can i write about god in my college essay

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10 topics to avoid in a college admission essay

By Lynn O'Shaughnessy

June 21, 2013 / 8:12 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

(MoneyWatch) For students who are applying for college, one of the scariest parts of the admission process is writing the dreaded essay.

A common mistake that students make when tackling their college essays is to pick the wrong topics. It's a huge turn off, for instance, when applicants write about their sports exploits or their pets. I asked Janine Robinson, who is the creator of a wonderful website called Essay Hell and the author of an excellent ebook entitled " Escape Essay Hell ," to identify those essay topics that teenagers should absolutely avoid.

• 5 tips for writing a winning college essay
• 5 myths about getting in and paying for college
• 10 great opening lines from Stanford admission essays

Here are Robinson's college essay no-no's:

1. Listing accomplishments. You might be the most amazing person on the planet, but nobody wants a recitation of the wonderful things you've done, the people you've encountered and the places you've visited.

2. Sports. Do you know how many millions of teens have written about scoring the winning goal, basket or run? You definitely don't want to write about your winning team. And nobody wants to read about your losing team, either.

3. Sharing how lucky you are. If you are one of the lucky teenagers who has grown up in an affluent household, with all the perks that goes with it, no need to share that with college admission officials. "The last thing anyone wants to read about is your ski trip to Aspen or your hot oil massage at a fancy resort," Robinson observed.

4. Writing an "un-essay." Many students, particularly some of the brightest ones, have a negative reaction to the strictures of the admission essay. In response, Robinson says, "They want to write in stream-of-consciousness or be sarcastic, and I totally understand this reaction. However, you must remember your goal with these essays -- to get accepted! Save the radical expression for after you get into college."

5. Inflammatory topics. It's unwise to write about politics or religion, two of the most polarizing topics. Avoid any topics that make people angry.

6. Illegal activity. Do not write about drug use, drinking and driving, arrests or jail time. Also leave your sexual activities out of the frame. Even if you have abandoned your reckless ways, don't bring it up.

7. Do-good experiences. Schools do not want to hear about your church or school trip to another country or region to help the disadvantaged. You may be able to write about a trip like this only if you focus on a specific experience within the broader trip.

8. The most important thing or person in my life. This topic is too broad and too loaded, whether you want to write about God, your mom or best friend. These essays are usually painfully boring. 

9. Death, divorce, tragedies. The problem with these topics is not that they are depressing, but that such powerful topics can be challenging to write about. Absolutely no pet stories -- admission officers hate them.

10. Humor. A story within a college essay can be amusing, but don't try to make the entire essay funny.

View all articles by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on CBS MoneyWatch» Lynn O'Shaughnessy is a best-selling author, consultant and speaker on issues that parents with college-bound teenagers face. She explains how families can make college more affordable through her website TheCollegeSolution.com ; her financial workbook, Shrinking the Cost of College ; and the new second edition of her Amazon best-selling book, The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price .

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Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?

Here’s another key tip to keep in mind for your college applications, from College Essay Guy Ethan Sawyer!

The short answer is this: it’s okay to discuss religion in your essay as long as the take-away (or values) promoted in the essay are universal. Here’s what I mean:

In the past, I’ve had students write essay drafts that end with something like, “Since accepting Christ (or) learning to meditate (or) converting to Judaism, I’ve made it my goal to tell others about the difference that Christ/meditation/Judaism can make in their lives.” I call this the “missionary” essay. And it can be off-putting to readers, particularly to those who don’t share your religious beliefs (which, statistically speaking, is likely).

Instead, discuss the values you gained through your religion. How?  

Step 1: Take a look at this Values List and ask yourself: what values have I gained through my religion?

Examples: “Getting used to wearing a turban in ninth grade helped increase my self-confidence and, interestingly, my grades went up that year!” (or) “Feeling judged by my youth group leader helped me better understand how my friend must have been feeling about me; I realized I was essentially doing the same thing to her.”

Check out the values displayed in those sentences: self-confidence and empathy. Nice! And anyone, no matter the religion or belief system, can get on board with those.  

Step 2: Make sure the values you’re discussing are non-obvious and specific. Obvious connections lead to boring essays.

Examples: “Playing in the band at church helped me learn the value of working with others” (seen it!) (or) “Volunteering at our mosque helped me develop myself personally” (super vague–say how!).  

Step 3: Get feedback from someone who does not share your religious belief. Once s/he has read the essay, ask the person: do you feel closer to me after having read that? If the answer isn’t “Yes,” or even if the person hesitates before responding, ask, “What would help you feel closer to me?”  

Step 4: Listen with your entire being. Stay curious about his/her feedback to you.  

Step 5: Thank the person and go back to the drawing board.  

Because you are creative and original and you have something important to communicate.

For more personal statement help, check out www.collegeessayguy.com .

This post was written by a friend of Magoosh.

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3 responses to “Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?”

I was wondering if writing about struggles with religion would be appropriate. My topic is trying balance christianity and my sexuality, and I was wondering how exactly I should frame that, if even write about it at all.

Hi Isaac, our expertise is in test prep, not admissions advice, so I first have to say that I’m not an expert in this topic. This is also an very personal topic that you should make sure you feel comfortable writing about, and keep in mind that you will probably want to have others proofread and critique your essay. That being said, you can definitely write a strong essay about balancing your sexuality and religion using the guidelines in this blog post. It sounds like this is a big part of your identity, and your personal statement is all about letting your personality, strengths, and introspective abilities shine.

Interesting!

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Should "God" Appear in an Application Essay?

<p>Just to clarify, I’m no radical conservative (I’m liberal on almost any policy that intertwines religion in the conservative counterargument in fact), but I had an idea for an essay that would force me to mention God several times in it. My idea is as follows: I have this quirky habit of not directly asking God for a positive outcome on my behalf. For instance, while my parents might encourage me to pray before taking an important test (SATs ugh), I personally refuse to ask for that high score. I want to make this my essay topic, therefore, because it reveals what I find is one of my defining traits: my belief that the individual is entirely responsible for the course and direct consequences of his/her life. Of course, this is a deeply personal issue and, as it does in fact have very religious undertones, I’m wary about using it. Anyway, what do you guys think?</p>

<p>Sounds good. Just make sure it’s not a rant; it’s a personal statement.</p>

<p>I think if you are a person of faith and someone asks you to write about yourself, there is a good chance God is going to be in there somewhere. It is completely ok as long as it is personal not a sermon. Happy writing!</p>

<p>Just have a second essay prepared in case you want to apply to any Catholic schools.</p>

<p>Can you state these views positively without directly (or even impliedly) criticizing the religious views of others?</p>

<p>Well, thx for all the replies and lol @ BronxBombers. To answer Hunt: I suppose I could minimize the use of religion so as not to offend. The problem is that some people get riled up when they see the word “God” so it’s more a matter of who’s reading it I think.</p>

<p>Following up on Hunt’s thought–the target imo is to say good things about your viewpoints and practices, and to avoid saying bad things about those of others.</p>

<p>It’s fine imo to write a personal essay about your religion, but it would be inappropriate and unhelpful in my view to be contentious about it, or to criticize the religions of others.</p>

<p>“it’s more a matter of who’s reading it I think”</p>

<p>Exactly. The adcom reading your essay may or may not agree with your viewpoint. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t express it, but be careful in how you express. Show it to somebody that you know has a different viewpoint.</p>

<p>Here’s what I think (and I’m by no means an expert, this is just conjecture and opinion, heh). It doesn’t matter whether or not “God” appears in your essay. What matters is whether “you” appear in your essay.</p>

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Why My Favorite Question for College Students is “Does God Exist?”

By Eric Chabot, CJFM Midwest Representative  

I direct two apologetic ministries. One is at The Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College.  We tend to use a question of the day which helps us engage students in a gentle and respectful manner. Probably my favorite question is “Does God Exist?” It is short and students tend to want to discuss this question. Remember, many Jewish people don't even believe in the existence of God. You do not have to believe in God to be Jewish. This is a popular question. 

Why does this question matter and why do I like to use it? Richard E Simmons III says the following:

“A number of years ago, Encyclopedia Britannica published a 55-volume series entitled The Great Books of the Western World. This series presented the most important ideas that scholars and intellectuals have considered and investigated over the course of recorded history. The longest essay was on God. When noted philosopher, author, and co-editor of the series, Mortimer Adler, was asked the reason behind this, he replied, “It is because more consequences for life follow from that one issue than from any other.”4 I believe Dr. Adler’s assessment is spot on. The major issues of life are understood with the greatest clarity only after the question of God’s existence is placed in its proper context. Everyone has a certain perspective on how life works. It is the lens through which we see life. It is what most people call a “worldview.” When we are born, we begin to try and understand how life works. Over time, we formulate a philosophy of life, a worldview, and this worldview influences how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we live our lives. Armand Nicholi, the Harvard psychiatrist I mentioned in the preface, and the author of The Question of God says that our worldview informs our personal, social, and political lives. It helps us understand our purpose. Further, he said that our worldview determines our ethics, our values, and our capacity for happiness. It helps us answer the big questions of life: How did I get here? How am I to live? Where do I find meaning in life? What is my ultimate destiny? Basically, Nicholi is telling us that our worldview is more telling than perhaps any other aspect of our lives. Another way to understand our worldview is to see it as a map, a mental map that helps navigate life effectively. As author Nancy Pearcey says, “…we need some creed to live by; some map by which we chart our course.” This is worldview. In forming our worldviews, Dr. Nicholi says that we make one of two assumptions about life. The first is that we live in a godless universe; we are a product of nature that has evolved over time. This is a secular worldview that emphasizes scientific knowledge and its motto is “What do science and nature have to say?” The second assumption is that there is a supernatural intelligence who gives the universe order and life meaning. This is a spiritual worldview that is rooted in Biblical revelations. It places emphasis on spiritual truth and wisdom and its motto is: “What does God have to say about this?”-Richard E Simmons III, Reflections On The Existence Of God: A Series Of Essays, pg. 15.

Even though I co-authored a short book on the topic,  there are two new books on the topic of God’s existence. Check them out!

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Home > Bible Facts > Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Modified: January 9, 2024

Written by: Daniel Gallik

Peter Smith, Editorial Director at Christian.net, combines deep insights into faith, politics, and culture to lead content creation that resonates widely. Awarded for his contributions to religious discourse, he previously headed a major organization for religious communicators, enhancing dialogue on faith's societal impacts.

Wonder how to write an amazing religion essay for collage? Here's a guideline that covers the basis of what to write and how to write.

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Are you a college student wondering how to write the perfect essay on religion? If yes, read on and find all that you need to know about writing a religion essay. This article will cover the basics and all you need to know about writing an excellent essay piece on religion.

What is a Religion Essay

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Well, religion essays are a kind of paper that relates to religion, belief, and faith. 

In college, many students will be required to write a few essays on religion. Students typically struggle with writing assignments of this nature since they haven’t learned how to write professionally. After all, religion is a highly personal subject, and objective discussions about religion can be particularly difficult and generally mind-boggling. 

As a result of this, many students prefer outsourcing their writing assignments on religion to a custom essay writing service like Edubirdie. On this “write an essay for me” platform, there are plenty of professional writers for you to choose from with guaranteed transparency on their profiles and reviews. After reviewing, you can simply choose a writer and you will have your essay delivered in no time. 

On the other hand, some students prefer completing such religious essays themselves to improve their writing. If you fall under this category we’ve put together some tips for you. for you to ace your religion essay.

Read more : Christian Blogs To Follow Before Writing a Religious Essay

Tip 1: Choosing a Topic for a Religion Essay

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Consider a topic that interests you, one that piques your curiosity . Though it’s said that curiosity kills the cat, it’s a much-needed drive in essays, especially ones that deal with theology and mind-boggling ideas. H aving an interest as your personal pedestal throughout is effective for your research and writing.

A contentious issue would make a fantastic topic for a religion essay because it means it’s a topic of interest to people and it gives room and framework to your arguments. An example can be whether hell is a truth or a myth . You can decide to look into where a particular religious idea came from and employ background information and opposing points of view to present your argument. Whatever the topic, always use the most reliable sources you can to back up your claims.

Next, contemplate what your stance is towards the issue and start to build your case around it. Are you for it or against it? Should this topic even be contentious in the first place? Are there other points that should be contended besides what has already been debated? Usually, a great religious essay identifies the issue and has tight arguments to support the thesis. But, an amazing essay is one that brings in a fresh perspective that’s been rarely discussed in class. So, work around that.

This step is usually the toughest, but once you’ve passed through it, the rest of the work is a breeze.

Tip 2: How to Write an Introduction for a Religion Essay

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Prepare your notes and an overview of your case before beginning to write the introduction. In contrast to creative writing , the reader expects your thesis statement and facts up front in an essay. Because of this, seasoned writers advise pupils to read more books and develop their own points of view. But occasionally it can be advantageous to grab an idea from someone who wrote it before you. It’s catchy and demonstrates your familiarity with the subject. The reader should have a clear understanding of what to anticipate from the article from the beginning.

How can you create a strong essay introduction? The components of a strong introduction are numerous such as some background information, a thesis statement, a purpose statement, and a summary of what’s to be covered. Essentially, your introduction is your first impression and a blueprint of what the entire essay will be. 

The topic and focus of the essay, as well as a few other important concepts, should be covered in the first paragraph. Along with the thesis, it should also give background details and the context of the argument. It should also describe the essay’s structure, which is outlined in the last paragraph. The importance of the introduction increases as the essay gets longer. Even though it may appear tedious, just like any first impression, the introduction is an important component of any paper. 

Tip 3: How to Write the Body of a Religion Essay

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Introduce the basic tenets and principles of the religion you’re addressing in the major body of your essay. Then, you should investigate the crucial components of the tradition. What are its core ideals and beliefs? What role does it play in society? How is it relevant in our current world? Textual support must be provided because this is an excellent approach to capturing your readers’ interest.

The promise you made in your introduction should be fulfilled in the body of your essay. Make sure to add new proof to the main argument of each paragraph in the body of your essay. Each paragraph should be concluded with a sentence that emphasizes the importance of the argument and connects it to the following one.

Tip 4: How to Write the Conclusion Section for a Religion Essay

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Your conclusion is a paragraph (or two) of concluding remarks that demonstrate the points you’ve made are still true and worth considering . Think of it as a final impression you make on the readers, you’d want to make yourself memorable Additionally, it should demonstrate that the arguments you made in the essay’s main body are supported by relevant evidence.

A great conclusion is also one that highlights the significance of your points and directs readers toward the best course of action for the future. This shows that you aren’t just someone who debates but someone who is also willing to try and better the situation.  Keep in mind that your final chance to convince or impress your audience is the conclusion.

Read more : Cultural Sensitivity in Student Essays about Religion

Tip 5: Find Proofreaders

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If I’d learned anything through my years of college essays, it’s to get people to proofread your essay. They are your safety nets. I’d usually find a coursemate or someone from my class to proofread. They are valuable second pairs of eyes to help you spot grammar mistakes but also in concepts that you may have applied. Next, find a friend that’s not from your course or class because they are an accurate assessment of how clear and cohesive your essay is. If they can understand what you’re writing, you can be sure that half the battle is already won.

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Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

Want free help with your college essay?

UPchieve connects you with knowledgeable and friendly college advisors—online, 24/7, and completely free. Get 1:1 help brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, revising a draft, or editing grammar.

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

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Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

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What My Faith in God Looks Like

By Dustin Junkert

• July 20, 2009

I grew up quietly and without thought. My mom was a secretary at the Baptist church, and I led the worship team senior year of high school. My youth pastor was one of my best friends. I believed in God and my parents, my friends, and the four walls of my house. All things were within reach, simple and inspiring. And I told my girlfriend I wanted to be a writer.

She told me I was very smart and of course I’d be a writer. I wrote a rhyming 12-line poem over the course of three days, a maze of abstraction. I read it over and over until I had it memorized. In high school English, I dazed off reciting my poem in my head, the poem that would soon be recited by everyone in 12th-grade English across the country, once I settled on a publisher. Soon after, I began work on my first novel, a period piece about a 17th-century Huguenot family fleeing the Inquisition.

Eager to continue my spiritual journey, I went to a private Christian college in Oregon complete with a lifestyle contract. Freshman year, I met Frank, a lifelong philosopher. He was a couple rooms down from me. He asked me all sorts of wild questions I had never thought about before, like, “Well, why do you believe that?” Everything I said that year, Frank would ask me that question. Then I started asking myself that question about every thought I had. It was a sort of game, which most of the time sounded like this:

Why shouldn’t I have sex before I marry?

Because the Bible says it’s a sin.

Because it keeps you from Him.

Why doesn’t all sex keep you from Him?

Because premarital sex does not require any commitment.

Why do you need commitment?

Because sex is special.

Why do you think that?

Because it says so in the Bible.

Why do you believe the Bible?

Because it’s God’s word.

How do you know that?

Because it says it in there.

Well, I am speaking the words of God right now, do you believe me?

Because. . . .

The game generally started with a question, cycled through my beliefs, and ended with “because. . . .” Soon it was ending in just “. . . .”

I took a class called “The Problem of Religious Diversity” that quickly had me believing that just about any belief system could be true and that no one could prove anything. It never occurred to me until then that people who believed something other than Christianity had the same reason for believing their faith as I did for believing mine.

How about that?

I ran into an old Sunday school teacher sophomore year and told him I’d been thinking that maybe it’s not true that everyone who’s not a Baptist will go to Hell. He looked me straight in the eye with saintly gravity and said: “The Bible is very clear: if you believe that, you aren’t a Christian. In fact, if we were in the 17th century right now, you’d be burned at the stake.” I, of course, knew this from all the research I’d done for my novel. But the way he said it put me in a state of fear at first, then repentance, then confusion, and lastly anger. I rebelled from the religion that contained all the smallness of my childhood. I cursed my Baptist teacher, God and the novel, and fled to Russia for a study-abroad semester sponsored by a coalition of Christian colleges.

The first person I talked to there was Dan, a student at Grace College in Michigan. He immediately asked the last question I wanted to hear: “So what’s your faith look like?” I went cold. I wanted to bleat my usual Jesus-story and be done with it, but the ice on my ribs wouldn’t let me lie. I reluctantly collapsed and told him that honestly, I didn’t know anything anymore and nothing was real. Turns out, Dan was in the same place I was.

Together we raved and doubted and yelled and trembled all semester long. We felt the black blood of Dostoevsky and descended the dark stairs of Derrida and Sartre. Some nights, we would just sit across from each other and stare, estranged by the cold of a new, uncertain world. After one of these nights of existential fog, as I got up to go, I turned to Dan and said, “The only meaningful thing left to do in this world, it seems, is to sit quietly with a friend until dark and then say goodnight.”

Then, on a snow-gray Russian day, riding a packed bus, a song came on my iPod that froze me in time. In a sense, I’m still there on that bus listening to that song with watering eyes. It was a song called “Clouds” by As Cities Burn that said: “Is your god really God? / Is my god really God? / I think our god isn’t God / If he fits inside our heads.”

With the terrifying pull of rubber bands, I expanded beyond the length of the bus, grew from the street to the sky. Then I snapped and everything came undone. I resigned entirely. God won’t fit inside our heads, and if He does, we’re missing something. And I knew all I’d been waiting for was to know that to admit doubt was not to lose faith. A few simple lines of an Indie rock song pushed me to see hope amid uncertainty.

It snowed continually my last two weeks in Russia. I met Dan one morning at a small cafe, Biblioteca, where we drank bottomless black tea and watched the snow pile up on the street. He said he had prayed the night before. I said I was ready to step back into a church.

Our last Sunday in Moscow, we attended Mass, an Orthodox church, then a mosque. Dan said we were a Protestant service away from a monotheistic grand slam. At Mass, I wrote in my journal, “God, see that I’m trying.”

It was the first time I had prayed in more than a year.

Dustin Junkert, George Fox University, class of 2009, writing/literature major

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The College Student's Guide to Writing Theology and Religion Assignments

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Growing up, you were always intrigued to learn more about the history and origin of different religions, how the concept of God varies, and the like, which is why you took up Religion and Theology in college with great earnestness.

Yes, it is a fascinating subject, and you thoroughly enjoyed everything the course had to offer until one fine day when you were asked to write a Theology and Religion essay.

Now, you’re just staring at a blank computer screen, wondering where and how to begin! Does that ring a bell?

Wipe away those tears because here’s the complete guide on finishing your Theology and Religion paper and how you can do a brilliant job at it.

Everything About Writing a Theology and Religion College Paper

Theology and Religion studies focus on teaching students about the various types of religions that exist in the contemporary world.

An interdisciplinary field, this subject encourages students to explore how people from different religions and cultures express their faith and the driving reasons behind the same. Regardless of whether you believe in a particular faith, studying theology and religion serves as a window to gain insights into religious ideas and how they shaped the world as we see it today.

Types of Theology and Religion Writing Assignments

Theology and Religion studies involve extensive coursework and writing assignments that are aimed at shaping students’ perspectives on religion while considering the cultural, historical, sociological, and anthropological aspects.

As a Theology and Religion student, here are the four common types of papers you will come across.

Research Paper

This paper requires students to present a thesis statement and make arguments to support it. Being one of the longer assignments, writing research papers requires you to explore a particular topic fully, raise interesting questions, and present logical evidence to demonstrate your understanding. You might also need to conduct quantitative and qualitative research to support your paper.

Comparative Essay

As the name suggests, comparative essays involve comparisons while highlighting similarities and differences between two theories or concepts. You are expected to tie your comparisons to a broader theological point.

To learn more about writing compare-and-contrast essays, take a look at this video

Critical Analysis

Contrary to popular perception, critical analysis does not refer to ‘criticizing’ religion or ideology. Instead, you need to break down the text and evaluate the different aspects while gathering research material from various sources to support your claim or argument. The keyword here is - analysis.

Reflection Paper

Reflection papers urge you to reflect, look inward, and present your opinion surrounding a particular theological or religious concept. You get the chance to reflect on your experiences and their impact on shaping your perceptions.

Don’t mistake this for an informal essay - a reflection paper is as ‘formal’ as the others.

How to Write a Theology and Religion Essay for College

Regardless of what type of paper it is, all Theology and Religion essays involve certain steps that, when followed with sincerity and precision, can set you up for success.

Look at the step-by-step guide to writing a Theology and Religion essay for college.

Pick a Focussed Topic

If you have been given a specific topic, you don’t have to worry about this step. What you need to do is understand the question well. Is it asking you to compare, analyze, reflect, review - make sure you know what is expected of you to do justice to it?

Now, let’s look at a situation wherein you are asked to pick a topic or are given an open-ended topic to explore.

The key to a successful paper is a narrow and focused topic or research question. You need to get into the ‘how’s and ‘why to generate a novel paper. It cannot be something that you have learned about in class or one that has been done to death.

To stand out, you need to first entice the instructor with an interesting topic or take on an interesting angle that will set you apart from your classmates.

Here’s a video on how you can narrow down your essay topic

Conduct Extensive Research

Research is key - your paper will only be as strong as the research you do.

So, give yourself ample time to research and scan essential reading material such as journals, online sources, existing research studies, religious texts, and library books. The more you read, the more meat you will have to write this paper.

It is also a good idea to speak to experts in theology and religion to get new views and insights into the topic you are exploring.

Considering the amount of reading you will be doing, always keep a notebook by your side to highlight and take notes on the critical points that would be of use while writing the paper. This is an effective way to gather references for citations at the end of the assignment.

Draft an Outline

Hold on - don’t start writing, not just yet.

Before writing, you must first work on a rough outline. This will ensure you don’t miss out on any points and maintain a logical flow while writing.

So, work on an outline and map your points to the following key headings:

Introduction - Introduce the topic and main points of the paper while providing background information and context. This paragraph needs to end with a strong, arguable thesis;

Body - this section consists of multiple paragraphs where you need to discuss your thesis and present your arguments and evidence obtained from research;

Conclusion - the concluding paragraph needs to reinstate your thesis statement and do a quick recap of your main arguments.

Start the Writing Process

Now that you have your outline ready with the crucial points, you can finally start writing.

Considering the amount of information you are grappling with, you might get overwhelmed initially - not knowing how to articulate yourself properly.

To avoid a panic attack in such situations, we recommend breaking down the writing process as per the sections. That way, you can approach it clearly and concentrate better.

Here’s a tip - thesis statements are a vital component so instead of wasting time on it in the beginning, start with a rough thesis statement which you can come back to and finetune once you are done with the rest of the paper.

There are two parts to proofreading - one involves ensuring you have accurately addressed the question, included the relevant sections logically, and presented your paper as per the requirements. The second part is reading the essay to spot grammatical, spelling, and sentence formation errors.

Another aspect to remember while proofreading is checking whether your essay is free of plagiarism . Sometimes, despite delivering ‘original’ work, a few silly mistakes can result in unintentional plagiarism.

Proofreading once is not enough - give your essay a couple of readings before turning it in. Ensure you don’t read it immediately after writing because you are likely to be tired of spotting errors. So, give your brain a rest and return to it the following day.

What Makes an Excellent Theology and Religion College Paper

You need to submit a Theology and Religion paper that makes your instructor go.

Wondering how? Here are four essential elements that make up an excellent Theology and Religion essay.

Logical Evidence

Through your writing, you need to convince the reader about your stance by presenting substantial evidence. Now, this requires thorough research, reading, and analysis.

From sacred scriptures and worship texts to official religious teachings - these are all considered to be logical evidence and need to be referred to in your paper.

Accurate Facts

Misinterpretation of facts is a severe problem in academic writing. You might think, “no one will notice,” but when your inaccuracies are spotted, it is a huge blow.

Hence, make sure the facts and references you include are accurate and from reliable sources. For instance, you cannot reference a Wikipedia page because it is undoubtedly unreliable, as it allows people to edit information whenever possible.

Inaccurate references reflect your laziness and lack of knowledge which is why you should always verify your references by double-checking the information you choose to include.

Neutral and Inclusive Writing

Let’s face it - Theology and Religion is a sensitive topics which makes it all the more important to be cautious about the language you are using. Such a paper demands the use of neutral and inclusive writing.

What does that mean? Be respectful and unbiased, use non-sexist language, and avoid using words that might be offensive.

So, while proofreading your paper, be on the lookout and ensure you are sensitive to all sentiments and avoid cultural biases that might dampen your paper.

Take a look at this insightful video on why using gender-inclusive language matters

Clarity in Writing

From correct grammar and spelling to proper presentation and formatting - all these factors contribute to writing with clarity.

You might have strong points and arguments, but unless you don’t articulate them properly, there is no way you can drive your message home and leave a positive impression in the minds of readers.

Hence, make sure you plan your writing, use the correct terminology, and structure your paper such that it is easily comprehensible.

Considering the intimidating and time-consuming nature of this assignment, many students end up despising the subject, but you don’t have to.

Follow this extensive guide, take it one step at a time, and immerse yourself in the assignment - that is the only way you can do an excellent job and enjoy the process.

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All you have to do is write to us with your requirements and deadline, and we will find and assign a reliable college paper writer for you. From choosing the appropriate topic to doing research and accurately citing references, our assigned writing expert will work with you to create an exemplary essay that will help you ace this assignment.

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211 God Essay Topics & Examples

Whether you’re willing to write about your beliefs regarding religions, how the Bible was created, or devotion in your life, you may need a good title. Get the perfect God topic from the list prepared by our experts here.

🏆 Best God Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

👍 good god essay topics, 🔍 simple & easy god essay title, 📑 interesting topics about god, 💡 good research topics about god.

• “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manly Hopkins: Poem Analysis In “God’s Grandeur,” the author, Hopkins, expresses his admiration for the splendor of God and His creation, as well as his dismay at how humankind lost sight of the special relationship between God and the […]
• Roman and the Greek God Apollo Differences This essay examines the similarities and the differences between the Roman and the Greek god Apollo, and his importance in the leadership philosophies.
• Understanding of God – “Night” by Elie Wiesel Although Elie questions the whole concept of faith in God, he never stops to ask questions that connect him with God.
• Elizer’s Struggle to Keep Faith in God This was an indication that although his faith had started to change, he still had faith in God. He was able to come out of the holocaust with a stronger faith.
• The Beauty of God’s Creation. Theology The style of foreshadowing is evident in the short story “The Birthmark”. Everything appears perfect in the sight of the creator and people should embrace that to give God all the glory.
• The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God Kant’s objection to the ontological argument stems from his view of the concept that a being that is conceived in the human mind, and which exists in the real world, is superior to an idea […]
• The Role of Religion and God in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi as Influenced by Poe’s the Narrative of Arthur Grogon Pym of Nantucket As highlighted in the in the introductory part, religion is one of the themes that stand out in the Life of Pi.
• The Word Was God: Exegesis of John 1:1-18 John 1:1 is the first verse in the opening chapter of the Gospel of John, which is the fourth of the canonical gospels and the fourth book of the New Testament of the Bible.
• Abraham and God We must obey God and keep His word so that He can continue to be with us, and our future generations. God loves you and He will honour His covenant to you.
• The Mystery of God and Human Being in “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Frankl Overall, the quintessence of Frankl’s argument regarding the mystery of God and human beings can be seen in his theory of logotherapy that shows people as living entities who find satisfaction in searching for the […]
• Ethics and Practical Advantage to Believe in God The morality of faith in God depends on personal beliefs and values, and it is up to each individual to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a belief.
• God and Problem of Evil in Johnson’s Philosophy As for the moral features of God, it is possible to assume that he is evil since he causes many evil events.
• The Bible and Interpretation of God’s Word One of the angles I have never considered before is that the purpose of the rules established by God in the Bible was to remind people that they, by their nature, will never be able […]
• The Concept of God in World Religions It chooses the fairness of God, and has the meaning of a being that is the entirety of abilities, strengths, and causes in creation.
• The Doctrine of the Word of God Hence, the word spoken by the God is essentially the power of the word that is spoken by the God. The presence of the God is perpetuated through the word of God.
• David Is a Man by God’s Heart: Life and Humility This was occasioned by the pain he had due to the quagmire that accosted his family. Summarily, these are some of the reasons that prompted God’s reference to David as a man after His heart.
• The Household of God: The Nature of the Church The book “The Household of God: Lecture on the Nature of the Church” written by Newbigin in 1953 explores the history of Christendom to understand and explain the meaning of the word ‘church.’ The author […]
• Is Jesus Christ God? Priest and scribes accused Jesus Christ on the account that he blasphemed the name of God for He called Himself the Son of the living God and claimed to have the ability to forgive sins.
• The God of Small Things Writer of the novel considers breaking the laws of love a taboo in the Indian Community. These rules or laws of love were applicable to all the people in the society irrespective of sex or […]
• Aquinas on the Existence of God God exists as it is the beginning of everything, as God is necessary just for the personal existence and this is the beginning of other issues which may be possibly exist or not as well […]
• Their Eyes Were Watching God: Summary, Main Themes, and Evaluation In this essay, the summary of the narrative and description of the main characters and themes will be provided. The protagonist of the story, Janie Crawford, is a very na ve and dreamy girl who […]
• Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of Mankind Although he does not embrace the notion of Jesus as the son of God and the savior of mankind, Gandhi acknowledges that the teachings and life of Jesus are worth emulating.
• What is the Real Relationship between Jesus and God? The Bottom-Line Between God the Son and God the Father The Trinitarian believers puts the position of Jesus while trying to explain whom he was in comparison to the father in a better and more comprehensive fashion, that the Father is God, as well as […]
• R.Descartes’ and T.Aquinas’ Views on God Existence Through this, he learned that it was impossible for him to deny the existence of God. In the chapter, he argues that the lack of God’s existence was impracticable.
• The Five Proofs of God’s Existence Higgins in his examination of the work of Aquinas states that “the arguments of Aquinas center around the five proofs of God’s existence namely: the argument of the unmoved mover, the argument of the first […]
• God and People’s Suffering However, people have a limited understanding of the role of suffering in life and this makes it possible for them to believe that there is no god.
• Judaism; The Covenant Between God and Israel However, the New Covenant with the new life in salvation has got its benefits which include perpetual peace, love and joy.”To know God in the present is to experience the life of the age to […]
• Mythology’s Role in the Ancient Greece – God Poseidon He was believed to be the creator and the controller of the sea therefore, people gave him respect and they make him to become angry. Poseidon was a god of the sea and therefore was […]
• Descartes’ Argument for the Existence of God Hume’s argument gets interesting when he postulates that regardless of the number of times we witness a succession of events, we cannot predict the succession of events.
• Hick allegations on how a perfect God might allow evil To use Hick’s allegations on the existence of evil as a plan of God is confusing to Christians. It is in this view that Hick traces back the reason of sinning to God.
• Promoting Social Justice Through Serving God Therefore, serving God in action correlates with the promotion of social justice and reflects the importance of Christian teachings about kindness towards others.
• How the God Communicates With the Mankind It is the responsibility of Christians to communicate to both fellow Christian and non-Christians as the only way of passing the good news to God’s people.
• Understanding of God in Eliezer’s “Night” His unshakable and unconditional faith in God is demonstrated at the beginning of the text through his interest in Talmud, and expressing grief over the destruction of the Temple.
• Anubis: The Statuette of the Egyptian God The mission of Anubis was to guide the souls of the recently dead people through the underworld. This art object is masterfully carved and color-coded, especially the clothing of Anubis that has a rhombus pattern.
• Experiences in the Boat and God’s Grandeur The narrator got used to his father so much that he even woke up in the middle of the night or at four in the morning.
• Eternal Life as Knowledge of God Christians believe that avoidance of sin and emulation of the life of Jesus are sufficient to create a relationship with God.
• Existence of God and Evil Based on the assessment of what is good and evil, there is no logical evidence of the presence of God and evil.
• Zora Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God One of the peculiar features of the work is the form chosen by the author. Just like a mule, Janie is forced to work in the field with her husband.
• God’s Covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12-22 The covenant with Abraham is of primary relevance to a correct interpretation of the concept of the kingdom and is basic to Old Testament doctrine.
• “The Mission of God’s People” Book by C. Wright The book The Mission of God’s People is a biblical context of how Christians should understand the meaning of mission based on God’s purpose in the world.
• The “God Still Matters” Essay by Herbert McCabe Herbert McCabe’s essay provides a vivid description of James Cone’s view and approaches to the theological problem of evil through The Cross and Lynching tree.
• God’s Existence as a Topic in Philosophy While the famous dilemma of the coexistence of God and evil represents a peculiar contradiction, it does not deny the existence of God; instead, it points to the inconsistency in the existing narrative and the […]
• God’s Healing Is Not Influenced by Level of Faith For example, in response to the courage that the woman with the flow of blood demonstrated, Jesus said that the faith she had made her whole.
• Cavendish’s vs. Spinoza’s Views on God In addition to this, Cavendish understanding of the existing relationship between God and the one substance is twofold. The only point of departure in this similarity is that as for Spinoza, God is not a […]
• Kilner’s “Humanity in God’s Image” Article Critique A powerful boost to one’s sense of self-worth can be attained by first coming to terms with the fact that we are created in the image and likeness of God and, as a result, take […]
• The Existence of God: Key Arguments The cosmological proof of the existence of God was developed by the ancients and is most often found in the following form.
• Pascal’s Wager: Belief in God as a Rational Choice It is one of the favorite tools of religious preachers who try to appeal to famous names and a kind of logic to convince people to enter their faith. The second argument against Pascal’s wager […]
• The Divine Sovereignty of God and the Free Will of Man God’s intervention in history means for most biblical authors that the will of God ultimately determines the course of events, and human freedom is manifested in the fact that he either accepts this will of […]
• Defense of God’s Love Using Systematic Theology The detailed analysis of the nature of God such as the living God implies that in His infinite spirit, He is alive and is the source and the support of every life form.
• The Existence of God: Apologetics Field-Based Activity I hope to use the lines of argumentation in the conversation in a manner to ensures the interlocutor in the historical reliability of pieces of evidence.
• Creativity of God Expressed in Colorado Springs In the Biblical context, the premise of creativity is perceived through the lens of God’s creation: “God’s relationship to the world is analogous to an artist’s relationship to her art; the natural world reveals the […]
• God’s Teachings on Salvation and How to Obtain It Finally, the scripture tells us that God is love, and Jesus presents the nature of God to human beings. Obeying the commands of God through Jesus helps Christians to overcome challenges on earth and await […]
• Retention of Youth by Indian Church of God A case study approach gives a chance to assess how strong the impact of the Indian Church of God is and to evaluate the role of individual members of the church, in particular, the senior […]
• The Search for God in the Economic World A person can share with others and donate personal savings, but neither the Bible nor other Christian scriptures have ever mentioned the amount of money as an adequate objective to follow.
• Religious View of the God Judgement It can be argued that the Lord is the supervisor; once there is doubt about the existence of this guard, a man who is a potential malefactor is capable of anything.
• The Work “Engaging God’s World as Christian Thinkers” by Daniel R. Spanjer Spanjer discusses what tools are the most valuable to use in the initial consideration of the world around. The main idea of this chapter, therefore, is the need to understand the laws of the subject […]
• The God of Love in Greek & Roman Mythology Moreover, over time the love story of Eros and Psyche became one of the most admired myths in both Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
• God’s Doctrine Through His Wrath and Love The inconsistency in the interpretation is reflected in the depiction of the divine wrath in the Old Testament and the New Testament, and the burning rage against sinners in the Old Covenant frequently prevents people […]
• Why We Have Good Reason to Believe in God The question of the validity of belief in God, no matter how it may seem beaten at first glance, is very actively discussed in the modern analytical philosophy of religion and the related sciences.
• The Believer’s Body as God’s Temple The Bible is one of the most popular books in the world, which is the primary source and rule of faith.
• Davidic Covenant and God’s Promises in Abrahamic Covenant The God-appointed portion of Judah is described as covering most of the southern portion of the Land of Israel, including Jerusalem, the desert of Zin, and the Negev.
• A Theological View on God and Religion in Creating Legal Laws Moral laws should base on God’s commands because; God is the giver of universal objectivity of morality, God gives the ultimate justice, and God is the creator and giver of all human knowledge.
• Evolutionary Ethics vs. Belief in God In addition, the disadvantage of the evolutionary theory is that moral and ethical norms cannot be determined only to a biological degree.
• Theology: Love of God Love for God is expressed in the fulfillment of His commandments. It is especially important if the speech concerns a conversation with people of a different cultural background0.
• The Image of God According to Jewish Bible With that said, Middlemas argues that the form of God is not fixed in a likeness of a man, rejecting both the gendered aspect and the overall humanlike presentation.
• God’s Love, Evil and Rebellion: Critical Philosophical Analysis Everyone believes in the power of a higher being, and to most of us, God is the greatest of all, the creator of all that exists.
• “The Prophets, the Priesthood, and the Image of God (Gen 1, 26-27)”: Article Analysis Then, Middlemas summarizes the used strategies in two groups and argues that even those texts that liken God to a human use two genders, which strengthens the aniconic interpretation.
• God of the Bible From a Psychological Perspective The discussion of importance and impact of the story of resurrection is the main theme discussed during the resurrection Sundays every year.
• God’s Existence: René Descartes’ “Meditations on First Philosophy” He comes to the thesis that the doubt in the reality of perception testifies to the consciousness and existence of a person and that the features of human nature evidence God’s existence.
• Elie Wiesel – The Holocaust and His Quest for God Elie lost his mother to the Holocaust. His sister also died at this time. It is made more painful by the fact that he never saw his family members dead or dying.
• Discipleship in Christianity: Giving God Your Best For one to attain the full status of a disciple, he has to be curious about the Word of the Lord, be convinced then get fully committed to living in the ways of the Lord.
• Perspectives of Believing in God According to Booker, it is believed that God is the sole provider of everything including air that people inhale, properties people own, and even families owned by different people.
• “Is God a Christian?” Book by Raleigh Kirby Godsey The writer considers serious issues about human comprehension of the idea of truth, the origination of a strict perspective, and the idea of adherents’ responsibility.
• Does God Exist?: The Believer and the Atheist Dialogue By doing so, you will get “the idea of the existence of a supreme being that is perfect, through necessary existence”.
• Christ’s Entry Into Jerusalem: The Glory of God The author made a miracle of a work to make people believe in the reality of the action in the picture.
• Religion: Christians’ Belief in God So, in essence, he might take such turbulent times as a test of faith since the belief in the existence of God lies within the affirmation that God is in all things that we encounter.
• Critical Reflection on Different Viewpoints to the Existence of God At the beginning of each day, as one awakens from slumber, the first thing that comes to mind is not a philosophical idea with regards to the existence of God but the absorption of the […]
• The Different Definitions of the Phrase “Playing God” In this vein, let us assume that the meaning here is doing something that is ethically beyond the purview of a human being.
• Celie: Character Development and Perception of God The life of the black country girl Celie, the main character of the novel The Color Purple, is invisible against the background of world history.
• “God in You” by Dr. David Jeremiah Jeremiah’s book is to inspire Christians to embrace the significance in the teachings and practice of Christianity through the Spirit of God, the author emphasizes the importance of the Spirit by listing how the Spirit […]
• The Idea of God Is Either a Fact, Like Sand, or a Fantasy, Like Santa The latter refers to the force-majeure or acts of God when the pain and suffering of living creatures are outside the power of any human being.
• Announcing the Reign of God by Mortimer Arais The book on the question is and entitled Announcing the Reign of God: Evangelization and the Subversive Memory of Jesus and it is written by Mortimer Arais.
• Person: The Image of God in the Contemporary World As documented in the literature, the “image of God” concept affirms our capacity to celebrate the dignity of the human person in relationship to God and the world, and also to reinforce the importance of […]
• Bush on God: Bushisms From a Satirical Point of View According to the latest news, more and more people believe in the coming of the new Prophet. The witnesses claim, he was receiving a new message from the God at that moment.
• Analysis of God’s Existence: Proving of Existence or Non-existence Whereas Nagel claimed that “The existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God is thus postulated as a necessary condition for the possibility of a moral life” but he immediately contradicts existence of God putting […]
• Lartey’s Postcolonializing God: An African Practical Theology Emmaneul Lartey’s Postcolonializing God: An African Practical Theology consists of six chapters that are accompanied by the author’s comments, elucidations, and demonstrative examples, testifying to the importance and adequacy of Lartey’s approach to the African […]
• Engagement of Jonathan Edwards’ Sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God With the Christian Ideology His sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God is an emotional appeal to turn back to the traditional for the pioneer’s strict postulates of the religion.
• Teleological Argument for God’s Existence According to Paley and Humes Critique Each piece working together with the other pieces to accomplish a variety of tasks although not perfect…”the purpose of the machinery, the design and the designer might be evident and in the case supposed, would […]
• The Emerging Feminism in India and Their Views on God as a Feminist However, among the explanation of the cause of the phenomenon for this lack of agreement is the tendency for people to define religion too narrowly, and in most cases from the perspective of their own […]
• God and Darwin’s Evolution Theory: A Theological Approach The descent of God reiterates the theology of evolution in which Jesus postulates himself as a slave and not as God. Hence this makes the theology of nature and the essence of the entirety of […]
• Defining God Into Existence: By the Philosophical and Religious Beliefs It is a strong aspect that is in the article.”Defining God into existence” is an article that attempts to define God in relation to apophatic teachings of the “via negativa”.
• “A Question of God: Selected Poems” by Andtew Jantz: Main Aspects The denial of the truth is probably because of the complexities that the world is finding in reading the bible which is due to a lack of patience.
• The Main Discussion Themes in Podcast Asteroids, Stars, and the Love of God This podcast presented an interesting discussion on a number of important issues, but three of them, namely, the relationship between science and religion, the indeterminism of the universe, and ignorance in science and religion, were […]
• Defining God: The Arguments of Elizabeth Johnson As mentioned by Johnson, women’s influence is already felt in different aspects of religion and, particularly, in the one dealing with the “central issue of the image and concept of the divine, the One who […]
• Human Enhancement: Coady’s Passage on Accusations of Playing God This paper critically comments on Coady’s passage on accusations of playing God normally focused on the secular agents by the predominant religious leaders and the possibility of the trend shifting back to the religious leaders.
• Secular World and God’s Detects on Dating and Mating Process According to the rules and traditions of contemporary life, most young and immature people believe that dating is the best way to express attitude, develop understanding, and establish a firm ground for further relationships.
• Descartes and Existance of God: Thoughts in a Jar This is where he manages to convince himself that the only reasonable explanation for “the perfect idea of perfection” is God: By the name of God I understand a substance that is infinite, independent, all-knowing, […]
• Existence of God: The Theories Review Over the years, there have been opinions over the existence of a supreme being, with the power that surpasses all wisdom and mankind.
• Pope and Montesquieu: Humanity and God Existence The works of both Pope and Montesquieu contain the ideas of humanity, existence of God and part of a man in the life of the society.
• God and Human Sexuality: Changes in Culture and Morality In the Sermon on the Mount, for example, he stresses the return to the original purpose of the Old Testament law which can be fulfilled not just by refraining from murder, adultery, and false oaths, […]
• Who God Is and What Relationship Exists in Man and God This section of the paper aims to highlight some of the arguments by thinkers on who God is and the definition of the relationship between God and man.
• Anselm: Ontological Argument for the God’s Existence He considers the understanding of God’s existence as some of the things that exist in the stated place. He states that the love for God is the main aspect of the just among the human […]
• Blaise Pascal: The Question of God’s Existence And if people do not have strong arguments that can support his or her idea it is better not to come into debate.”The right thing is not to wager at all”.
• God’s Great Promises to Human Beings The book of acts was written by Apostle Paul with the greater intention s of creating a realistic understanding of the word of God and the promises he made as it was portrayed through the […]
• Descartes “Two Proofs for the Existence of God” He does not satisfactorily give justification of his claim that the relationship between the truth of the idea objective and the recognized truth of the event that brings about the idea is direct.
• Myths of Male Devine: Knowledge About God Biology is relegated to the backseat and the role of women in procreation is rubbished by these myths. In some communities, the status of a man is equal to that of a god or a […]
• The Role of God or Goddess in Aeschylus’s The Oresteia Says William von Humboldt of the Agamemnon, and his remarks might be applied to the entire trilogy: “Among all the products of the Greek stage none can compare with it in tragic power; no other […]
• God and Darwin in the Science Classroom: Whither Student Beliefs? In February this year, Moore and Cotner published in The American Biology Teacher the results of a college student survey that revealed the continuing chasm between evolution theory and creationism in the high school science […]
• Philosophy of Religion: God’s Omniscience The belief is that God is a being, who is not only the creator of everything in existence and is the central source of wisdom, love, and divine intervention in the universe.
• The Gagging of God: History of Religion The disparity in religious beliefs has created a wide range of gulf among the individuals, though all religions strongly believe that God is the Lord of the Empyrean and has complete command over the past, […]
• Wittgenstein: It Is Irrational to Believe in God In the case in which there is a problem, on the other hand, it seems absurd to suppose that activity either is or is not a game and that whether it is can be ascertained […]
• The God’s Existence: Cosmological Proof In such a way Aquinas led to a conclusion that there is a thing that is beyond the characteristic of merely possible to exist; a thing which existence is a necessity not a possibility.
• Reasonability of Believing in God’s Existence Moreover, another proof of the reasonability of believing in God’s existence is the fact that billions of people are united by this belief.
• Different Descriptions of the Kingdom of God In using metaphors, The Kingdom of God as a model taught by Jesus can bring nearer the idea that the Kingdom is above the time and place.
• Augustine and Boethius on the Role of God The kingdom of God has thus come and is present in the Church despite the fact that the Church is to be purified, at the Final Judgment, of the tares that now grow within it.
• The Bible God and the Greek God Comparison Greek God and Goddess have not been given any proper mention in The Bible, but at more instances it has been given reference as unknown gods and the goddess to the people of Asian origin […]
• Understanding the Nature of God The idea of considering the traditional definition of God as the being that cannot be comprehended allows altering the theological understanding of the Creator.
• Dan Korman: God Could Not Allow Suffering The main idea of the argument is that much hatred and injustice in the world do not harmonize with the image of God, who is omnibeing, loving, wise, and fair.
• God, Others and Self: Catholic Morality It is necessary to note that Christian ethics is a crucial part of the Christian religion that defines appropriate and wrong behaviors, and is based on several sources.
• Philosophy. Existence of God: Moral Arguments However, the natural universe is characterized by gigantic, complex, and fascinating features compared to those of the artificial world. This means that there is no conclusion to a single creator of the universe.
• God, People, Self-Identity in the “Jesus” Movie One of the most memorable descriptions of God by Jesus, as seen in the film, is that according to Christ, God’s ways are counterintuitive and one may never cease to experience the sensation of humility […]
• The Message to Think of Jesus as God Ye that travailest to keep the good spirits at the hard times; though that hath stood the times of lament and cry; ye that hath no fear for anything but the Wrath of God, are […]
• Gregory Jones: Question of God Jones states that living with a merciful heart and god-like compassion is the answer to the deepest question of god of how to accept all the horrors of life and sustain hope and belief in […]
• Religious Experience as the God Existence Argument These experiences which are known as religious experiences are held to differ from ordinary experiences in that what is experienced is taken by the person to be some supernatural being or presence, a being related […]
• The Philosophy Arguments of God Existence He argues that human beings may not know the identity or the capability of the being that made the watch, but this does not negate the very existence of that being.
• Marketing Challenge Encountered by Assemblies of God The supporters of the Assemblies of God view the Bible as the word of God, being a sufficient guide for the faith and actions of a person.
• Job’s Suffering and God’s Response The fact is, Job chooses to challenge the existing rules due to the visible unfairness of his suffering. Overall, the question that is raised by the Book of Job is whether we know how to […]
• Theories of the God Existence and Ethics This theory argues that God’s existence through the very definition of God and the fact that people try to argue about this shows that indeed God exists.
• God in “On Being an Atheist” by H. J. McCloskey According to Evans Stephen and Manis Zachary, the existence of a contingent being who does not have an explanation of his or her own existence and argues that he is the cause of the contingent […]
• Nature, Degree and Words of God The purpose of this essay is to investigate the nature, degree, and words of God in order to explain His true nature.
• Testing a Person for His Faith and Devotion to God Suffering is usually perceived as a negative experience since it is commonly believed that it is a punishment for the sinner.
• The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam book by Karen Armstrong, is one of the most attractive, readable, and concise books on the emergence of fundamentalism in the three faiths.
• Teleological Argument for God’s Existence That is, in their strive to prove the existence of God, theologians mainly operate with the categories of logic, which in turn is expected to legitimize the validity of the would-be obtained insights into the […]
• God Images and Relationship with Him For instance, an African American, whose image of God is that of a white person, may feel alienated and might believe that s/he is not necessarily a ‘child of God’ because of the difference between […]
• Dr. Collins’ Views on the Existence of God The presence of hardship and suffering is not evidence that God does not exist, rather it is evidence that the world, as we know it, is full of challenges and that the only way to […]
• Thomas Aquinas: Morality and God As the matter of fact, the fourth argument has the moral aspect that shows the Aquinas’s attitude towards the relationship between the God and morality.
• William Paley’s Natural Theology Paley’s argument on the existence of God, the way he compares and contrasts God and his creation with a watch and a watchmaker, is relevant and to some extent realistic.
• Perfect Island Theory vs God’s Existence In summary, Descartes implies that since we do have an idea of a being that is all powerful and perfect, and since we can distinctly and clearly assign the attribute of necessarily existence to this […]
• The City of God But despite the fact that the changes came very soon and caught people unawares, the bravest summoned up their courage and found the spirits to struggle against the invasion of the barbarians, their hope nestling […]
• Eliezer’s Faith in God – “Night” by Elie Wiesel Literature Analysis Eliezer’s faith in God changes throughout the book, as Eliezer experiences the challenges of the Holocaust. The events in the book regarding Elizer’s faith are quite sarcastic and dramatic as Eliezer’s faith moves from an […]
• Diseases and Disasters: Where Is God in All This? Each stage of the plotline is characteristic of the freedom of God as evident in his progressive revelation of himself as a faithful God who keeps promises, but on the other hand declines to put […]
• Christianity and Islam: Service to God and Afterlife The structure of this paper analyzes the service to God and the perception of the afterlife, as highlights of the differences and similarities about the Christian and Islamic perceptions of life.
• Religious Subculture: Arrow of God The interviewed member acknowledged that “the rector interviews potential members and administers the special sacrament, which is intended to bind the recruits to the oath of secrecy, religious cleanliness, and submission to the rules and […]
• William Paley’s Philosophy Argument of God’s Existence The philosopher compares the creator to a watchmaker and states that the presence of design proves the existence of a designer, although some of his ideas and statements fail to pass a logical approach.
• The God’s World Creation Story With respect to the first chapters of Genesis, Hamilton posits, “…the battle lines are drawn between the interpretation of the creation story and scientific knowledge about the origin of the earth and mankind”.
• Can God and Real Evil Be Reconciled? Despite the fact that God and the Evil are traditionally opposed in Christianity, the only possible way of handling the evil should be viewed through the reconciliation of the two, since the former, as the […]
• Logical Contradiction Between the Existence of God and Evil A majority of the people believe that the presence of wickedness and misery in the world, is the first evidence to the inexistence of God. In essence, this argument proves that it is not easy […]
• On God and Christ When reading through the work of Saint Paul, it can be seen that his style of writing/ delivery of certain aspects of religious introspection were somewhat “limited” in that he placed a greater degree of […]
• Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God’s Glory In the next two chapters of the book, the author looks at the battle between the flesh and spirit, which is the third tool used by the enemy in spiritual warfare.
• Acts of God to Earth science system and the shift from Growth Paradigm to Sustainability Paradigm In this paper, a comprehensive comparison of the two scientific shifts is developed to enhance knowledge in the shift from growth paradigm to sustainability paradigm, attempting to predict the time needed for the world to […]
• What do Lonergan, Loewe, and Miller Say About the Mysteries of God and the Human Person To explain the character of the relations between the man and God, it is necessary to answer the question of God’s mysteries and the nature of the human person with references to Lonergan, Loewe, and […]
• The interview by Francis Collins on The Language of GOD While religion and science cannot be disentangled from the reality of God and creation, there is a sharp contrast between scientific discoveries and most of the biblical doctrines. It is the worst form of criticism […]
• Development of the God Concept in Children These spiritual pillars are shown to these children to ensure that they are pure in their minds and their hearts in their daily activities according to the wishes and will of God.
• Analysis of No God but God by Reza Aslan and Formations of Persecuting Society by Richard Moore Aslan, however, vouches for a situation where Islam and democracy can exist hand in hand in such a way that only Islam stays in the background to guide on the moral and religious aspects as […]
• Description Terms: God and His Link With the World Theism is the belief in the existence of one God who is the creator of mankind. This ‘something’ is God’s supernatural abilities that explain the cause of everything that exits in the universe.
• Religion and God on the Brain The investigations conducted by Benson and the team of sophisticated scientists are based on the fact that intercessory prayer may influence the process of recovery in a variety of ways.
• Bernard Clairvaux’s Reasons to Love God We have a debt to love God because of His unconditional love for us, His will to draw us closer to Him while we are still sinners and His work in our lives even when […]
• Luther: man between God and the Devil In the preface, one gets the impression that Oberman does not give religion or the state of the society as much weight as a factor that affected Luther’s life.
• Traditional Conception of God This is one of the assumptions that can be made. This is one of the limitations that can be identified.
• A Critical Review of The Realm of God’s Providence from the Arminian and Calvinist Perspectives Such events include the existence of the universe itself, the interaction between the world and the rest of the entire solar system, and the existence of life on earth.
• Spinoza’s Views on God
• The Ontological Argument to Prove God’s Existence
• The Downfall of Pentheus: The Clash of a Monarch and a God
• The mysteries of God and a Human Being
• Concept of morals and the existence of God
• What Does the Bible Say About the Mysteries of God and the Human Person?
• God in Christianity: Theology and Philosophy
• The Word of God Scripture
• God and Piety: The Euthyphro Problem
• How Treated the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments
• An Interpretation of the Phrase ‘Jesus: The Son of God’
• God’s Election: Ministry and Christian Development
• Descartes’ Concept of God
• The Family is God’s Tool of Revealing Himself to the World
• The Search Continues: Who Is God?
• Eliezer’s Struggle to Keep His Faith in God
• This Text and not That Text Is the Complete and Total Words of God
• The Sovereignty and Goodness of God
• The Sovereignty Goodness of God
• St. Anselm’s Ontological Proof of God
• Difficult Gospel: God’s True Love to Mankind
• Morality Is Rooted in the Character of God
• God Overreact and Floods the World by Alan Dershowitz
• Christianity, Islam, and Judaism Perspectives on God
• Debate Over God’s Existence
• Leave it Empty: Existence of God and Evil
• Philosophy of Religion: Argument According to Pascal’s Wager on the Belief in God
• God is responsible for the continuation of evil
• Hick’s Theory of the Attitude Towards God and Sin
• The Existence Debate and How It Relates To God
• Is Anselm right in asserting God’s existence is necessary?
• Comparative Analysis of the View of God, Jesus, and Salvation among Adoptionists and Gnostics
• Is Hick Right That the Project of Soul-Making Explains How a Perfect God Might Allow Evil?
• Repentance and sincerity to God
• Intelligence and God Existence
• Change in Wiesel’s Understanding of God
• God Definition by Muslims, Christians, Atheists and Rastafarians
• God and Holy Scriptures
• The Belief in God
• Wiesel’s Changing Understanding of God
• Betting on God’s Existence
• Critical Evaluation of Self, God and Other Philosophical Phenomena
• Early Sufi Women: Perfect Union With God
• God Theory: An Evaluation of Debate on Existence of God
• Nietzsche: Death of God
• Evidence that God exists
• The Question of God’s Existence from the Viewpoints of William Paley and David Hume
• Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
• Do I Need God to be Moral or Happy?
• Catholicism Topics
• Buddhism Topics
• Belief Questions
• Catholic Church Titles
• Islam Topics
• Confucianism Titles
• Greek Mythology Titles
• Old Testament Essay Titles
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Most selective colleges require you to submit an essay or personal statement as part of your application.

It may sound like a chore, and it will certainly take a substantial amount of work. But it's also a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time. Admissions committees put the most weight on your high school grades and your test scores . However, selective colleges receive applications from many worthy students with similar scores and grades—too many to admit. So they use your essay, along with your letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities , to find out what sets you apart from the other talented candidates.

Telling Your Story to Colleges

So what does set you apart?

You have a unique background, interests and personality. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.

Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.

You don't need to have started your own business or have spent the summer hiking the Appalachian Trail. Colleges are simply looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add something to the first-year class.

Tips for a Stellar College Application Essay

1. write about something that's important to you..

It could be an experience, a person, a book—anything that has had an impact on your life. 

2. Don't just recount—reflect! 

Anyone can write about how they won the big game or the summer they spent in Rome. When recalling these events, you need to give more than the play-by-play or itinerary. Describe what you learned from the experience and how it changed you.

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3. Being funny is tough.

A student who can make an admissions officer laugh never gets lost in the shuffle. But beware. What you think is funny and what an adult working in a college thinks is funny are probably different. We caution against one-liners, limericks and anything off–color.

4. Start early and write several drafts.

Set it aside for a few days and read it again. Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions officer: Is the essay interesting? Do the ideas flow logically? Does it reveal something about the applicant? Is it written in the applicant’s own voice?

5. No repeats.

What you write in your application essay or personal statement should not contradict any other part of your application–nor should it repeat it. This isn't the place to list your awards or discuss your grades or test scores.

6. Answer the question being asked.

Don't reuse an answer to a similar question from another application.

7. Have at least one other person edit your essay.

A teacher or college counselor is your best resource. And before you send it off, check, check again, and then triple check to make sure your essay is free of spelling or grammar errors.

Read More: 2018-2019 Common Application Essay Prompts (and How to Answer Them)

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, getting college essay help: important do's and don’ts.

College Essays

If you grow up to be a professional writer, everything you write will first go through an editor before being published. This is because the process of writing is really a process of re-writing —of rethinking and reexamining your work, usually with the help of someone else. So what does this mean for your student writing? And in particular, what does it mean for very important, but nonprofessional writing like your college essay? Should you ask your parents to look at your essay? Pay for an essay service?

If you are wondering what kind of help you can, and should, get with your personal statement, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll talk about what kind of writing help is useful, ethical, and even expected for your college admission essay . I'll also point out who would make a good editor, what the differences between editing and proofreading are, what to expect from a good editor, and how to spot and stay away from a bad one.

Table of Contents

What Kind of Help for Your Essay Can You Get?

What's Good Editing?

What should an editor do for you, what kind of editing should you avoid, proofreading, what's good proofreading, what kind of proofreading should you avoid.

What Do Colleges Think Of You Getting Help With Your Essay?

Who Can/Should Help You?

Advice for editors.

Should You Pay Money For Essay Editing?

The Bottom Line

What's next, what kind of help with your essay can you get.

Rather than talking in general terms about "help," let's first clarify the two different ways that someone else can improve your writing . There is editing, which is the more intensive kind of assistance that you can use throughout the whole process. And then there's proofreading, which is the last step of really polishing your final product.

Let me go into some more detail about editing and proofreading, and then explain how good editors and proofreaders can help you."

Editing is helping the author (in this case, you) go from a rough draft to a finished work . Editing is the process of asking questions about what you're saying, how you're saying it, and how you're organizing your ideas. But not all editing is good editing . In fact, it's very easy for an editor to cross the line from supportive to overbearing and over-involved.

Ability to clarify assignments. A good editor is usually a good writer, and certainly has to be a good reader. For example, in this case, a good editor should make sure you understand the actual essay prompt you're supposed to be answering.

Open-endedness. Good editing is all about asking questions about your ideas and work, but without providing answers. It's about letting you stick to your story and message, and doesn't alter your point of view.

Think of an editor as a great travel guide. It can show you the many different places your trip could take you. It should explain any parts of the trip that could derail your trip or confuse the traveler. But it never dictates your path, never forces you to go somewhere you don't want to go, and never ignores your interests so that the trip no longer seems like it's your own. So what should good editors do?

Help Brainstorm Topics

Sometimes it's easier to bounce thoughts off of someone else. This doesn't mean that your editor gets to come up with ideas, but they can certainly respond to the various topic options you've come up with. This way, you're less likely to write about the most boring of your ideas, or to write about something that isn't actually important to you.

If you're wondering how to come up with options for your editor to consider, check out our guide to brainstorming topics for your college essay .

Help Revise Your Drafts

Here, your editor can't upset the delicate balance of not intervening too much or too little. It's tricky, but a great way to think about it is to remember: editing is about asking questions, not giving answers .

Revision questions should point out:

• Places where more detail or more description would help the reader connect with your essay
• Places where structure and logic don't flow, losing the reader's attention
• Places where there aren't transitions between paragraphs, confusing the reader
• Moments where your narrative or the arguments you're making are unclear

But pointing to potential problems is not the same as actually rewriting—editors let authors fix the problems themselves.

Bad editing is usually very heavy-handed editing. Instead of helping you find your best voice and ideas, a bad editor changes your writing into their own vision.

You may be dealing with a bad editor if they:

• Add material (examples, descriptions) that doesn't come from you
• Use a thesaurus to make your college essay sound "more mature"
• Add meaning or insight to the essay that doesn't come from you
• Tell you what to say and how to say it
• Write sentences, phrases, and paragraphs for you
• Change your voice in the essay so it no longer sounds like it was written by a teenager

Colleges can tell the difference between a 17-year-old's writing and a 50-year-old's writing. Not only that, they have access to your SAT or ACT Writing section, so they can compare your essay to something else you wrote. Writing that's a little more polished is great and expected. But a totally different voice and style will raise questions.

Where's the Line Between Helpful Editing and Unethical Over-Editing?

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether your college essay editor is doing the right thing. Here are some guidelines for staying on the ethical side of the line.

• An editor should say that the opening paragraph is kind of boring, and explain what exactly is making it drag. But it's overstepping for an editor to tell you exactly how to change it.
• An editor should point out where your prose is unclear or vague. But it's completely inappropriate for the editor to rewrite that section of your essay.
• An editor should let you know that a section is light on detail or description. But giving you similes and metaphors to beef up that description is a no-go.

Proofreading (also called copy-editing) is checking for errors in the last draft of a written work. It happens at the end of the process and is meant as the final polishing touch. Proofreading is meticulous and detail-oriented, focusing on small corrections. It sands off all the surface rough spots that could alienate the reader.

Because proofreading is usually concerned with making fixes on the word or sentence level, this is the only process where someone else can actually add to or take away things from your essay . This is because what they are adding or taking away tends to be one or two misplaced letters.

Laser focus. Proofreading is all about the tiny details, so the ability to really concentrate on finding small slip-ups is a must.

Excellent grammar and spelling skills. Proofreaders need to dot every "i" and cross every "t." Good proofreaders should correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. They should put foreign words in italics and surround quotations with quotation marks. They should check that you used the correct college's name, and that you adhered to any formatting requirements (name and date at the top of the page, uniform font and size, uniform spacing).

Limited interference. A proofreader needs to make sure that you followed any word limits. But if cuts need to be made to shorten the essay, that's your job and not the proofreader's.

A bad proofreader either tries to turn into an editor, or just lacks the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job.

Some signs that you're working with a bad proofreader are:

• If they suggest making major changes to the final draft of your essay. Proofreading happens when editing is already finished.
• If they aren't particularly good at spelling, or don't know grammar, or aren't detail-oriented enough to find someone else's small mistakes.
• If they start swapping out your words for fancier-sounding synonyms, or changing the voice and sound of your essay in other ways. A proofreader is there to check for errors, not to take the 17-year-old out of your writing.

What Do Colleges Think of Your Getting Help With Your Essay?

Admissions officers agree: light editing and proofreading are good—even required ! But they also want to make sure you're the one doing the work on your essay. They want essays with stories, voice, and themes that come from you. They want to see work that reflects your actual writing ability, and that focuses on what you find important.

On the Importance of Editing

Get feedback. Have a fresh pair of eyes give you some feedback. Don't allow someone else to rewrite your essay, but do take advantage of others' edits and opinions when they seem helpful. ( Bates College )

Read your essay aloud to someone. Reading the essay out loud offers a chance to hear how your essay sounds outside your head. This exercise reveals flaws in the essay's flow, highlights grammatical errors and helps you ensure that you are communicating the exact message you intended. ( Dickinson College )

On the Value of Proofreading

Share your essays with at least one or two people who know you well—such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend—and ask for feedback. Remember that you ultimately have control over your essays, and your essays should retain your own voice, but others may be able to catch mistakes that you missed and help suggest areas to cut if you are over the word limit. ( Yale University )

Proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you. Although we want substance, we also want to be able to see that you can write a paper for our professors and avoid careless mistakes that would drive them crazy. ( Oberlin College )

On Watching Out for Too Much Outside Influence

Limit the number of people who review your essay. Too much input usually means your voice is lost in the writing style. ( Carleton College )

Ask for input (but not too much). Your parents, friends, guidance counselors, coaches, and teachers are great people to bounce ideas off of for your essay. They know how unique and spectacular you are, and they can help you decide how to articulate it. Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. ( Vanderbilt University )

Now let's talk about some potential people to approach for your college essay editing and proofreading needs. It's best to start close to home and slowly expand outward. Not only are your family and friends more invested in your success than strangers, but they also have a better handle on your interests and personality. This knowledge is key for judging whether your essay is expressing your true self.

Parents or Close Relatives

Your family may be full of potentially excellent editors! Parents are deeply committed to your well-being, and family members know you and your life well enough to offer details or incidents that can be included in your essay. On the other hand, the rewriting process necessarily involves criticism, which is sometimes hard to hear from someone very close to you.

A parent or close family member is a great choice for an editor if you can answer "yes" to the following questions. Is your parent or close relative a good writer or reader? Do you have a relationship where editing your essay won't create conflict? Are you able to constructively listen to criticism and suggestion from the parent?

One suggestion for defusing face-to-face discussions is to try working on the essay over email. Send your parent a draft, have them write you back some comments, and then you can pick which of their suggestions you want to use and which to discard.

Teachers or Tutors

A humanities teacher that you have a good relationship with is a great choice. I am purposefully saying humanities, and not just English, because teachers of Philosophy, History, Anthropology, and any other classes where you do a lot of writing, are all used to reviewing student work.

Moreover, any teacher or tutor that has been working with you for some time, knows you very well and can vet the essay to make sure it "sounds like you."

If your teacher or tutor has some experience with what college essays are supposed to be like, ask them to be your editor. If not, then ask whether they have time to proofread your final draft.

Guidance or College Counselor at Your School

The best thing about asking your counselor to edit your work is that this is their job. This means that they have a very good sense of what colleges are looking for in an application essay.

At the same time, school counselors tend to have relationships with admissions officers in many colleges, which again gives them insight into what works and which college is focused on what aspect of the application.

Unfortunately, in many schools the guidance counselor tends to be way overextended. If your ratio is 300 students to 1 college counselor, you're unlikely to get that person's undivided attention and focus. It is still useful to ask them for general advice about your potential topics, but don't expect them to be able to stay with your essay from first draft to final version.

Friends, Siblings, or Classmates

Although they most likely don't have much experience with what colleges are hoping to see, your peers are excellent sources for checking that your essay is you .

Friends and siblings are perfect for the read-aloud edit. Read your essay to them so they can listen for words and phrases that are stilted, pompous, or phrases that just don't sound like you.

You can even trade essays and give helpful advice on each other's work.

If your editor hasn't worked with college admissions essays very much, no worries! Any astute and attentive reader can still greatly help with your process. But, as in all things, beginners do better with some preparation.

First, your editor should read our advice about how to write a college essay introduction , how to spot and fix a bad college essay , and get a sense of what other students have written by going through some admissions essays that worked .

Then, as they read your essay, they can work through the following series of questions that will help them to guide you.

Introduction Questions

• Is the first sentence a killer opening line? Why or why not?
• Does the introduction hook the reader? Does it have a colorful, detailed, and interesting narrative? Or does it propose a compelling or surprising idea?
• Can you feel the author's voice in the introduction, or is the tone dry, dull, or overly formal? Show the places where the voice comes through.

Essay Body Questions

• Does the essay have a through-line? Is it built around a central argument, thought, idea, or focus? Can you put this idea into your own words?
• How is the essay organized? By logical progression? Chronologically? Do you feel order when you read it, or are there moments where you are confused or lose the thread of the essay?
• Does the essay have both narratives about the author's life and explanations and insight into what these stories reveal about the author's character, personality, goals, or dreams? If not, which is missing?
• Does the essay flow? Are there smooth transitions/clever links between paragraphs? Between the narrative and moments of insight?

Reader Response Questions

• Does the writer's personality come through? Do we know what the speaker cares about? Do we get a sense of "who he or she is"?
• Where did you feel most connected to the essay? Which parts of the essay gave you a "you are there" sensation by invoking your senses? What moments could you picture in your head well?
• Where are the details and examples vague and not specific enough?
• Did you get an "a-ha!" feeling anywhere in the essay? Is there a moment of insight that connected all the dots for you? Is there a good reveal or "twist" anywhere in the essay?
• What are the strengths of this essay? What needs the most improvement?

Should You Pay Money for Essay Editing?

One alternative to asking someone you know to help you with your college essay is the paid editor route. There are two different ways to pay for essay help: a private essay coach or a less personal editing service , like the many proliferating on the internet.

My advice is to think of these options as a last resort rather than your go-to first choice. I'll first go through the reasons why. Then, if you do decide to go with a paid editor, I'll help you decide between a coach and a service.

When to Consider a Paid Editor

In general, I think hiring someone to work on your essay makes a lot of sense if none of the people I discussed above are a possibility for you.

If you can't ask your parents. For example, if your parents aren't good writers, or if English isn't their first language. Or if you think getting your parents to help is going create unnecessary extra conflict in your relationship with them (applying to college is stressful as it is!)

If you can't ask your teacher or tutor. Maybe you don't have a trusted teacher or tutor that has time to look over your essay with focus. Or, for instance, your favorite humanities teacher has very limited experience with college essays and so won't know what admissions officers want to see.

If you can't ask your guidance counselor. This could be because your guidance counselor is way overwhelmed with other students.

If you can't share your essay with those who know you. It might be that your essay is on a very personal topic that you're unwilling to share with parents, teachers, or peers. Just make sure it doesn't fall into one of the bad-idea topics in our article on bad college essays .

If the cost isn't a consideration. Many of these services are quite expensive, and private coaches even more so. If you have finite resources, I'd say that hiring an SAT or ACT tutor (whether it's PrepScholar or someone else) is better way to spend your money . This is because there's no guarantee that a slightly better essay will sufficiently elevate the rest of your application, but a significantly higher SAT score will definitely raise your applicant profile much more.

Should You Hire an Essay Coach?

On the plus side, essay coaches have read dozens or even hundreds of college essays, so they have experience with the format. Also, because you'll be working closely with a specific person, it's more personal than sending your essay to a service, which will know even less about you.

But, on the minus side, you'll still be bouncing ideas off of someone who doesn't know that much about you . In general, if you can adequately get the help from someone you know, there is no advantage to paying someone to help you.

If you do decide to hire a coach, ask your school counselor, or older students that have used the service for recommendations. If you can't afford the coach's fees, ask whether they can work on a sliding scale —many do. And finally, beware those who guarantee admission to your school of choice—essay coaches don't have any special magic that can back up those promises.

Should You Send Your Essay to a Service?

On the plus side, essay editing services provide a similar product to essay coaches, and they cost significantly less . If you have some assurance that you'll be working with a good editor, the lack of face-to-face interaction won't prevent great results.

On the minus side, however, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the service before working with them . If they are churning through many application essays without getting to know the students they are helping, you could end up with an over-edited essay that sounds just like everyone else's. In the worst case scenario, an unscrupulous service could send you back a plagiarized essay.

Getting recommendations from friends or a school counselor for reputable services is key to avoiding heavy-handed editing that writes essays for you or does too much to change your essay. Including a badly-edited essay like this in your application could cause problems if there are inconsistencies. For example, in interviews it might be clear you didn't write the essay, or the skill of the essay might not be reflected in your schoolwork and test scores.

Should You Buy an Essay Written by Someone Else?

Let me elaborate. There are super sketchy places on the internet where you can simply buy a pre-written essay. Don't do this!

For one thing, you'll be lying on an official, signed document. All college applications make you sign a statement saying something like this:

I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented... I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certified be false. (From the Common Application )

For another thing, if your academic record doesn't match the essay's quality, the admissions officer will start thinking your whole application is riddled with lies.

Admission officers have full access to your writing portion of the SAT or ACT so that they can compare work that was done in proctored conditions with that done at home. They can tell if these were written by different people. Not only that, but there are now a number of search engines that faculty and admission officers can use to see if an essay contains strings of words that have appeared in other essays—you have no guarantee that the essay you bought wasn't also bought by 50 other students.

• You should get college essay help with both editing and proofreading
• A good editor will ask questions about your idea, logic, and structure, and will point out places where clarity is needed
• A good editor will absolutely not answer these questions, give you their own ideas, or write the essay or parts of the essay for you
• A good proofreader will find typos and check your formatting
• All of them agree that getting light editing and proofreading is necessary
• Parents, teachers, guidance or college counselor, and peers or siblings
• If you can't ask any of those, you can pay for college essay help, but watch out for services or coaches who over-edit you work
• Don't buy a pre-written essay! Colleges can tell, and it'll make your whole application sound false.

Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications and then explore our step-by-step guide to writing a great college essay .

Using the Common Application for your college applications? We have an excellent guide to the Common App essay prompts and useful advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you . Wondering how other people tackled these prompts? Then work through our roundup of over 130 real college essay examples published by colleges .

Stressed about whether to take the SAT again before submitting your application? Let us help you decide how many times to take this test . If you choose to go for it, we have the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.

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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Should I write about religion in college app essays? Answered

I am considering writing an essay about my challenge of the notion you can't be gay and Christian through personal experiences. However, I am concerned that there may be a stigma against my application if I decide to write about said experience.

After my last trip to New Mexico, I took a new look at my life, rethought a lot of things, and I'm sure that this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't contacted psychics before the trip. Well, I found psychic readings out of interest, accidentally stumbling upon the best platforms in the article outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/5-best-psychic-reading-sites-for-accurate-readings-news-278951, without any expectations. However, it changed my life a lot.

Earn karma by helping others:

I don't think it's a bad topic but you need to make sure you don't come off as overly negative. It could be a very inspiring essay or it could be very generic. I think if you dig into specific experiences that you've had with sexuality and religion then it will turn out well. Just don't generalize it towards Christianity as a whole because a lot of Christian sects embrace it. The notion that you can't be gay and Christian is usually perpetuated by more conservative sects and people who aren't Christian and don't know what they're talking about. Just be careful to be specific to your experience and avoid being too broad and I think it will be appreciated.

I'd also consider for a minute what I think the other answer is trying to say, which is that you should make sure this is a part of your identity. If you know that your religion and experience is a major part of who you are, then colleges will want to hear about it. However, if you were raised Christian but you don't consider it a big part of your life, maybe reconsider.

catholic, sorry... but thank you!

@cp839 's answer is good, but to add to it, consider the colleges that you're applying to. All colleges are different and many will have different outlooks on religion in general; for example, sending this essay to Santa Clara University or Boston College (top Jesuit universities) would likely get a different reaction than sending it to a secular university like Cornell. That doesn't mean positive or negative—just different.

In general, if you're going to write an essay with a topic like this, you need to make sure you're leaning into the personal and not the more abstract part of this topic. An essay about how your experiences with religion and sexual orientation have shaped you as a person is great. An essay about Catholicism and sexual orientation in general is a bad essay—not because of any stigma, but because it's not enough about you. The danger with these kinds of essays is that they can very easily become an Opinions & Editorials piece about a topic rather than a personal essay about your experiences—they need to be the latter to be successful.

i'm personalizing it quite a bit... relating it to my personal experience... like how I'm super devout, and still want to be. I don't express anything close to an editorial...

Cool, then you're on the right track. I've just seen a lot of essays where students pick a topic that's really important to them and end up writing more about the topic than themselves—so it's something to watch out for.

You're overthinking it. College is meant to explore and many people cast off past affiliations and adopt new ones, including religion. Colleges want to know if you can handle the academic work, first and foremost. Secondly, a few care if you can contribute to community. Most don't care and only need/want your tuition.

am I overthinking on my topic or my worry of the topic?

I don't think you're overthinking it; it's okay to be careful and contemplative about your essays. After all, they are important. To be honest, a compelling and thoughtful essay on any topic is all the colleges ask for. If being Christian & gay means to you and comprises a lot of your personal identity, go for it!

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Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on God’s Importance In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Understanding god’s role.

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a guide who helps them choose right from wrong. When life gets tough, thinking of God can give comfort and hope.

Learning Through Stories

Religious books are full of stories about God’s love and power. These tales teach kids about bravery, kindness, and honesty. They often look to these stories for lessons on how to live well.

Prayer and Strength

Praying to God is like talking to a friend. It can make you feel strong and calm. When you’re scared or sad, praying might bring peace and a sense of not being alone.

Belonging to a Community

Believing in God can connect you with others. Many gather in places like churches or temples to worship together. This can create a feeling of family and support among the people.

250 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a guiding force in their lives. For those who believe, God is very important because He gives them hope and purpose. When they are scared or unsure, thinking of God can bring comfort and courage.

Learning Right from Wrong

God is often seen as a teacher of what is good and what is bad. Different religions have their own rules that God has given them. These rules help people decide how to act and treat others. With God’s teachings, they learn to be kind, honest, and fair.

Finding Strength in Tough Times

Life can be hard sometimes. When people face problems, they may pray to God for help. They believe God listens and gives them strength to get through tough times. This belief can make them feel less alone and more able to handle life’s challenges.

Bringing People Together

Belief in God can bring people together. In churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship, people gather to pray and celebrate their faith. This creates a sense of community and belonging, which is very important in life.

Hope for the Future

Thinking about God can give people hope for the future. They believe that God has a plan for them and that everything will work out for the best. This hope can keep them going when things are difficult and can inspire them to work towards a better future.

500 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a source of strength, guidance, and love. In this essay, we will explore why God plays a significant role in the lives of believers.

Comfort in Tough Times

Life can be hard. Sometimes, we face problems that seem too big for us to handle alone. This is where God comes in. For those who believe, God is like a friend who is always there to listen and help. When something bad happens, like losing a loved one or feeling very sad, believers find comfort in praying to God. They feel that God understands their pain and helps them through it.

Guidance for Right Choices

Every day, we make choices. Some are easy, and some are hard. Believers turn to God for help in making the right decisions. They may read holy books, like the Bible or the Quran, to learn what God teaches about living a good life. By following these teachings, they feel they can choose the path that will make them and the people around them happy.

Feeling Loved and Valued

Everyone wants to feel loved. Believers find this love in God. They think of God as a parent who loves them no matter what. This love gives them confidence. It makes them feel important and valued. When they know God loves them, they also learn to love themselves and others.

Thinking about the future can be scary. There are so many unknowns. But believers find hope in their faith in God. They trust that God has a plan for them and that everything will work out for the best. This hope helps them stay positive, even when things look uncertain.

Learning to Forgive

We all make mistakes, and sometimes we hurt others. God teaches about forgiveness. Believers try to follow this teaching by forgiving those who have wronged them. They also ask God to forgive their own mistakes. This helps them live without anger and bitterness.

Building a Community

Believing in God often brings people together. They gather to worship, celebrate, and help each other. This creates a community where people care for one another. In this community, they share their love for God and find friends who support them in their beliefs.

In conclusion, God holds an important place in the lives of those who believe. God offers comfort, guidance, love, hope, and a sense of community. These things help believers lead a fulfilling life. Whether it’s finding strength in tough times, making the right choices, feeling valued, looking forward to the future, learning to forgive, or being part of a community, God’s role is central to many people’s lives. While not everyone believes in God, for those who do, God’s importance in life is clear and deeply felt.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Goals For The Future
• Essay on Goals Are Good For You
• Essay on Goals And Aspirations

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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College essays are an entirely new type of writing for high school seniors. For that reason, many students are confused about proper formatting and essay structure. Should you double-space or single-space? Do you need a title? What kind of narrative style is best-suited for your topic?

In this post, we’ll be going over proper college essay format, traditional and unconventional essay structures (plus sample essays!), and which structure might work best for you. 

General College Essay Formatting Guidelines

How you format your essay will depend on whether you’re submitting in a text box, or attaching a document. We’ll go over the different best practices for both, but regardless of how you’re submitting, here are some general formatting tips:

• There’s no need for a title; it takes up unnecessary space and eats into your word count
• Stay within the word count as much as possible (+/- 10% of the upper limit). For further discussion on college essay length, see our post How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
• Indent or double space to separate paragraphs clearly

If you’re submitting in a text box:

• Avoid italics and bold, since formatting often doesn’t transfer over in text boxes
• Be careful with essays meant to be a certain shape (like a balloon); text boxes will likely not respect that formatting. Beyond that, this technique can also seem gimmicky, so proceed with caution
• Make sure that paragraphs are clearly separated, as text boxes can also undo indents and double spacing

If you’re attaching a document:

• Use a standard font and size like Times New Roman, 12 point
• Make your lines 1.5-spaced or double-spaced
• Use 1-inch margins
• Save as a PDF since it can’t be edited. This also prevents any formatting issues that come with Microsoft Word, since older versions are sometimes incompatible with the newer formatting
• Number each page with your last name in the header or footer (like “Smith 1”)
• Pay extra attention to any word limits, as you won’t be cut off automatically, unlike with most text boxes

Conventional College Essay Structures

Now that we’ve gone over the logistical aspects of your essay, let’s talk about how you should structure your writing. There are three traditional college essay structures. They are:

• In-the-moment narrative
• Narrative told over an extended period of time
• Series of anecdotes, or montage

Let’s go over what each one is exactly, and take a look at some real essays using these structures.

1. In-the-moment narrative

This is where you tell the story one moment at a time, sharing the events as they occur. In the moment narrative is a powerful essay format, as your reader experiences the events, your thoughts, and your emotions with you . This structure is ideal for a specific experience involving extensive internal dialogue, emotions, and reflections.

Here’s an example:

The morning of the Model United Nation conference, I walked into Committee feeling confident about my research. We were simulating the Nuremberg Trials – a series of post-World War II proceedings for war crimes – and my portfolio was of the Soviet Judge Major General Iona Nikitchenko. Until that day, the infamous Nazi regime had only been a chapter in my history textbook; however, the conference’s unveiling of each defendant’s crimes brought those horrors to life. The previous night, I had organized my research, proofread my position paper and gone over Judge Nikitchenko’s pertinent statements. I aimed to find the perfect balance between his stance and my own.

As I walked into committee anticipating a battle of wits, my director abruptly called out to me. “I’m afraid we’ve received a late confirmation from another delegate who will be representing Judge Nikitchenko. You, on the other hand, are now the defense attorney, Otto Stahmer.” Everyone around me buzzed around the room in excitement, coordinating with their allies and developing strategies against their enemies, oblivious to the bomb that had just dropped on me. I felt frozen in my tracks, and it seemed that only rage against the careless delegate who had confirmed her presence so late could pull me out of my trance. After having spent a month painstakingly crafting my verdicts and gathering evidence against the Nazis, I now needed to reverse my stance only three hours before the first session.

Gradually, anger gave way to utter panic. My research was fundamental to my performance, and without it, I knew I could add little to the Trials. But confident in my ability, my director optimistically recommended constructing an impromptu defense. Nervously, I began my research anew. Despite feeling hopeless, as I read through the prosecution’s arguments, I uncovered substantial loopholes. I noticed a lack of conclusive evidence against the defendants and certain inconsistencies in testimonies. My discovery energized me, inspiring me to revisit the historical overview in my conference “Background Guide” and to search the web for other relevant articles. Some Nazi prisoners had been treated as “guilty” before their court dates. While I had brushed this information under the carpet while developing my position as a judge, it now became the focus of my defense. I began scratching out a new argument, centered on the premise that the allied countries had violated the fundamental rule that, a defendant was “not guilty” until proven otherwise.

At the end of the three hours, I felt better prepared. The first session began, and with bravado, I raised my placard to speak. Microphone in hand, I turned to face my audience. “Greetings delegates. I, Otto Stahmer would like to…….” I suddenly blanked. Utter dread permeated my body as I tried to recall my thoughts in vain. “Defence Attorney, Stahmer we’ll come back to you,” my Committee Director broke the silence as I tottered back to my seat, flushed with embarrassment. Despite my shame, I was undeterred. I needed to vindicate my director’s faith in me. I pulled out my notes, refocused, and began outlining my arguments in a more clear and direct manner. Thereafter, I spoke articulately, confidently putting forth my points. I was overjoyed when Secretariat members congratulated me on my fine performance.

Going into the conference, I believed that preparation was the key to success. I wouldn’t say I disagree with that statement now, but I believe adaptability is equally important. My ability to problem-solve in the face of an unforeseen challenge proved advantageous in the art of diplomacy. Not only did this experience transform me into a confident and eloquent delegate at that conference, but it also helped me become a more flexible and creative thinker in a variety of other capacities. Now that I know I can adapt under pressure, I look forward to engaging in activities that will push me to be even quicker on my feet.

This essay is an excellent example of in-the-moment narration. The student openly shares their internal state with us — we feel their anger and panic upon the reversal of roles. We empathize with their emotions of “utter dread” and embarrassment when they’re unable to speak. 

For in-the-moment essays, overloading on descriptions is a common mistake students make. This writer provides just the right amount of background and details to help us understand the situation, however, and balances out the actual event with reflection on the significance of this experience. 

One main area of improvement is that the writer sometimes makes explicit statements that could be better illustrated through their thoughts, actions, and feelings. For instance, they say they “spoke articulately” after recovering from their initial inability to speak, and they also claim that adaptability has helped them in other situations. This is not as engaging as actual examples that convey the same meaning. Still, this essay overall is a strong example of in-the-moment narration, and gives us a relatable look into the writer’s life and personality.

2. Narrative told over an extended period of time

In this essay structure, you share a story that takes place across several different experiences. This narrative style is well-suited for any story arc with multiple parts. If you want to highlight your development over time, you might consider this structure. 

When I was younger, I was adamant that no two foods on my plate touch. As a result, I often used a second plate to prevent such an atrocity. In many ways, I learned to separate different things this way from my older brothers, Nate and Rob. Growing up, I idolized both of them. Nate was a performer, and I insisted on arriving early to his shows to secure front row seats, refusing to budge during intermission for fear of missing anything. Rob was a three-sport athlete, and I attended his games religiously, waving worn-out foam cougar paws and cheering until my voice was hoarse. My brothers were my role models. However, while each was talented, neither was interested in the other’s passion. To me, they represented two contrasting ideals of what I could become: artist or athlete. I believed I had to choose.

And for a long time, I chose athlete. I played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse and viewed myself exclusively as an athlete, believing the arts were not for me. I conveniently overlooked that since the age of five, I had been composing stories for my family for Christmas, gifts that were as much for me as them, as I loved writing. So when in tenth grade, I had the option of taking a creative writing class, I was faced with a question: could I be an athlete and a writer? After much debate, I enrolled in the class, feeling both apprehensive and excited. When I arrived on the first day of school, my teacher, Ms. Jenkins, asked us to write down our expectations for the class. After a few minutes, eraser shavings stubbornly sunbathing on my now-smudged paper, I finally wrote, “I do not expect to become a published writer from this class. I just want this to be a place where I can write freely.”

Although the purpose of the class never changed for me, on the third “submission day,” – our time to submit writing to upcoming contests and literary magazines – I faced a predicament. For the first two submission days, I had passed the time editing earlier pieces, eventually (pretty quickly) resorting to screen snake when hopelessness made the words look like hieroglyphics. I must not have been as subtle as I thought, as on the third of these days, Ms. Jenkins approached me. After shifting from excuse to excuse as to why I did not submit my writing, I finally recognized the real reason I had withheld my work: I was scared. I did not want to be different, and I did not want to challenge not only others’ perceptions of me, but also my own. I yielded to Ms. Jenkin’s pleas and sent one of my pieces to an upcoming contest.

By the time the letter came, I had already forgotten about the contest. When the flimsy white envelope arrived in the mail, I was shocked and ecstatic to learn that I had received 2nd place in a nationwide writing competition. The next morning, however, I discovered Ms. Jenkins would make an announcement to the whole school exposing me as a poet. I decided to own this identity and embrace my friends’ jokes and playful digs, and over time, they have learned to accept and respect this part of me. I have since seen more boys at my school identifying themselves as writers or artists.

I no longer see myself as an athlete and a poet independently, but rather I see these two aspects forming a single inseparable identity – me. Despite their apparent differences, these two disciplines are quite similar, as each requires creativity and devotion. I am still a poet when I am lacing up my cleats for soccer practice and still an athlete when I am building metaphors in the back of my mind – and I have realized ice cream and gummy bears taste pretty good together.

The timeline of this essay spans from the writer’s childhood all the way to sophomore year, but we only see key moments along this journey. First, we get context for why the writer thought he had to choose one identity: his older brothers had very distinct interests. Then, we learn about the student’s 10th grade creative writing class, writing contest, and results of the contest. Finally, the essay covers the writers’ embarrassment of his identity as a poet, to gradual acceptance and pride in that identity. 

This essay is a great example of a narrative told over an extended period of time. It’s highly personal and reflective, as the piece shares the writer’s conflicting feelings, and takes care to get to the root of those feelings. Furthermore, the overarching story is that of a personal transformation and development, so it’s well-suited to this essay structure.

3. Series of anecdotes, or montage

This essay structure allows you to focus on the most important experiences of a single storyline, or it lets you feature multiple (not necessarily related) stories that highlight your personality. Montage is a structure where you piece together separate scenes to form a whole story. This technique is most commonly associated with film. Just envision your favorite movie—it likely is a montage of various scenes that may not even be chronological. 

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée , while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “ Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

This essay takes a few different anecdotes and weaves them into a coherent narrative about the writer’s penchant for novel experiences. We’re plunged into her universe, in the middle of her Taekwondo spar, three years before the present day. She then transitions into a scene in a ballet studio, present day. By switching from past tense to present tense, the writer clearly demarcates this shift in time. 

The parallel use of the spoken phrase “Point” in the essay ties these two experiences together. The writer also employs a flashback to Master Pollard’s remark about “grabbing a tutu” and her habit of dorsiflexing her toes, which further cements the connection between these anecdotes. 

While some of the descriptions are a little wordy, the piece is well-executed overall, and is a stellar example of the montage structure. The two anecdotes are seamlessly intertwined, and they both clearly illustrate the student’s determination, dedication, reflectiveness, and adaptability. The writer also concludes the essay with a larger reflection on her life, many moves, and multiple languages. 

Unconventional College Essay Structures

Unconventional essay structures are any that don’t fit into the categories above. These tend to be higher risk, as it’s easier to turn off the admissions officer, but they’re also higher reward if executed correctly. 

There are endless possibilities for unconventional structures, but most fall under one of two categories:

1. Playing with essay format

Instead of choosing a traditional narrative format, you might take a more creative route to showcase your interests, writing your essay:

• As a movie script
• With a creative visual format (such as creating a visual pattern with the spaces between your sentences forming a picture)
• As a two-sided Lincoln-Douglas debate
• As a legal brief
• Using song lyrics

2. Linguistic techniques

You could also play with the actual language and sentence structure of your essay, writing it:

• In iambic pentameter
• Partially in your mother tongue
• In code or a programming language

These linguistic techniques are often hybrid, where you write some of the essay with the linguistic variation, then write more of an explanation in English.

Under no circumstances should you feel pressured to use an unconventional structure. Trying to force something unconventional will only hurt your chances. That being said, if a creative structure comes naturally to you, suits your personality, and works with the content of your essay — go for that structure!

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How to Start a College Essay: 5 Effective Techniques

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Impressionable Openers

Descriptions and demonstrations, show vulnerability, be authentic, stay personal, fun & quirky, common mistakes to avoid in your college essay.

• Ways to Overcome Writer's Block

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting a College Essay

College essays are a huge part of your college career. If not huge, one of the biggest, and for someone who has been there and done that, I know the amount of pressure the beginning of a college essay, as well as the entire essay, can put on your shoulders.

Not only are you trying to juggle things like word count and grammar errors, but you're also trying to create the perfect college essay introduction that will attract admissions officers to your application or professors to your writing skills. And that, itself, can feel impossible, fill you with dread and self-doubt, but just breathe. I am here to help all present and future students know how to start a college essay.

Today is all about starting a college essay. I have come up with five easy and effective techniques that will help you create essays so good you're going to leave your readers wanting more , starting with your opening sentence! So, this is for all college students and college applicants. Stress no more! This guide was created to help you write a successful college essay. Let's get into it.

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The beginning of your essay should, first and foremost, always have a strong opening sentence . This sentence sets the tone for not only your readers but for the entire essay. Having a wobbly, almost interesting opener can steer an admissions officer and/or professor away, so you want it to be strong. And it doesn't have to be complicated! Less is more in this situation. Here are a couple of ways you can accomplish this.

• Look within and be relatable
• Use your real life for inspiration
• Think about ways to evoke emotion

Here are some examples of impressionable openers:

• Example 1: When I was 11 years old, my mother told me she had cancer over breakfast.
• Example 2: Maybe yellow isn't my favorite color.
• Example 3: I sat next to this girl in class who made me feel stupid.

DISCLAIMER : your opener should ALWAYS adhere to the essay prompts. These are just a few examples that can capture your reader's attention almost immediately.

In order to keep readers interested, visuals are key . Image-based descriptions will not only add value to your writing, it will give your readers front seats to your essay's journey. These descriptions let actions speak for themselves.

Here is an example of a description and demonstration in an essay:

• Example 1: "I was sitting on a bar stool when the word 'cancer' hit me like the smell of her coffee brewing on the stove. The Rice Krispies were popping in my cereal bowl, and MTV Jams was playing in the background, yet all I could hear was the sound of doom all around me. The lips of my mother were moving, but I was frozen, crumbling on this stool like my mother's health. She was sick, and I didn't know how sick or what that even meant, and that terrified me."

Why This Works:

Here you can clearly feel the writers emotional state: shocked, still, scared. Not only is this moment at breakfast traumatic, you feel frozen in time with the writer. Using descriptions like this will evoke so much emotion and leave your reader wanting more.

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Something one of my teachers told me in high school was any good essay will have personal elements in it, no matter the topic. That always stuck with me and became the way I approached my college essays. Showing vulnerability in your writing will always guarantee interest. It also evokes emotion.

You can show vulnerability by:

• Being honest
• Explaining what's going on inside underneath the exterior
• Describe what's going on around you at the moment
• Letting go of the fear of being seen
• Connecting with the topic
• Being transparent about mistakes/flaws

Examples of showing vulnerability:

• Example 1 : My mother telling me she had cancer over breakfast was not on my bingo card this year.
• Example 2 : I never thought losing someone I love would change me.
• Example 3: I had to lose everything in order to gain everything.

I know being vulnerable can be tough for some , but showing this side of you to college admissions officers and/or professors will not only make you stand out, but it can also help free you of things that might be weighing on your mind. Not to sound corny, but it can be therapeutic and make you a better writer . Just make sure you are staying on track with the essay prompt, and you're set!

Whether it's believed or not, an admissions officer wants to see pieces of you in your personal statement, so starting your essay by showing authenticity is a major major key. Along with being vulnerable, there are a few ways you can achieve this.

• Reflect : Take the time to reflect on your experiences, values, and beliefs that have shaped who you are today. Let your values, passions, and interests shine through in your writing.
• Mind Your Voice : Write in your own voice and avoid trying to sound like someone you're not. Authenticity comes from being genuine and true to yourself.
• Tell Your Story : Share personal anecdotes and insights that show your unique perspective.
• Be True to You : Focus on what matters to YOU (as long as you're on topic!). Write about what is meaningful and important to you rather than what you think admissions officers want to hear.

Above all, be open . Showing introspection and self-awareness in your essay will show any admissions committee who you are beneath the surface, as well as your personal growth.

You can also begin your essay being as random and silly as you'd like . It goes hand-in-hand with other important factors like vulnerability and authenticity. But don't get too crazy . Beginning your essay with something strange will definitely draw readers in. Let me show you what I mean.

• Example 1 : I start my mornings off in silence and solitude to keep people away from me.
• Example 2 : Sometimes, I like to circle big words in complex articles to learn new words. Yeah, but to also keep one in my back pocket for later use.
• Example 3 : Being the youngest child means getting away with everything you want, and that's exactly how I like it.

Do you see how each sentence draws you in? Not only are they light-hearted, but they also make you want to know why you want to keep people away in the morning and what kind of weapon you're forming against others with new words. And every youngest sibling will attest to feeling that exact same way. All of these examples are sure to make your essay fun, show who you are, and leave readers wanting more.

Years of writing college essays have taken me through every high and low of the process possible. And when they're good, they're great! But for some reason, my mistakes stick out more than anything. So, I've compiled a list of common mistakes to avoid when writing your college essay .

• Avoid Being Cliche - While you want to be captivating, you want to avoid overly used syntax and phrases that could potentially lose your reader's curiosity. For example, "in today's day and age," "follow my heart," "don't judge a book by its cover," etc. are all cliches that can be avoided by thinking outside of the box.
• Using Vocabulary to be Impressive - I know you want to impress the admissions committees, but it's important to stick to what you know and not what you can allude to. That is, use verbiage that resonates with your personality. Using extravagant words can work against you, and they can also sound forced. College admissions officers want to see the real you, so show it to them.
• Steer Clear of Controversy - Though it's not said enough, your college essay should tell your personal story and not touch on things that can stir the pot. For instance, talking about politics and religious beliefs may not be the route you want to take UNLESS it's called for in the college essay topic. And if so, stay on track with the essay prompts.
• Procrastinating : Waiting until the last minute to start writing your essay will bite you in the butt. You will feel rushed and end up writing a poorly crafted piece. Give yourself enough time to complete an essay draft, edit the draft, and repeat this two-step cycle until your essay is complete.
• Lack of originality : This goes hand-in-hand with avoiding cliches. Your college essay should exude a lot of your personality, so show admissions officers and teachers who you are! Include your cultural background, test scores that you're proud of, any future aspirations, etc. This all depends on the essay prompts, of course, but in my experience, every essay topic has room to show who you are.
• Ignoring the prompt : This is a major key. STAY ON TRACK. Make sure to carefully read and understand the essay prompt, and write your essay accordingly. The last thing you want to do is write a college essay that has nothing to do with the prompt. Reading is essential here.
• Lack of focus : If you want to know how to start a college essay, that means knowing how to stay focused. Find a quiet space, turn off electronics, hide your phone, and really nestle into how you want to capture your reader's attention. This will help you use your five senses clearly, keep your writing strong and not write an overly wordy essay. Focus is the tool here.
• Poor organization : Make sure your essay has a strong structure with clear transitions between paragraphs. An outline will work best to accomplish this. If you go into starting your college essay without a plan, be prepared to hit all roadblocks.
• Neglecting to Revise and Edit : Like procrastinating, don't fail to revise and edit your work. Always, always, always proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors , as well as clarity and coherence.
• Not Seeking Feedback : Listen, I know that completing an essay is an accomplishment in itself, and you immediately want to submit it, but it's so beneficial to have others read your essay for feedback. You can only spot so many holes in your work when your eyes are constantly reviewing it, so a second, third, or even fourth set of eyes can help point out areas for improvement.

Above all, trust the writing process. Though I do want you to be aware of your jargon, don't get too wrapped up in thinking you're making a mistake. That's what editing is for! Once you complete your college essay, you should always revise and edit accordingly . What you thought sounded good might make you edit it to sound great. Just keep in mind that many colleges are looking for honesty and authenticity vs how well you can sound on paper . So, if you're aware of these factors, you'll be good to go.

Ways to Overcome Writer's Block

Take it from someone who has suffered from chronic writer's block, it's a pain to get through . Imagine being on a writing streak so good that when you stop, the entire essay writing process stops as a whole. It's definitely a challenge, but after 10 years of writing essays and really honing my craft, I learned a few things that have helped me get through even the thickest of writer's blocks, and I want to share them with you. Check them out:

• Take a break : This works every single time. Take a short break and step away from your computer to clear your mind and come back with a fresh perspective. For me, 15 minutes is all I ever need. If you need more time, that's okay. Just try not to make your break a rest.
• Freewriting : Sometimes, I'd start writing without worrying about my structure or grammar to get the ideas flowing, and surprisingly enough, I found my essay taking a pleasant turn.
• Change your environment : Move around. Don't underestimate the effects of a different location or workspace to stimulate creativity. Try coffee shops, bookstores, a park, or a new room in your house. New environment, new energy.
• Set small goals : This one is actually the most important. Some people get overwhelmed with the word "essay" for things like lack of proper writing skills, pressure to write a great essay, etc. But if you try breaking down your writing task into smaller, manageable chunks to make it less overwhelming, it can help. For example, set a goal of three paragraphs one day, take a day to edit those paragraphs, two more the next day, and so forth. Find a formula that works for you.
• Brainstorming : Write down all your ideas--everything. No matter how small you think the idea is, write it down. Even if these ideas seem unrelated, they will help you generate new thoughts and connections.
• Read or listen to music : It took me a while to realize this helps, but engaging in other forms of art can inspire new ideas and break through mental blocks. And new creativity can lead you to impress admissions officers.
• Talk it out : As a writer, it's hard to let people in on the creative process, but discussing my ideas with a friend, family member, or colleague helped me gain new perspectives and insights.
• Relax and Meditate : Hear me out: it works! Practice deep breathing and/or meditation to reduce stress and anxiety that may be contributing to writer's block.

I won't sugarcoat it: the college application process can be intimidating , but it doesn't have to throw you off your game. When it comes to college essays, I see them as opportunities to be fun and expressive. Trust me when I say if you have fun with it, you'll attract the reader's attention , paint vivid details, and write an essay that will leave the admissions officer wanting you at their school. So, take it one step at a time and watch your personal statement come to life.

How can I make my college essay stand out to admissions officers?

Simply put, be yourself. As long as you stay on track with the essay's topic, showing pieces of yourself will allow admissions officers to know more about who you are. Essays are meant to show readers who you are, how you feel, and what you think naturally, not robotically, so be authentic in your writing, and you'll be sure to stand out amongst the rest.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a college essay?

Some common mistakes to avoid in your essay are using cliches and boring wording. You also want to avoid procrastinating, wasting time, not focusing, not editing, etc. When writing your essay, you want to make sure you give your writing the time and attention it deserves, so make sure you're aware of what is pulling you away from your writing. This will help you stay focused. If you have any other doubts, refer to the section about mistakes in this article and let it guide you to success.

How important is the college essay in the admissions process?

Your college essay is key in the admissions process . It's an admissions committee's first impression of you as a writer and potential student, so it should be taken very seriously. Trying to cut corners or rush through the writing process will be obvious, and it will stand out more than things like test scores, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any other positive influence you've had in your life. So, don't take the easy way out and really work on your essay.

Feeling confident in your college essay skills and want to explore some other essay content? Explore our blog on the comma splice to enhance your technical writing skills!

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