnetic. So is originality.
Admissions officers aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for individuals who will bring dimension to the campus—people with interests, convictions, and curiosity.
Everyone overcame adversity, scored the winning goal, or "grew" from travel. If you tread well-worn ground, turn left where others go right:
Don't be afraid to be funny, sarcastic, or unconventional—as long as you're still sincere. Vulnerability often hits harder than polished perfection.
Pick one story, one theme. Resist the urge to prove you can juggle six passions at once. The most mesmerizing essays go microscopic, then universal.
An excellent essay doesn't list achievements—it traces evolution. Show how you responded to feedback, grappled with beliefs, or changed course.
Remember: essays become the deciding factor when academics are comparable among applicants. At Harvard, for example, 84% of applicants meet the academic standard—making your essay the potential tie-breaker.
College Essay Tip 5: Test Your Voice And Polish Ruthlessly
Once you've got a draft, read it out loud. If you find yourself zoning out or stumbling, your reader will likely do the same.
Then share it—but not with someone who will just say "It's good!" Ask someone who will be honest. Someone who knows you well and will tell you if it sounds like you.
Solicit advice from a trusted teacher or friend. Ask the right question: "What stuck with you?" Then revise judiciously. Guard against edits that dilute your personality—admissions officers want to "meet" you.
Consider programs like WIT (Whatever It Takes) that help students identify and articulate their unique experiences, including entrepreneurial ventures that showcase leadership and innovation.
What to avoid:
Your Story Is The One That Matters
A stellar essay isn't a guarantee of admission to every campus, but it is an opportunity for clarity and self-discovery. Take creative risks, write from your gut, and remember: the story only you can tell is the one that matters.
Your essay doesn't need to be dramatic. It doesn't need to be about trauma or triumph. It just needs to be true.
If it sounds like you—and only you—you're on the right track.
Because when thousands of college essays are skimmed and scanned, the ones that get remembered aren't the ones that play it safe. They're the ones that tell the truth.