what do college admissions officers look for in an essay

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What Admissions Officers Look for in Your College Essay?

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Anna Smist, a Yale Admissions Officer, i n a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Writing about specific moments.

• Appealing to Admissions Officers

When it comes time to submit these essays, you will either be applying through QuestBridge , the coalition application , or the common application . Essays are one of the most important portions of a student’s college application. They present an irreplaceable opportunity to paint a picture for the admissions officers of who you are. College essays do pose their unique set of challenges, but there are tricks to help students with this process. 

To get started, think about the purpose behind these essays. A student has about 500 words or less to convey their story to admissions officers. When you’re writing, your topic doesn’t have to be about anything specific; it can be more general. Some of the best essays students have submitted were not about detailed descriptions of their interests but an experience.

You can start with a general topic, such as your interests or extracurricular activities, and then dive deeper into a specific experience you had in one of those topics. An example could be writing about a relationship that you have with someone, but, instead of talking about the relationship, you can reflect on a conversation you had with them. This will bring a personal aspect to the essay and make the reader feel more connected to you as the writer. Similar things can be done with places. If you want to write about a place that has meaning to you, you can dive into a particular event that happened at that location and why it has meaning to you. Your essays are all about bringing the reader into your life, and the best way to accomplish that is by writing about specific events.

Appealing To Admissions Officers

Making your story unique.

Students shouldn’t write about anything too general, and there are no cookie-cutter expectations for students’ essay topics. When you approach your essays, try to write about something only you can talk about. There are thousands of students writing about the same topic as you are, so you have to find a way to differentiate yourself from the others. This is what admissions officers are looking for in your essays. They want to read about a unique story or memory that no other student could have written about except for you. 

Let Your Voice Shine Through

Ultimately, when it comes from your voice or your view, it’s going to sound unique and different. Think about books and movies. Many are over the same topic, but the way the story is told matters a lot. When you read a novel from the first-person perspective, you get inside that person’s head for a moment and get to see how they think. Reading essays is something admissions officers really like because they get to know the student. When you are writing your essay, make sure your voice comes through . Admissions officers want to know what kind of student you are and how you will fit into their campus community. The best way for them to understand this is through your essays. 

Students often share topics or stories that the admissions officers might not be familiar with. For example, when writing about your diverse experience in terms of sexuality, gender, or race, the admissions officer reading it might not be familiar with your exact experience. No matter your topic, make sure you provide some context to your essays so that no matter who the admissions officer is, your story will come across.

If you’re looking for some examples of college essays to help get you started, check out this post: 19 Stellar Common App Essay Examples .

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College essay resources

The #1 college essay myth (and what college admissions officers really look for), what to write about.

Brad Schiller

College essays are not the place to "just tell your story."

It's not that “tell us your story” is wrong for college essays. It’s just severely misleading. 

Yes, college admission offices give this advice all the time. But if you look at how they actually evaluate essays, you’ll see that what they look for goes well beyond “your story.”

This article will walk you through: 

• why colleges (and sometimes even guidance counselors!) give this misleading advice; 
• what admissions officers actually look for; and 
• how to deliver it for them. 

As college essay coaches who’ve helped thousands of applicants get into great colleges each year, we’ve examined the question of why the “tell your story” advice is so ubiquitous, and you need to know what’s really going on. 

Read the Table of Contents to see what we'll cover in this article:

Colleges say they want applicants to tell their story

Let’s go on a journey of discovery through the internet. What advice do colleges give about writing the essays they require?

We found one striking pattern (emphasis added): 

• [The essay] is an important part of your application because it gives you the chance to tell us your story as an applicant. — BU
• Tell a good story. Most people prefer reading a good story over anything else. So... tell a great story in your essay. — Tulane Apps 101: Ten Tips for an Epic College Essay .
• Your transcript and standardized test scores tell your academic story, your extracurricular activities, recommendations, essay(s) and background, tell your personal story . — William & Mary
• In [successful] essays, students were able to share stories from their everyday lives to reveal something about their character, values, and life that aligned with the culture and values at Hopkins. — Johns Hopkins  
• Tell your story. Some of my most memorable offers of admission have gone to students who like to color outside the lines. — Canisius College
• The college application process is a wonderful opportunity for self-discovery. You will find out things about yourself, what motivates you and what excites you. This is a passage to an exciting new chapter in your life. We want to get to know you and your story. — Muhlenberg College

Here are some videos that popped up as we researched this question:

And here’s an article from the Washington Post that ranked high in our search:

True, not every admissions department used the word “story.” 

We also found (emphasis added) —

• The point of the personal statement is for you to have the chance to share whatever you would like with us . — Harvard
• Be honest, be open, be authentic—this is your opportunity to connect with us . — MIT
• These essays are an opportunity to tell us about yourself in your unique voice . — CalTech
• Essay writing is an excellent opportunity for personal expression and original thought. — Northwestern
• The authenticity of the writing is what makes it effective. — Johns Hopkins - WaPo article
• “Imagine UC was a person. If we met face-to-face, what would you want us to know about you? These personal insight questions allow you to tell us. — University of California — see also their video on the topic:

In this category of advice, while the admissions offices don’t use the term “tell your story,” they’re still suggesting that you simply share something interesting about who you are, and connect with them in the way that you would with a friend.

However, when you look at how colleges actually evaluate essays, it turns out that this advice is wrong at worst and incomplete at best . So let’s do that now.

What college admissions officers really look for

Let’s hop back into the internet for another journey of discovery. This time, let’s search for clues about what college admissions officers do when they’re in the process of actually reading your essays.

As some readers know, at Prompt, we’re pretty excited about a lawsuit that made much of Harvard’s admission process public. 

The lawsuit revealed that “share whatever you would like with us,” as the college claims (see above) isn’t necessarily helpful advice. 

Instead, admissions officers review “ humor, sensitivity, grit, leadership, integrity, helpfulness, courage, kindness and many other qualities” in determining a personal rating for each applicant, according to coverage (emphasis added). 

Yes, this means that Harvard admissions officers give applicants cold, hard numbers based on whether their essays reveal things like grit and courage. So what if, based on their advice, you simply shared an interesting story about your passion for the theater or for playing sports? So that they could get to know you?

You’d be out of luck. Because without specifically focusing on an interesting, authentic story that also reveals something about your character, you’re unlikely to write an essay that they rate highly.

There are also clues that other colleges are looking for more than just a nice story or the “true you.” 

Here are some approaches we found to the process of assessing admission essays:

• Emory University specifically takes into account “ intellectual curiosity and the potential to contribute to community life on campus.” 
• According to the dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, “We expect [applicants] to have high test scores and grades. That’s a given. So another way for us to think about merit for those applicants is, what did they do with that opportunity they were given? How far did they travel in their high school journey?”  ‍
• “It's quick and easy for candidates to share, and for admissions readers to assess a candidate's 'what,’” says the dean of admissions at Lafayette College, “However, the hope is to find the 'how' and the 'why' behind an applicant's 'what'. If a candidate is a chemistry loving, slam poet who pole vaults, cool, that's 'what' they are. But, 'HOW' and 'WHY' have they become a chemistry-loving, slam poet who pole vaults? Too many candidates stop at the 'what' and do not give the 'how' and the 'why.'”
• "As an admissions officer, I analyzed students' personalities ,” says the former admissions head at Dartmouth. “If … the student came off as arrogant, entitled, mean, selfish, or, on the flip side, funny, charming, generous, witty , I wrote that exact trait in my notes. It's not enough just to be smart at top schools. Students must also show that they'll be good classmates and community builders ."
• “We want to enroll students who will contribute to the life of the campus , so we are eager to see how you have contributed to your high-school community or the community in which you live,” says an officer at Dickinson College.
• “Applicants who are able to convey that they have spent their high school years exploring different classes, activities and opportunities immediately grab my attention,” says an officer at Drake. ‍
• According to an officer at DePauw University, “a successful applicant should highlight an ability to overcome obstacles and garner results . It’s about proving you can produce outcomes .” 
• During the pandemic, 315 admission leaders (including all the heavy-hitters, such as the Ivys), signed a “ Care Counts in Crisis ” statement, assuring applicants that they most value 5 attributes: self-care ; academic work; service and contributions to others; family contributions ; and extracurricular and summer activities.

Some supplemental essays also show what colleges value. For example, these are all about intellectual curiosity:

• Stanford — The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
• University of Washington — [T]ell us about something that really sparks your intellectual interest and curiosity , and compels you to explore more in the program/area of study that you indicated.

Once you start looking more closely at how colleges actually make their decision, you see that colleges really care about a number of specific characteristics .

5 traits admissions officers look for in your college essay

The point of a college essay is to prove you’ll be successful on campus and beyond. As Emory admissions dean John Latting says, “The whole [admissions] process is about finding potential .”

The way you prove your potential is by showing that you have 5 special characteristics. They go by various names, but at Prompt we’ve boiled them down to:

• Drive — going above and beyond what’s expected
• Intellectual Curiosity — manifesting your love of learning
• Initiative — Changing the status quo
• Contribution — Giving back to the community
• Diversity of Experiences — Having a unique background or experiences that give you a new perspective.

Go back to the last section and see how often these words (or similar ones) come up — you’ll see that it’s extremely often. 

To take a specific example, here how these characteristics align with the categories unearthed from the Harvard admissions litigation:

• Grit — that’s Drive
• Leadership — that’s a combo of Drive, Initiative and Contribution
• Helpfulness — that’s Contribution
• Courage — that’s adjacent to Drive and Initiative
• Kindness — well, that’s Contribution again

Now if you’re carefully comparing this list to the quote above, you’ll notice that we’re missing:

• sensitivity, and 
• Integrity. 

That’s because it’s true that they don’t match up to our 5 Traits. Humor is wonderful if you’ve got it, but “your college essay might not be the best place to try on that funny writer voice for the first time,” to quote the dean of admissions at Lawrence. (Diversity of experiences is similar, in a way, in that it’s a wonderful-to-have, but not something you can force if you just don’t have it.)

Integrity is a must-have — but most good essays around the 5 Traits should demonstrate integrity. Needless to say, any essay that implies a lack of it is a bad essay. As to sensitivity, well, if you’ve got it great. Not sure that one’s really make-or-break.

The point is that your essays aren’t a friendly “get to know you” space. They’re a vital component of your application; the colleges are grading your essays. And to score high you need to write about an experience in which you showed one or more of the qualities that they’re looking for — one or more of the 5 Traits. (If the experience also happens to showcase integrity and a sense of humor, all the better!)

Why colleges don't share what they're really looking for

At Prompt, we study the pronouncements of college admissions officials obsessively . We’ve gotten to know them , we read books about them, we follow them on Twitter. 

We don’t think that college officials are “lying” when they present this advice. Rather, there are many reasons why their advice isn’t as helpful as they probably think it is. Here are a few:

First , as we noted above, the advice to “tell your story” or “get to know us” or “be authentic” isn’t wrong. It’s just misleading because it isn’t clear about what actually gets evaluated. Most admissions officers probably think they’re giving helpful advice.

Second , offices are intentionally vague because it gives them more room to maneuver. If they say they’re looking for X in essays, everyone will write X . They want wiggle room for kids who write Y. 

Third , they may be thinking in different modes when they think about “writing an essay” compared to when they settle down to “evaluate” an essay. In Originals , Adam Grant describes how different these two modes can be. His book describes an experiment that randomly assigned some participants to think like managers and others like creatives. Those in the “manager” mode evaluated novel products correctly only 51% of the time; those in “creative” mode were correct far more often, at 77% of the time.

This is kind of the opposite. Admissions officers likely think broadly when giving advice for writing essays — they might be thinking about how they’d like to read essays, or how great essays are original, or focus on small, everyday topics. But that likely goes out the window when it comes to getting through a stack of essays on their desk and using them to assign “personal scores” that can be used to advance or reject applications. 

Bear in mind how overworked admissions readers are. According to an evaluator at Brown, “[W]e keep up a rigorous reading pace with the regular decision applicant pool. We were expected to read five applications per hour, which equates to 12 minutes per application. In those 12 minutes, I reviewed the application, standardized test scores, the transcript, the personal statement, and multiple supplemental essays — all while taking notes and making a decision on the admissibility of the applicant."

Make sure you write your essay to appeal to that “boring, bureaucratic” admissions officer. The one getting through a pile of essays, on a hungry prowl for qualities that will show success. We’ve got some stats to prove it can make up to a 10x difference in your chances of admission. 

Our team of expert writing coaches have helped 50,000+ student write 90,000+ essays that have boosted their chances of admission. Create an account to use free college essay resources , or explore college essay coaching options today .

Related posts:

• The Purpose of College Essays
• The Qualities Admissions Officers Look For
• Great Academics Aren't Enough
• What Harvard Admissions Data Reveals

The above articles and a step-by-step guide to approaching the college essay writing process can be found in our Help Center .

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From Dr. Douglas Christiansen, Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at Vanderbilt University:

The essay is the one opportunity each student has to give a college or university insight into his or her innermost thoughts, aspirations, dreams, and personal realities. It is to the student’s advantage to use this opportunity to let admissions officers see beyond the test scores and grades. Students can explain why there may have been a lapse in grades or other important life events that have changed their high-school careers. More important than the experience is what the student reveals about how the experience has changed his/her life, how (s)he has grown and made different choices as a result of the experience, and how (s)he has improved his or her corner of the world as a result. Through the essay, regardless of the topic, it is possible to enlighten the reader regarding choices that have led to personal growth, involvement, and success or failure as a result. Through the essay, the admissions officers should be able to see more clearly the intangible characteristics of the applicant: honesty, integrity, commitment, ethical choices, perseverance, empathy, and leadership. When the number of applications is in the thousands, and the admit rate is only 10 – 15% of those applications, explaining why one student is different than all the rest is key – the essay is the opportunity to do just that!

From Stacey Kostell, Assistant Provost and Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Illinois:

When writing your application essays, it is vital that you answer the question asked and address any specific criteria noted. I’ve read thousands of essays and have realized that there are the five factors shared by all successful applicants.

Be prepared. Slow down and fully consider the questions and your answers. You should then create an outline, write a first draft, and edit multiple times.

Be personal. Provide specific examples of your experiences and goals. Generalizations do not help the admissions committee get a sense of who you are and why you’ll make the most of your time at the university.

Be direct. Choose your words wisely in order to clearly state your message. Many universities have a word limit on responses, whichmeans there is no room for fluff.

Be focused. There is no need to repeat your transcript. Instead, share how your qualifications will be a benefit to you at the university.

Be professional. Submit the best possible essays, free of spelling and grammatical errors. You should proofread and edit them yourself; however, request critiques from counselors, teachers, and your parents. It’s always helpful to have feedback from readers.

From Courtney McAnuff, Vice President of Enrollment at Rutgers University:

This is the one time it really is all about you; colleges want to know what makes you unique. The essay is a critical component for our holistic review. Express yourself honestly. Review the essay question, and jot down your immediate responses. Don’t Google the question to see what others have written for their essays. If you can’t resist, at least write your outline first, and stay true to yourself in the final version. The requested essay topics reflect each college’s interests in shaping their incoming class. Writing on the requested essay topic should interest you. Be sure you answer the specific topic; don’t just tweak a generic essay. If the topic doesn’t engage you, think about why that college is one of your choices. Do submit the essay exactly how the school requested it. The care you take in following directions can be seen by the school as an indicator of what type of student you are now. Try to do everything at least two weeks before the deadline to cover every computer crash/power outage/school closing possibility.

From James Nondorf, Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Chicago:

For many colleges and universities, the essays are a crucial element of the application process. They provide you with a chance to let admissions officers get to know you beyond just your transcripts and test scores. The most important part of any college admissions essay, then, is to write something you believe truly represents your unique voice—something that, beyond demonstrating your competencies as a writer, also displays your ability to be a creative and critical thinker and to make unique contributions to an academic community. First and foremost, it’s important to respond directly to the prompt given (admissions officers can tell when you’re fudging and trying to write your way into a different essay topic), but beyond that, creativity is key. Don’t settle for the first idea that comes to mind or the first draft you put to paper. Keep revising until you feel you have an essay that reflects your original perspective. And, really, you should try to have fun with your essays—exercise your sense of humor, write about something you’re passionate about, and write in a way you find inspiring. The more you enjoy writing your essay, the more we’ll enjoy reading it.

From Kasey Urquidez, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at The University of Arizona:

Your statement gives you the opportunity to show the college or university to which you are applying a chance to learn more about you. While your academic preparation is very important, your statement will help you shine.

Taking time to write your best statement before submitting is important. Here are a few tips as you write your statement:

• Be yourself.
• Focus on one topic and making an impression. What will be remembered?
• Use appropriate, yet colorful, vivid language to express yourself.
• Be descriptive.
• Share new information. Reiterating what you already included in your application is not very helpful.
• Provide a strong opening and closing. You will want your reader to want to know more from your opening and remember you from your closing.
• Know your audience. Admissions representatives from diverse backgrounds of all ages will read your statement.
• Read the instructions carefully and pay attention to word limits.
• Write a rough draft.
• Do not rely on spell check.
• Read your statement aloud to help you “hear” what it will sound like to others.
• Select a few people you trust to proof read your work.
• Submit once you're completely satisfied!

From Jarrid James Whitney, Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at California Institute of Technology:

When applying to colleges, I often remind students that their responses to the essay prompts are, in essence, like a personal interview with the admissions committee. That is, they should open up about what’s important to them and cover topics that are meaningful, and specifically address important items that may not come up in the rest of the application or even stress other parts of the application.

The essays are really a reflection of who an applicant is, and thus the student’s voice is critical. Often times students get others to help them craft their responses, which is fine, but I also remind students not to lose the essence of who they are. The story still has to be their own.

It is also very important that the student make sure they tie the essay back to themselves. Students tend to get caught up in a great story about another person, place, or thing, and forget they need to bring it back to why that person, place or thing is important to them. Also, remember that the short answer responses are just as significant to an admissions committee as the long personal statements.

Finally, students need to take time in preparing their responses. Most essays will probably go through many drafts, which is expected, since writing is truly an art. Ultimately, colleges are looking for the right fit so hopefully those essays can help to confirm if the college, and the student, are a match.

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What Do College Admissions Look For in an Essay?

Sarah farbman.

• August 23, 2023

A college essay isn’t just an abstract writing assignment. It’s a piece of writing that you undertake for a very specific purpose: to give college admissions officers the evidence they need in order to admit you to their school. In order to write the most compelling essay that you can, it is crucial to ask:   what do college admissions look for in an essay. And what are they not looking for?  

In order to tackle these very important questions, it will help to first understand why college admissions look for an essay in the first place!

What do college admissions look for in an essay?  

Four things: growth, critical thinking, engagement, and self-direction. But first, why is the essay required?

Why do college admissions require an essay?

The truth is, essays aren’t important for all colleges. Even if the college uses the Common Application , colleges may make the essay optional, or they may not give you space for an essay at all. Those colleges will be looking more seriously at other factors, such as your transcript and GPA. 

However, many colleges ask for an essay because they are trying to create a diverse, interesting, intelligent college class full of students who are, well, diverse, interesting, and intelligent. Colleges want to understand what it is that you would be bringing to the campus community if you were accepted. They already know about your academic achievements, since they have your transcript, academic awards/honors, and test scores (if they are required and if you choose to submit them). They know the bare bones of your community involvement, since you have to tell them your extracurricular activities, and they have some idea of the role you play in the classroom and school community, thanks to your letters of recommendation. 

But what’s missing from all of that is, well, you. Your voice, your values, your perspective. Your college essay is your opportunity to advertise to colleges, in your own words, what qualities, values, and perspectives you would be bringing with you to college. What niche will you fill in the campus community? What role will you play? 

Your essay is only 650 words, so you don’t have room to tell your whole life story or try to hit upon every possible attribute that you would bring to a college. As you look through this list of what college admissions look for in an essay , consider which of these points you would best be able to showcase or you feel most proud of in yourself.

The best essays show growth

Many people think that, since this is an application, it is important to only show their strengths and to hide any weaknesses they may have or mistakes they may have made. That is not a good strategy. College admissions look for essays that show that you are capable of reflection and growth. Colleges aren’t looking for people who are perfect, and they certainly aren’t looking for people who stubbornly think they are perfect. Colleges are looking for students who can grapple with challenging new ideas. They are looking for people who are aware and humble when they make mistakes and are not afraid to take ownership of those mistakes and learn from them. If you are afraid to be vulnerable on the page, it will be quite difficult to show that awareness, humility, bravery, and growth. 

Don’t be afraid to be critical!

College is school, after all. Colleges are looking for people who will engage with challenging ideas and offer new perspectives, both in the classroom and outside of it. One way to show that you have an analytical mind is by offering some sort of critique of society. Instead of just writing a story about how you ran for prom king, for example, try weaving that story together with a critique of the very notion of prom and prom royalty. 

Your essay will be even stronger if you can tie your story and critique back to some sort of book/article you’ve read, podcast you’ve heard, or show you’ve seen. Remember: the ultimate goal of education is to train your brain to think critically about the world around you. You can show that you have the potential to be a strong critical thinker by applying  your analytical skills to your own life, your own values, and your own experiences, in order to draw interesting (but perhaps imperfect—see point above) conclusions from those experiences.

Use your essay to show engagement with your community

Colleges want scholars, yes, but they are also trying to cultivate a thriving community. Every community needs people of different sorts who bring different skills, abilities, perspectives, and backgrounds to the party. Communities need contributors: people who will jump in to solve problems, to expand opportunity, and to generally be helpful citizens. Education is about training you to be a change-maker in the context of some sort of broader community. Your essay is an opportunity to demonstrate what kind community member and citizen you are and will continue to be on campus and in the world. If you are someone who genuinely values being engaged with your community, whether that community consists of your classmates, your neighbors, your teammates, or another sort of group all together, use your essay to explore that side of yourself.

What college admissions look for in an essay is self-direction

There is certainly nothing wrong with showing up to school, work, practice, or a volunteer position and following the instructions given to you in order to achieve some sort of goal. People tell you want to do, and you do it. A teacher gives you an assignment, and you complete it to the best of your ability. You learn the rules, and you follow them.

However, as you shift from high school to college, your notion of success will (hopefully!) begin to shift as well. Instead of receiving some sort of external reward for faithfully following directions, you should begin to craft your own vision and plan for what you want to achieve and how you’ll know when you’ve been successful and work toward achieving it on your own terms. 

What do college admissions look for in an essay?  It’s the wrong question

Many students wonder what college admissions look for in an essay. The better question to ask is what do college admissions look for in an applicant . Colleges want students who will be successful on their campus both academically and socially. They want students who are hungry to learn and who will bring a unique perspective to the institution, students who will care about their classmates and invest their time, energy, and emotions into making the campus community stronger. If your college essay can show that you are that type of student, you are off to a very good start.

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College Essay FAQ: Ask An Admissions Officer

In the following article, an admissions officer answers frequently asked questions about the college essay (also known as the CommonApp Essay, or the Personal Statement)! For more guidance on your college essay and the college application process in general,  sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

What is a college essay?

A college essay is a writing sample that is submitted with your application. It is a personal statement that shares more information about you with the admission committee. The other pieces of the application – the transcript, the activities, the letters of recommendation – will all look very similar when compared with other applicants to highly selective colleges. The essay is your opportunity to humanize your application by sharing a personal anecdote about yourself as well as to demonstrate a high level of thinking through your writing abilities. The essay distinguishes you and your application from all other candidates.

What is the CommonApp essay?

The CommonApp essay is the response to one of seven essay prompts in the Common Application. Students respond to one of the questions which is then sent to all of the schools to which they apply. The benefit is that the student only needs to write one essay total as opposed to one essay for each school.

What are the college application essay prompts?

Essay prompts vary, so it is important to review the topics for each application. Students should be strategic and select a topic that allows them to share something about themselves that may not already be included in the application. Admission committees do not expect 18-year-olds to write about unique life experiences, but they do expect students to write unique essays about common experiences.

The seven first-year CommonApp essay prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma — anything of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

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

How long is a college essay?

Essay length requirements will vary between schools, but they’re generally not long. The Common App essay requires at least 250 but no more than 650 words, but the University of California essays are limited to 350 words each. Students should plan to write an essay with a word count close to, but not exceeding, the limit. Many applications, including the CommonApp, will not allow students to submit more than the maximum word count.

How important is a college essay?

The role of the essay will vary by school. At highly selective colleges, the essay is arguably just as important as the transcript. There is very little to distinguish between the top students academically, so the essay provides an opportunity to shine. This is where you talk about yourself as a person, not just a student. Academics are the priority in the admission process, but admission officers are also looking for students who will contribute positively to their community.

For other schools, the essay may play a very minor role in the admission decision. This can happen at larger universities where admission offices do not have the time or resources to heavily evaluate your writing. It can also occur for program-specific applications where the admission office places more emphasis on course progressions and test scores.

When should I start planning my college essay? When should I write my college essay?

Students should use the summer before their senior year to reflect on their experiences and determine what they would like to share with the admission committee. Ideally, you should complete the first draft of your essay by the start of school in September, which will allow you to focus on your senior year.

How do I pick a topic for my college essay?

Select the topic that interests you most. When you choose to write about something you’re excited about, you will automatically write a stronger essay. There is a common misconception that students need to write a unique essay. Instead, the focus should be on writing an authentic essay. The admission committee reads hundreds or even thousands of essays each year. They are not judging your experiences. Instead, they are evaluating your ability to effectively communicate those experiences. The best way to do that is by choosing a topic that is meaningful to you.

When is my college essay due?

The essay is due when the application and supporting documents are submitted. If you apply using the CommonApp or the Coalition Application, the essay is submitted with the application.

How should a college essay be formatted?

The application essay is a formal piece of writing and this should be reflected in the formatting.

Choose a standard 12-point font, double space between lines, and make sure to either indent paragraphs or have extra spaces. If you drafted your essay in Word or Google Docs and then pasted it into the application, you will need to proofread carefully. This process often erases your formatting and can translate it into to block text or out-of-place characters.

What happens to my college essay after submission?

Once the application is submitted, the essay is converted into a PDF and sent directly to the colleges connected with this particular application. The college will receive the file as a PDF and import it directly into the student’s record. The admission committee will review it in this format. Once you click the submit button, you can no longer make any changes to the document.

Who reads my college essay?

Your essay will be read by the admission committee, which will include admission counselors and in some cases professors. Typically, the counselor that either works with students from your area or evaluates applications for the major to which you have applied will be the first person to read your application. At large universities, this may be the only person to see your application. At smaller schools, it will likely undergo a more rigorous process including a second review and a committee discussion.

What are college essay readers looking for?

Essay readers are first looking to make sure that the student has an understanding of the basic mechanics of writing. A great essay will show a powerful command of the English language where each word supports the storyline. Students don’t need to use sophisticated language (avoid the thesaurus trap!) but instead should think about using their vocabulary in a sophisticated way. The admission committee wants to hear the student’s voice throughout the entire essay.

Next, they want to see that the student answered the question. Are they telling a story from start to finish, or are they reflecting on an experience and sharing what they learned about themselves? The best essays show a deeper level of thinking and reflection when addressing the topic.

What college essay topics should I avoid?

The general rule is to not share something with the admission committee that you would not share with your family over dinner. Remember, the application readers are looking for a good academic fit, but they are also trying to determine if you are a good social fit for their community. You want to avoid topics that are too personal that may lead the committee to question your ability to be successful. The essay is your opportunity to shine amongst thousands of other applicants, and writing about a negative or questionable experience is a missed opportunity.

Can a college essay be funny?

Yes, but be careful. When done well, writing a funny essay can be an effective way to share your sense of humor with the committee. However, like sarcasm, humor doesn’t always translate through the computer screen. Plan to have several other people read your essay and see if they understand the tone. A good rule to follow is to simply allow your natural voice to come through. If you’re funny in person, then there is a good chance that the humor will shine through.

Can a college essay be too personal?

Yes. Again, if you’re writing about something that you would not discuss at the dinner table, then the topic is likely too personal. Your essay will be evaluated by people whose job is to find students who will be a good fit for their institution both academically and socially. You should choose a topic that allows the admission committee to see that you are a good fit. If you think your essay might be too personal, re-read it and then ask yourself what the reader learns about you. Are you highlighting your strengths? If not, pick another topic.

Can a college essay be about anything?

Students can write about any topic they choose as long as it directly relates to the question in the prompt.

Can a college essay be informal?

No. Students should think of the essay as a tool to help differentiate themselves from the other candidates. It is a formal piece of writing that is meant to highlight their thinking, writing and communication skills, so admission officers expect to see polished pieces of writing. Using an informal tone can impact your application negatively.

Are there any college applications without an essay?

There are some colleges that do not require an essay with the application. These could be large universities that receive a high number of applications but have limited resources to evaluate them. Other schools may choose to not require an essay as a way to attract more applicants to their institution.

Can I use quotations in my college essay?

You may include quotes in your essay, though you should use them minimally. Using quotes introduces a different voice when the applicant should be highlighting their own voice. Most applications have a maximum word count that students may find restrictive, and using quotations limits your voice even further.

What should I do if my college essay is too long?

Most applications will not allow you to submit essays that exceed the word limit, so it is important to watch the word count closely. If it is too long, read it out loud to identify phrasing that doesn’t directly support your topic or areas with awkward phrasing. Are you over-explaining? Did it take you five sentences to say something that could have been done in two? If you make these changes and you’re still over the word limit, put it aside for a week or two and come back to it. Viewing it through a fresh lens can help you see exactly what changes need to be made.

How do I find a college essay tutor or someone to help me with my essay?

The admission committee expects to read a highly polished piece of writing demonstrating that the student has given it considerable time and thought. While school counselors and English teachers can fine-tune the writing mechanics, CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts can help strategize ways to create an attention catching essay. In addition, students using the Platinum and Ivy Plus packages have the option to work with a former admission officer to learn exactly how an admission committee would evaluate their writing. The CollegeAdvisor.com method elevates a student’s writing without compromising their voice.

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What Admissions Officers Look For In Your Essay

By Brianna Burrows

There are many requirements to apply to college, such as your SAT score or TOEFL score. There is one element to the application process that can be the most difficult for students: the essay. Your essay, or personal statement, is a key deciding factor in your application. A majority of colleges and universities believe the essay to be of considerable or moderate importance to determining your acceptance. Many students wonder though, what do admissions officers look for in my essay? Here are some elements that admissions officers look for in your essay.

What Makes You Unique?

You are competing with a lot of other students who have similar test scores and grades. Therefore, your essay or personal statement is your opportunity to showcase what makes you stand out from others. This is your chance to humbly brag about your life. Admissions officers look for unique experiences beyond traditional education such as volunteer work, travel, or overcoming personal adversity. Make sure to pick one specific experience to write about. You don’t want to write about your whole life story as your transcripts, grades, and test scores already cover a wide extent of your life.

Can You Write?

In college, you are going to be spending a tremendous amount of time writing. Your essay provides insight into your ability as a writer. Writing is an essential skill with most professions today. Writing is going to be involved whether you’re writing emails or writing a report. Your writing should be organized well with proper structure and syntax. Also, make sure to have no grammar and spelling mistakes. Your writing should be meaningful and appealing to your reader. The voice of your writing should be similar to the way you speak. If you talk like a smart 18-year-old, then write with vocabulary that an 18-year-old would use. You shouldn’t be trying to use your SAT vocabulary words in your essay.

What Will You Contribute to the Community?

Admissions officers want to know how you will enhance your community if accepted. Colleges are increasingly aware of the value of cultural diversity in the student body. If you are an international student, simply saying you are not from ‘here’ is not enough. How will you bring your culture to the community and share it with students? This ties into what makes you unique. Be specific about your cultural experiences and how you might share them with the campus and surrounding community.

It’s important to  remember that some undergraduate and graduate programs may not require a personal statement . It is best to check your specific department’s requirements. If you spend a fair amount of time working on your essay or personal statement, you’re bound to impress your readers.

Brianna Burrows

Brianna Burrows is a freelance marketing specialist and alumna of Northeastern University. She specializes in event management, social media management, and content branding. Follow her on Twitter   here .

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Admissions Officers Discuss 3 Common Essay Topics

A college essay topic doesn't have to be unique to be a good choice for applicants, experts say.

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Admissions officers look at much more than the topic students select when assessing college essays.

Grades and test scores may measure a student's academic potential, but those factors fail to capture his or her personality. That's where the college essay comes in. The college essay offers students the chance to tell their own story to admissions officials.

How important is the college essay? It ranked as the fifth most important factor in the admissions process in a 2019 National Association for College Admission Counseling survey. The essay followed other factors: high school GPA , grades in college prep courses, strength of curriculum at a student's high school, and SAT and ACT scores.

High school students may worry about not having an original topic for their college essay – that anything they write about will be something admissions officers have read countless times before.

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Aug. 10, 2023

But admissions deans and directors from several colleges told U.S. News that it's OK if applicants write about a common subject.

"Overuse of a topic doesn't make it a bad topic," says Whitney Soule, senior vice president and dean of admissions and student aid at Bowdoin College in Maine.

How common an essay topic is matters less than a student's ability to express something significant about himself or herself.

"It's not just about the topic, but why it's important to you and how you can showcase who you are as a student and an individual through that topic," says Jennifer Gayles, director of admission and coordinator of multicultural recruitment at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.

Here are three examples of common college application essay topics that admissions officials say are fine for students to write about as long as they do so thoughtfully.

The Big Game Essay

Many high school students play sports, so it's understandable that athletics comes up fairly often in college essays.

One potential pitfall of a sports-focused essay is that students spend too much time describing what happened in the game, meet or competition and not enough time on how it affected them personally, some experts say.

Laura Stratton, director of admission at Scripps College in California, says she remembers reading a well-written sports essay in which the author wrote about being benched. The student was a senior and had played throughout the season, but she found herself on the sideline during the final game.

"The self-awareness the student showed of being a good team member and showing up for her teammates and continuing to be positive even though it wasn't the personal experience that she wanted to have, it said a lot about her character and about the type of roommate she would be or classmate she would be," Stratton says, "and that landed really well with the readers."

It's also fairly common for students to write about a sports-related injury in response to a college essay prompt about overcoming a challenge or failure, says Christoph Guttentag, dean of undergraduate admissions at Duke University in North Carolina. One of the 2019-2020 essay prompts for The Common Application – an application platform that allows students to submit their materials, including the essay, to multiple colleges at once – focuses on overcoming obstacles, according to the platform's website.

"If that's what has really mattered to the student, if that's something that has generated a lot of thought on their part, then I think it's a great essay topic," Guttentag says.

Essays That Focus on Service-Based Activities

College essays about service to others, either at home or abroad, can be moving to read but difficult to effectively write, given the short amount of space students are allotted for a college essay, some experts say. The Common App essay is limited to 650 words, for example.

"The idea of other people who are less advantaged being used as the vehicle for someone's increased self-awareness is how that can come across sometimes," Guttentag says, "and I think that can be difficult to pull off."

A student's motivation for choosing this topic also matters. If applicants decide to write about service, they should do so because their experience has led to thought and reflection, not because they feel like this is a topic admissions officers expect them to write about, Guttentag says.

Essays That Focus on a Meaningful Relationship

Students don't have to write about a major turning point in their essay, Soule says. They can instead reflect on something from their day-to-day life that they find meaningful. For some students, this may mean writing about a relationship with a parent, grandparent or other key figure in their life.

"I think that those can be great essays if the student is keeping top of mind that at the end of the essay we should know something about them as a person and how that relationship has affected and shaped them," Stratton says, "not just the great things about their grandma."

For example, Soule says she remembers a strong essay in which a student wrote about being a sibling. The student talked about what his relationship with his younger brother was like at different points throughout his life.

There wasn't any big, dramatic moment that the story hinged on, Soule says. The essay just reflected on how the student and his brother had grown up and evolved in relation to one another.

"That was really personal," Soule says, "and it also demonstrated a person who could see himself in relationship to other people, which is a hugely important quality, particularly when we're building a community of people who are going to be living together and learning together."

While students may ask themselves, "How important are college essays?" the answer is simple: important enough for college admissions that they should invest the time and effort to do their best and make the topic their own – even if it's common.

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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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What Do Colleges Look for in an Essay? Examples & Tips

What is a College Essay?

The college essay is an essential element of the college application process. It presents an opportunity for students to personalize their college application, beyond grades and scores. It can also be one of the more nerve-wracking parts of the application process. 

If you are reading this article, you are like applying to college and taking the process seriously. The quality of the college you attend will have a big effect on your entire life, and taking a few hours to make your application the best it can possibly be may be the most lucrative time investment you will ever make.

What do colleges look for in an essay from applicants?

So, what do colleges look for in an essay? The answer is similar to what colleges look for in an applicant. To hit the right notes, you need to consider the perspective and even the mission statement of the college, which of course values intelligence, a good work ethic, and the type of personality that will represent the school. 

Therefore, the core aspects that admissions officials at any institution look for in an essay are:

·         Intelligence

·         Strong communication skills

·         Ambition and goals

·         Creativity

·         Proactivity and self-direction

·         Interest in education and self-betterment

These elements are not based on any abstract moral consideration–colleges want students who will make their institution stronger. They will look for evidence of these traits in your personal essay, as grades only reflect a few of these core aspects and abilities. 

Beyond these considerations, remember that an admissions officer (an actual human being) will read your essay and respond to it both rationally and emotionally. In many cases, that emotion is boredom. Keep in mind that these officials read hundreds of application essays each admissions season. But if your essay can successfully win them over, then you’ll be getting a letter that begins with a “We are delighted to announce…”

Qualities Colleges Look for to Include in Your Essay

Most achievements that colleges are looking for will be reflected in your college application, and therefore, these have been left off of the list below. The achievements showing your passion and drive, as well as your internal and external motivations, will be the ones to include in your application essay. 

Challenging extracurricular activities

Colleges want to see students who stretch themselves beyond the limits of the classroom. The kinds of activities you choose say a lot about your personality and even your morals. Whether or not you stick with your chosen undertakings exhibits your ability to commit to important projects in the long term.

Volunteer and work experience

Any experience you have that shows true commitment, leadership qualities and an interest in community is beneficial to your application. Include the organizations or companies you worked for and what your responsibilities were at each one. If you received any promotions or special recognitions, be sure to mention those as well.

Talents and passions

More colleges are moving away from accepting students who did the most “stuff” to looking for those who focus their energy in specific areas that they’re passionate about. Schools want to see what makes you special and how hard you’re willing to work at the things you care about.

Obstacles or challenges you have overcome

One of the most important aspects of a good college student is their ability to learn from mistakes and overcome challenges in order to achieve success. This is especially true for Common App Essay prompts . In your essay, focus on what exact difficulties or challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned from this experience. After all, admissions officials are more impressed by a student who came from an adverse situation and still achieved success than they are with a student who had every advantage handed to them and skated by on position and intelligence.

What is a well-written essay?

Admissions officers read a lot of essays, and a well-written one can make a refreshing change. Students should check their essays to make sure they clearly meet these criteria:

• Does the essay provide a direct answer to the essay question?
• Does it have a strong opening paragraph that captures the reader’s interest?
• Does it put forth a comprehensive argument or narrative? Does the student make a point and stick to it?
• Does it have a natural style that’s comfortable for the student and appropriate for the subject matter?
• Did the student use effective word choice, syntax, and structure?
• Does it contain correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling?
• Is it succinct? Did the student pay attention to the recommended length?

How to Write About Positive Qualities in an Application Essay

The rule of thumb here is always “Show–don’t tell.” When writing a college essay, skip generalized information. Instead, provide real, specific examples to support your statements. Your attention to detail will help make you more memorable to an admissions officer who has to read hundreds, if not thousands, of essays. 

For example, instead of “I love hiking,” you could say, “After reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, I decided my next adventure would be climbing Mt. Everest.” What’s the difference between these two sentences? The first says you like something, while the second one illustrates that you do—but not only that, it also shows your level of commitment and your desire for challenge. Of the two example sentences, which do you think maximizes your use of words and would be more interesting to admissions officers?

Bad example: Claim without proof My teacher once told me that I was the most skilled and intelligent student she’s ever taught, and I believed her. When I set a goal, there’s no stopping me. I’ll work at it until it’s achieved—even if it’s to my own detriment.

Good example: Showing with concrete evidence In sophomore year, I decided to set a goal to raise more money for Relay for Life than any other student involved. I asked my neighbors, family, teachers, and even my paster, who sat through my 20-minute prepared speech about why donating to this campaign would be the best use of his money. I spoke to community groups. I did three straight weekends of door-to-door fundraising. And in the end, my efforts paid off—I succeeded in raising over $500 more than any other student.

Showing initiative and ambition

Initiative and ambition are top qualities that colleges look for in an applicant. Students who exhibit these traits will bring a positive and driven attitude with them to college, where it will help them contribute to the campus and succeed in their academic endeavors.

The college essay should always show how you took some kind of action—it shouldn’t just include things that happened to you as a passive individual. For example, rather than simply writing about how it was emotionally difficult when your older sibling got sick, discuss specific coping strategies you developed during that time or ways that you contributed to helping your sibling and family.

Showing self-reflection and growth

Personal growth is one of the most popular topics to write about since it represents what the admissions essay is all about: helping the college gain better insight into your personality and character. Some schools ask targeted questions — “What was the most challenging event you have ever faced, and how have you grown from it?” — while others leave the topic open: “Describe an event that has had great meaning for you. Explain why and how it has affected you.”

One of the most successful strategies is to use a past event as a lens through which you can assess who you were and the person you became, how you have grown and changed, and your transformation. Most children are curious, but were you the one who asked your teacher what caused the change of seasons of the year and then created a solar system model and explained the concept to your classmates? Though you may think that your topic needs to be bold and unique, this is not necessary to craft an effective essay. Instead, success lies in painting an accurate and vivid picture of yourself — one that will show admissions officers that you have much to offer their school.

Structure your essay with a clear beginning, middle, and end

When you include the basic plot elements of setting, introduction, conflict, and resolution, not only will your essay be more fun to read, it will be easier to write. And when writing is easier, you are usually having more fun and pouring more of yourself into your writing. You will find that this often translates into a more compelling story as well since passion and interest are hallmarks of any good story told to a friend or included on the page of an adventure or romance novel. When structuring your narrative arc, include the lessons you have learned from these experiences: How did you change? What did you learn? What did/do you plan to do differently because of these experiences? Anyone can write about how they won first place in a competition or spent a fantastic vacation in Europe. The important stuff is not in the itinerary, but rather in the diary–what you learned from the experience and how it impacted you.

Essay Introduction #1: Focus on Your Personal Qualities

One approach when beginning your application essay is to start by describing positive character traits you possess and then showing examples of times you demonstrated those traits.

Starting with your qualities A student wants to show that he is determined and tenacious. He thinks about times when he went above and beyond what was necessary to succeed in high school. He thinks of how he became the only student at his school to participate in three or more AP classes while also being involved in multiple sports and extracurricular activities. He also thinks of his volunteer work with his church at a local homeless shelter, where he made friends and connections with shelter guests and high-profile members of the community. These are the qualities around which his essay is focused.

Essay Introduction #2: Focus on a Personal Story

Another way to approach your essay topic is to start with a story and then work show examples that demonstrative your positive qualities.

Starting with a story A student’s sibling has been fighting cancer for the past three years, and he feels that this is an important experience that has shaped who he is today. He considers how the difficulties of this experience have changed him and help distinguish him from other applicants. 

From introducing his story at the beginning of his essay, this applicant can tie in the positive qualities he exhibits with the finer details of his personal story: 

• He is independent, as he needed to deal with taking care of a loved one in a serious and sustained way that his peers did not need to deal with.
• He is focused, as dealing with regular medical emergencies has not deterred him from achieving good grades and being part of his community.
• He is empathetic, as he understands personally how hard times can impact people.

Whatever essay topic you choose, your essay should provide admissions officers concrete evidence that you are an ideal candidate for their school. Your essay should have a memorable introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and guides the rest of your essay.

Repeat Your Qualities in the Essay Conclusion

Although your essay introduction is crucial in starting your essay off in a clear and impactful direction, how you end your essay is also important as it is the last thing that will remain in the reader’s mind. One surefire way to write a strong essay conclusion is to repeat the important qualities you discussed earlier. Recall details about your personal story or repeat the qualities you introduced at the beginning of the essay. Here is an example of what a good conclusion can capture what colleges are looking for in an essay: 

Concluding your essay by repeating your qualities During my high school years, my qualities of leadership, initiative, and hard work have help shape me to become the strong student I am today. As the head of our school’s volunteer group, I showed that even a teenager can make a big impact. As a student achieving high grades in all three of my AP courses, I demonstrated my dedication to education about all. Finally, as a daughter of working-class immigrant parents, I have used my value of hard work to achieve things my parents never thought possible. These values have contributed to making me the conscientious and successful student and person I am now, and they will surely continue to assist and guide me in my academic and professional career.

Interesting Essay Topics to Write About

There are hundreds of resources available online about writing college essays (including How to Write the Common App Essay ). And while you can find dozens of interesting and fruitful essay topics that have worked, here are just a few more that are not too specific and can be molded to fit your unique profile and personal story. 

1. A unique extracurricular activity or passion 

2. An activity or interest that contrasts heavily with your profile

3. A seemingly insignificant moment that speaks to larger themes within your life 

4. Using an everyday experience or object as a metaphor to explore your life and personality 

5. An in-the-moment narrative that tells the story of an important moment in your life

Additional Tips for Writing an Essay Colleges Will Love

Choose a strong essay topic.

First, whichever structure you will use, you need to ask yourself what you actually want to accomplish in life (esp. in terms of career) . This gives you your goals. You need to choose a program that helps you reach these goals—otherwise, you should seriously reconsider whether you should even be applying!  

If you are using the “Story” structure…

The story is going to be your topic, so make it an engaging tale… but remember you are not here to show that you are the next Shakespeare. There are three ways to go here: a story/description about yourself that shaped who you are and shows who you are. A story/description of something completely different that inspires you or is a metaphor for who you are.

If you are using the “Conveying passion for a subject” structure…

In this case, you have your topic (the subject you are passionate about), but remember the essay should be about what it means to you (don’t get bogged down in describing the subject itself). Use each subsequent paragraph to illustrate how you show passion for the subject or topic you have chosen. Be sure to use concrete details within the paragraph, but begin each paragraph with a “mini-thesis statement” that gives the reader a clear and concise summary of how you demonstrate your passion in a particular way.

Engage the Reader with Your Essay’s Narrative

The admissions officer will not be interested in a mere list of your personal qualities, extracurriculars, or accomplishments. This information is included elsewhere in your application. Instead, focus on showing who you are in your essay through a narrative that includes concrete details. 

But how can you plan the topics included in your narrative essay? First, grab a pen and jot down important experiences that spring to mind. Your experience could be something negative that eventually turns out to be positive or vice-versa. The most intriguing part of a negative experience is how you handled it and, hopefully, came out on top. Give your reader a setting to help them feel like they’re a part of your story and experience this moment of change with you.

Focus on what you care about most

Consider this a kind of brainstorming exercise. Close your eyes and imagine what drives you, motivates you, excites you, and inspires you to pursue great things (or at least fantasize about doing them). This might include a hobby, a genre of music, an important person in your life, a pivotal memory or experience, a book—anything meaningful that you consider part of your identity or that defines you. 

Start by listing these items and creating a word web of other relevant or secondary aspects of this one idea, person, object, or experience. Write some brief sentences about exactly why it is important to you. Once you have your list and a few sentences written, it should be a bit easier to narrow your topic to just one or two things at most.

Essay Editing for College Application Essays

One thing all schools look for in an essay is a document that is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and style. Admissions essay editing services are ideal for international students who struggle with English or simply want to take their essays to the next level. Students should take care to choose a company that’s reputable and employs highly qualified editors .

Check out Wordvice’s array of professional English editing services and proofreading services , including essay editing services, to learn how our editors can improve your essays and help you get into your dream school.

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A Step-By-Step Guide on How College Admissions Officers Read Your Application

September 6, 2018

This winter, after weeks, months, and years (yes, years) of preparation, you are going to submit your college applications. But don’t you want to know what happens next?

As you get ready to apply to colleges, it’s important to understand what actually happens in the admissions office. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be in a better position to craft a successful application.

When your application process ends, the hard work at admissions offices is just beginning. The weeks and months after application deadlines trigger the busiest time of the year for college admissions officers across the country. Having worked in admissions at Johns Hopkins, Bowdoin, Regis College, and George Washington University, I am going to demystify what happens behind the closed doors of admissions offices...

1. Your application is added to the digital “stack” with thousands of other applications.

You click submit, and the waiting game begins. Paper applications used to be placed in a massive stack, but colleges now move thousands of data points through an online process, built for their specific parameters. In many cases, an application and its supporting components may never be printed. But have no fear, the software is very precise. Every school will have their own methods to streamline the wave of application materials coming their way. Computerized systems will flag any missing components and mark completed applications as ready to read.

2. Your application is sorted into a pile (usually by region), which means you are evaluated against students from your geographic area.

At the places that I have worked, we followed a “geographic territory” model. Simply put, each member of the admission office managed a geographic section of the world. Larger states or areas with big application numbers were split among several  college admissions officers . Schools use past admissions data to gauge their most popular areas. Southern California, for example, could be broken into multiple territories for some schools based on the number of applications they receive.

3. Your regional admissions officer receives the pile and reviews your school profile.

I have been fortunate enough to read applications from around the world. This experience showed me the importance of context. There are too many high schools for college admission officers to be familiar with each of them. Even in a single territory, there will be too many schools to intimately know every single one. This is why the information from your high school’s report is crucial. It sets the stage for the application review.

“School profiles” and information from your guidance counselors give college admissions officers the averages, course information, and knowledge to understand what your specific academic experience actually means. Without context, what does your 4.2 GPA really indicate? Without understanding the course rigor available to you, what is the significance of 2, 4, or 6 AP classes? Colleges will not make decisions on any application without examining all such information available to them.

4. Your application is read for the first time...in 11 minutes.  

After an admissions officer has learned all that they can about your school, it’s time to read your application! All  college admissions officers  have their style, so I will walk you through mine: typically, I spent about 11 minutes reading an application, and read well over 1,000 student files each year. While 11 minutes was my average, there were memorable students that drew me in, and I spent more time learning their stories. Weaker or more typical applications might take less time to go through. After reading the school profile, I started with the factual information inside of the application, taking notes about the content.

5. College admissions officers take shorthand notes on your application.

Every admissions office has agreed upon shorthand for our rapid notetaking. This includes abbreviations for common activities and honors, as well as commentary shortcuts like DNS (does not stand out) and LMO (like many others), used to quickly describe unremarkable candidates. Every section of the Common Application helped me learn more about the applicants. I became familiar with their families (what did their parents do?), activities outside of school (how did they spend their time?), and their character (what kind of person were they?). After this, I moved onto my school’s supplemental essays, high school transcript, and usually finished with the letters of recommendation.

Throughout the process, I continually asked myself the same questions: Could I picture this student succeeding on campus? What communities would the applicant likely join? Would the student be a good fit for my school? How did the application stand out against others that I had read? What was exciting about the stories being told? The answers to these questions led naturally to my next set of decisions.

6. Your application receives a recommendation and might even get a second read.

Traditionally, college admissions officers can recommend to admit, deny, or waitlist an applicant (options like defer might also be in the mix). In my experience, an application can go on a few different paths after this first read. It may be sent on for a second read, meaning another admissions officer will voice an opinion. Because admissions spaces are so competitive, sending an application directly to the acceptance folder was rare. Senior level admissions staff or the dean of admissions monitored the admit, deny, and waitlist piles to ensure nothing was missed and that institutional priorities were considered. Of course, each institution is unique and will emphasize different values year-to-year—for example, Johns Hopkins might need a bassoon player one admissions cycle, while Northwestern might be looking for more Slavic Studies majors instead. It’s not really as simple as that, but this is part of the reason why you may be accepted at one school and face rejection at another.

Thousands of applicants don’t make the cut in these first few reads. If your application makes it to committee, that’s an accomplishment in itself! But the competition is only going to intensify…

7. If selected, your application is presented at committee and voted on.

Committee is the place where the class is shaped. This is where decisions are made. This is the time when individual admissions officers pitch the most memorable students that they hope to convince the rest of the committee to admit. In my experience, committee is usually a smaller subset of the admissions office, led by senior admissions officers or the dean.

One by one, college admissions officers present the applicants that they feel deserve acceptance . I presented some cases that lasted just a few minutes and some that lasted half an hour. I only brought cases to committee that I was excited about, that stood out, and that I thought would make my institution better. I didn’t always get the decision I wanted for my chosen students, but together we worked towards the greater goal of creating the strongest possible incoming class. Ultimately, decisions were made by vote, consensus, or a feeling in the room. After weeks and weeks of committee, we came to many conclusions, but our work wasn’t done yet.

8. You get in... or you don’t (depending on pull-backs).

One of the hardest parts of working in admissions is a process that I learned as “pull-backs.” Inevitably, each college has only a certain number of admissions slots. College admissions is also a statistics game. Data is analyzed over and over until the incoming class comes together. As this process happens, “pulling-back” potential admits ensures that institutions do not “over admit” their class. Pull-backs can happen in a multitude of ways, but in my experience, I was given the opportunity to look back at my territory and select students for reconsideration by the dean. This did not trigger an automatic rejection or waitlist, but the process did make applicants vulnerable. The dean’s goal of a well-rounded class took into account a myriad of variables, situations, goals, and institutional interests. Once the data returned clean, everything would be frozen until decision day. On that day, we stayed late after work and watched the decisions go out, eagerly thinking about our favorite students receiving their acceptances.

This is a very hard job! I absolutely loved my time in admissions and it was an honor to shape the institutions where I worked. Now that I work with students on the other side of the process at InGenius Prep, here is my advice: you cannot control this process, but you can be smart and deliberate about your path. Find a set of schools that really fit you. Create a solid foundation and a theme that helps the admission officer get to know you well. Make yourself memorable and easy to present in committee. If you can do that, you’ll find success.

Tags : former admissions officers , college admissions , Admissions Committee , Admissions Officers , college admissions advice , officers

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Are you wondering how the college admission process works? Maybe you want to know how many admissions officers will be reviewing your application? In this article we will discuss how college admissions decisions are made, key college application strategies, and more. So if you are wondering what college admissions officers really look for in an applicant, read on! 

What goes into the “holistic admissions” process?

College admissions rates are becoming increasingly more competitive. The Class of 2026 college acceptance rates is currently at a record low. This is why it’s important to plan ahead so you can stand out! Especially if you’re serious about attending an Ivy League college . In this article, we will review key admissions factors so that you can start thinking more seriously about your high school career, college applications, and whether hiring a college admissions consultant is right for you.

What college admissions officers are looking for is passionate and talented students who will contribute meaningfully to a vibrant and diverse college community. This can look different depending on the school you are planning to attend. In fact, if you made a list of questions to ask a college admissions officer, you’d likely receive  slightly different answers depending on the school. Thankfully, though, there is a lot of overlap! 

Basically, there are six main factors that college admissions officers consider: AP classes and challenging course loads, high school GPAs, SAT and ACT scores (unless they are test-optional), meaningful extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement. The “holistic admissions” process strives to consider each student as an individual rather than as a set of statistics. So while grades, test scores, and academic achievements are important, they are not the only deciding factors. 

AP classes and challenging course loads

The most obvious college admissions advice is to take your high school classes seriously. Work hard to get good grades! Colleges want to admit students who are passionate about learning and demonstrate commitment and hard work by achieving good grades and pursuing a challenging course load. Demonstrate your ability to work hard and manage your time wisely by taking advanced courses and succeeding in them.

It’s important to remember that taking advanced classes is just as important as earning a high GPA. Impress college admissions officers by taking challenging classes, especially on topics that interest you. College admissions committees

What are the differences between IB, AICE, and AP classes?

Do you know the difference between AP and IB classes? Click here to read more

want to admit students who have defined interests, follow their passion, challenge themselves, and continue to grow throughout their high school careers. Keep this in mind as you sit down with your high school guidance counselor or your counselor for college admissions to discuss how many AP Classes should you be taking . 

For example, if you are a strong writer, prioritize taking AP Literature. Similarly, if you are interested in studying political science in college, prioritize taking AP history classes. Remember, it’s important to challenge, but not overwhelm yourself. Ultimately this means you should take advanced classes in subjects you are passionate about, without feeling pressured to take every AP class available to you. 

High school GPA

An impressive high school GPA shows that you are a talented student capable of completing college-level work. Consistently earning good grades shows that you have strong organizational and time management skills, as well as strong study habits. It also shows that you are responsible and committed to your studies.

Having a good high school GPA is an important college admissions factor, but you need to make time for other activities in your schedule as well. Admissions officers want to admit students who will meaningfully contribute to the campus community through extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities.  In other words, you need more than just good grades to get into college. 

SAT and ACT test scores

Standardized test scores are another college admissions factor. Prepare for your SAT  and ACT by planning ahead and designing a personalized study plan. Consider using our 4-week intensive SAT study guide or our 8-week intensive SAT study guide to help get you started. 

You may even decide to hire a college admissions advisor to help connect you with further resources. College admissions advising services can help you better manage your time and effort. This is especially important if you are serious about attending an Ivy League college .

Although more schools are becoming test-optional, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the SAT or the ACT. Submitting impressive SAT or ACT scores will only serve to your advantage. Distinguish yourself from your peers by taking these tests. Remember, the SAT and ACT are important tests, so make sure you read up on plenty of tips for the SAT before the exam! Tweet

Meaningful extracurricular activities

As you prepare for college, remember that admissions officers favor students who pursue their interests both inside and outside of the classroom. It is not enough to get good grades (although this is important!). You also have to be involved in extracurricular activities — in addition to considering possible internships, and volunteer opportunities, as well as how to use your summers in high school . 

High school guidance counselors and teachers often praise “well-rounded” students, but the truth is, colleges want to stand out students and well-rounded student bodies . It’s not enough to do a little bit of everything. Colleges want to admit students who invest themselves fully and commit to four years of an extracurricular activity. Superficial interest in a variety of activities will not impress college admissions officers.

Colleges are less interested in admitting well-rounded students than admitting students who specialize (and excel!) in something. So if you want to stand out, find something you are passionate about and commit yourself fully to it! 

Letters of recommendation

College letters of recommendation help college admissions officers gain a more complete understanding of who they are as a person. It adds texture and dimension to your college application. A successful letter of recommendation will help you stand out by making your college application memorable. 

Letters of recommendation add further credibility to your application. If teachers, coaches, and mentors vouch for you and provide compelling examples of leadership, teamwork, and perseverance, college admissions committees will take note. Colleges want to see that you have people who believe in you and your ability to succeed. So choose your college recommendations carefully! Ask teachers you’ve taken several classes with and can write positive and detailed letters of recommendation.

College essay (personal statements and supplemental essays)

Start your personal statement early! College admissions officers use college essays to figure out who you are as a person. They add depth to your application and allow you to win the people in admissions over. College admissions officers want to see what motivates and inspires you. Who you are and what you are passionate about. In addition to your personal statement, you may need to write supplemental essays as well. 

For your personal statement, write about something important to you that is not already a part of your application. For example, if your

involvement in sports is already listed in your college application, try writing about something else instead. Write about the moment that you realized you wanted to be a doctor. Or the summer you spent visiting your extended family in Brazil. College admissions officers want to curate a diverse, harmonious student body so use each aspect of your college application to your advantage.

Your personal statement and supplemental essays are an important part of your application, so be sure to seek out college admissions essay help. Share your essay with your teachers, guidance counselor, and college admissions counselor. Ask for feedback. Read examples of successful college essays and take note of their strengths. Write several drafts and always remember to proofread!

Moving forward: key college application strategies

The college admissions process can seem overwhelming. Especially because it has so many factors: College essays, letters of recommendation, SATs, extracurriculars, supplemental essays, high school GPA, AP Tests, and more. This is why it is important to ask teachers, mentors, and your high school guidance counselor for advice for applying to college and more generally, for advice for seniors . 

It’s important to research college admissions requirements thoroughly and to remain organized throughout the college application process. Make a list of deadlines and requirements to refer back to. For example, how many letters of recommendation do you need? Will you need to write any supplemental essays? 

Applying to college is a lot to keep track of, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! Make a list of questions to ask a college admissions officer. Consider reaching out to the admissions department. You may also consider hiring a college admissions counselor for additional support during this time. College admissions counseling services can be a worthy investment. If you feel like you could benefit from professional guidance, reach out to learn more about our services ! 

• May 18, 2022
• 10th Grade , 11th Grade , 9th Grade , College Admissions

What do college admissions officers look for in an applicant?

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What College Admissions Officers Look For: Your Data-Backed Guide for 2023

What college admissions officers look for: your data-backed guide.

Bonus Material: Behind-the-Scenes Look at College Admissions

What do college admissions officers look for?

Answering this question can feel like driving without a GPS and relying on a two-year-old to navigate with an outdated map. It’s not a question Google can answer easily, either.

Sure, there are quotes from admissions officers, university blog posts, and the rabbit hole of College Confidential’s forums (don’t do it!).

But this information often leads to more confusion–especially because it can feel so subjective.

How do you get clear answers about what admissions officers are looking for and how the whole process works?

That’s where this guide comes in. We created this post to help you confidently understand what colleges are really looking for!

In this post, you’ll learn all about the Golden Rule of Admissions. We’ll also walk you through the three pillars of successful applicants.

You’ll get our biggest takeaways and how these can inform your own college admissions journey!

Plus, we give our readers free access to our Behind-the-Scenes Look at College Admissions, which examines two actual applications to Columbia College and their admission decisions. Grab this below.

Download Behind-the-Scenes Look

Our advice comes from 20+ years of experience in college admissions, 50+ hours of analysis of primary sources, and lots of research and quotes from experts.

Here’s what we cover:

The Golden Rule of Admissions

• Three Pillars of Successful Applicants
• Strategic Priorities and Why They Matter
•   What Colleges Say They Do
•   What Colleges Actually Do
•   What Colleges Discuss Behind the Scenes
• The College Application in a Nutshell
• Bonus: Behind-the-Scenes Look at College Admissions

What College Admissions Officers Look For

We’ve done all of the research for you, and here it is: The Golden Rule of Admissions!

But how do you classify a student of exceptional potential? We’ve boiled it down to three pillars.

3 Pillars of Students of Exceptional Potential

Pillar #1 – academic achievement.

Colleges are first and foremost academic institutions, so high school academic achievement is the number one quality that colleges seek in applicants.

This criteria may be painfully obvious, but sometimes we forget and spend a disproportionate amount of time on a fifth sport in order to beef up our extracurricular resume.

Getting a C in algebra? Hit the books, because winning the sportsmanship award in intramural bowling is not going to help you.

At large/public universities, academic achievement might be the ONLY criteria for admissions.

At top/private universities, most applicants already demonstrate high academic achievement, so schools evaluate other qualities to differentiate the applicants (“holistic” admissions).

Pillar #2 – Extracurricular Distinction

Students of exceptional potential don’t just achieve inside the classroom – they distinguish themselves outside the classroom as well.

Why? Because colleges want to know that you will contribute to their community and that you will enhance the experience and education of your classmates.

They want you to inspire your classmates, influence each other, challenge each other, help and learn from each other.

Colleges want to know that you are taking advantage of the opportunities available to you. These opportunities include a broad range of activities – athletics, arts, community service, part-time jobs, family obligations, etc.

Figure out your strengths and interests and make the most out of your time OUTSIDE of the classroom.

Pillar #3 – Character & Personal Qualities

Colleges seek out students with remarkable personal qualities such as character, personality, intellectual curiosity, and creativity.

Character is foundational to success. But what exactly is character?

There is a lot of different research out there about character. We define “character” to consist of 3 major components:

• Values – what is important to you
• Morals – what is right and wrong
• Principles – guiding beliefs

There is certainly overlap between the elements. Your principles (belief system) are composed of your values (what is important to you) and morals (what is right and wrong). All are inextricably linked.

Are you lazy or driven? What is your moral code? Do you care about helping others?

Colleges try to understand your character through your actions (your academic and extracurricular achievements), what other people say about you (recommendations), and your stories (essays).

Positive character traits can be learned and developed. The first step is understanding what they are.

The Research Behind This

How did we come up with the Golden Rule of Admissions and 3 Pillars of Successful Applicants?

A lot of research!

We took a deep dive into the strategic priorities of some of the top U.S. colleges and universities. We analyzed mission statements, financial information, quotes from experts in the industry, and much more. We also relied on our 20+ years of experience in college admissions.

In the next part of this post, we present these findings:

• A College’s Priorities

What Colleges Say They Do

What colleges actually do.

• Institutional Priorities – The “X” Factor in College Admissions

Let’s dive in!

What Are A College’s Priorities?

Our students and families often ask us: “What are college admissions officers looking for?”

However, much like assembling a 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, it’s important to start with the bigger picture.

In the world of college admissions, that means asking this question first: “ What are a college’s priorities? ”

Why? The strategic priorities of a university directly impact and influence admissions policies. These priorities have everything to do with what colleges say they do–and what they actually do. They also have a lot to do with what colleges look for in applicants.

To understand these strategic priorities, we’ll look at three main things:

• Mission Statements – What schools say they do
• Financial Statements – What schools actually do
• “Institutional Priorities” – What schools discuss behind closed doors

University leaders are literally telling you what is most important to them through their mission statements. You just have to know how to interpret them.

We combed through dozens of these statements and synthesized the data to cut through university-speak and tease out practical takeaways.

What Is a Mission Statement?

A mission statement is a public declaration that answers “an organization’s most fundamental question, which is ‘Why do we exist?’” according to Christopher Bart, business professor at McMaster University and authority on mission statements , in an interview with Inside Higher Ed .

University presidents and the board of trustees use mission statements to formalize their priorities.

For example, in a survey conducted by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities , 290 institutions were asked, “What steps has your institution taken to make its involvement in community service activity more effective?”

The top response was to place greater emphasis on community service in their missions.

Mission statements provide the foundation for strategic plans. They also steer school operations towards the same goals.

What Does a Mission Statement Look Like?

Mission statements come in all shapes and sizes. Below is a fairly short mission statement from Brown University :

“The mission of Brown University is to serve the community, the nation, and the world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry, and by educating and preparing students to discharge the offices of life with usefulness and reputation. We do this through a partnership of students and teachers in a unified community known as a university-college.”

What Data Did We Use?

We analyzed 32 mission statements from the top 20 ranked national universities and the top 10 ranked liberal arts colleges, as determined by U.S. News and World report .

Yes, we know that rankings can be problematic. However, we chose US News because they’re well-known, and, as you’ll soon find out, most any list we use would still have similar conclusions.

Top 20 Ranked National Universities (2021)

Top 10 ranked liberal arts colleges (2021).

What’s the difference between a national university and liberal arts college? National universities are usually larger and have both undergraduate and graduate programs. Liberal arts colleges are usually smaller and focus on the undergraduate experience.

There are about 3,000 four-year colleges in the U.S. , so our list of 32 schools reflect the top 1% of colleges and universities.

We focus on the nation’s highest ranked colleges and universities, not because we’re elitist snobs, but because these top schools typically set the standards for other schools.

If we can figure out what it takes to get into the nation’s most elite schools, then we’ll be setting ourselves up for admissions success to all schools.

On to our findings!

Mission Statements Are Pretty Similar

We broke down each mission statement and looked for recurring themes and ideas. We found that mission statements are surprisingly similar.

It was like the smart kid in class wrote a mission statement, and every other kid copied it.

A recent study by Gallup corroborates our observation. It found that “the mission, purpose or vision statements of more than 50 higher education institutions share striking similarities, regardless of institution size, public or private status, land-grant status or religious affiliation, or for-profit or not-for-profit status.”

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

What these similarities confirm is that most schools have the same goals, and that the conclusions we draw from our analysis of these 32 schools can be applied to all top schools.

Mission Statements have 8 Recurring Themes

We identified 8 important themes repeatedly mentioned in the mission statements:

Theme #1 – Education & World-Class Teaching

“Beginning in the classroom with exposure to new ideas, new ways of understanding, and new ways of knowing, students embark on a journey of intellectual transformation.” -Harvard University, excerpt from mission statement

It should be no surprise that the theme of education and teaching was found in 100% of mission statements analyzed.

Schools tout their “distinguished” and “dedicated” faculties, “excellence in teaching,” and “unparalleled educational journey.”

In reality, most top schools these days have great teachers, and the strength of the academic programs will be similar across many schools.

Theme #2 – Service

“Dartmouth fosters lasting bonds…which…instill a sense of responsibility for each other and for the broader world.” -Dartmouth College, excerpt from mission statement

The concept of service is frequently used in the context of a university’s commitment to serve its students, the local community, and the world/society at large.

This is done through community service, research, and instilling in students a “sense of responsibility for each other and for the broader world.”

The concept of service and otherness is becoming increasingly important for universities, and therefore for applicants. We’ll be revisiting this topic quite often.

Theme #3 – Produce Leaders & Useful Members of Society

“Yale educates aspiring leaders worldwide who serve all sectors of society.” -Yale University, excerpt from mission statement

Of course a university would want to produce leaders. You don’t go to school with aspirations to take an entry-level job and just stay there. More importantly, a university wants students to think beyond themselves and lead others towards a better society.

Colleges look for the desire and motivation to become leaders when evaluating applicants.

Theme #4 – Diversity

“[Columbia] seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body.” -Columbia University, excerpt from mission statement

Diversity has been a hot topic and will be for a while.

The concept of diversity has evolved from affirmative action. Diversity of all kinds (e.g. ethnic, international, geographical, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic) significantly enhances the quality of education.

The idea of diversity even extends to knowledge, skills, interests, and preferences. Colleges want intelligent students of all backgrounds to come together to create a rich campus environment.

Universities recognize that “diversity and excellence are interrelated,” include it specifically in their mission statements, and apply these ideals not just to student body recruitment but also to the faculty and support staff as well.

Theme #5 – Community, Communication, Collaboration

“The University’s defining characteristics and aspirations include…a human scale that nurtures a strong sense of community, invites high levels of engagement, and fosters personal communication.” -Princeton University, excerpt from mission statement

Do not underestimate the importance of community to a college.

Mission statements frequently mention the benefits of their “residential,” “campus,” and “academic” communities.

Bringing together a diverse community into a single campus promotes positive engagement, tolerance, collaboration, and communication. These skills are as important to long-term success as any skills learned from books or in the classroom.

Theme #6 – Creative, Innovative, Critical Thinking

“In the tradition of its eighteenth-century founders, the College of Arts and Sciences regards the enduring purpose of education as the liberation of the mind from ignorance, superstition, and prejudice.” -University of Pennsylvania, excerpt from mission statement

Mission statements emphasize an environment with a “free exchange of ideas” to “challenge conventional thinking” in pursuit of “intellectual transformation.”

The goal of college is to learn, but more importantly the goal is to also expand minds, challenge assumptions, and learn how to critically evaluate information. These will be the most important skills students take away from the college experience.

Theme #7 – Intellectual and Personal Growth

“Williams seeks to provide the finest possible liberal arts education by nurturing in students the academic and civic virtues, and their related traits of character.” -Williams College, excerpt from mission statement

Colleges understand the important role they play in young students’ lives and aim to foster not only intellectual, but also personal growth, thus setting a foundation for future success.

Colleges value character and specifically mention “high ethical standards,” “integrity,” “self-reliance,” and “humane instincts.”

The development and testing of character and values occurs throughout our lifetimes. These traits play a large role in our successes (and failures).

Theme #8 – Admission of Promising Students

“Amherst brings together the most promising students, whatever their financial need, in order to promote diversity of experience and ideas within a purposefully small residential community.” -Amherst, excerpt from mission statement

The practice of admitting only the most exceptional students is, of course, fairly obvious. What is less obvious is that this pipeline of promising students is the lifeblood of the university.

By attracting and admitting the most able students, schools build an amazing community. Great students become successful graduates, thereby maintaining/increasing school prestige and ensuring the school’s future.

Schools need you as much as you want them. Without great students, a school cannot be a great school.

The Purpose of Universities & Colleges

The 8 themes identified above are nice on their own, but sometimes (actually, all the time), it helps to organize ideas into a framework.

Note: Our discussion is hyper-focused on the undergraduate missions of top schools. We purposely excluded research, which is a large part of a university’s mission. Research tends to be a component of graduate school programs, which have different standards and expectations than undergraduate programs.

Education by Peers is the Secret Sauce

In the framework above, we highlight the important distinction between education INSIDE the classroom and education OUTSIDE the classroom.

Education inside the classroom is what we typically think about when we think of the classic definition of “education.”

Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist and professor at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, argues that each person possesses a unique configuration of multiple types of intelligence :

• Logical-Mathematical
• Bodily-Kinesthetic
• Intrapersonal
• Interpersonal

The classroom typically focuses on developing the logical and linguistic intelligences (although there is certainly overlap with the other types of intelligences).

However, outside of the classroom is where you typically develop the many other types of intelligences, through interaction with people and extracurricular activities.

The campus community brings together a diverse group of peers. Through interactions with peers, you will enhance your interpersonal abilities (a.k.a. social/emotional intelligence). You will also be exposed to the highest levels of other types of intelligence. You and your peers will teach, challenge, and push each other.

Colleges cannot create this community on their own. They provide the buildings and faculty, but they need great students to fill those buildings.

Selective Admissions is Necessary for Top Colleges

The value of the peer community is 100% dependent on the quality of students, and this is why admissions is so important for a college.

Administrators put tremendous effort into attracting and retaining the “best and brightest.”

Schools state in their mission statements that they “produce leaders” and “develop” and “transform” students. This is true, but a little misleading.

Renowned economists Alan Krueger and Stacy Dale cite a conclusion from Shane Hunt’s “seminal” research:

“The C student from Princeton earns more than the A student from Podunk not mainly because he has the prestige of a Princeton degree, but merely because he is abler. The golden touch is possessed not by the Ivy League College, but by its students.”

In other words…

Top schools pre-select students, through highly selective admissions, who demonstrate the potential to achieve greatness. Selective schools don’t find rocks and turn them into diamonds. They polish diamonds into shinier diamonds.

In sum, all of this research leads to the Golden Rule of Admissions and 3 Pillars of Successful Applicants.

If there is only one thing you take away from this post , this is it!

Jeff Brenzel, former Dean of Admissions from Yale, sums up our findings pretty well in Yale Alumni Magazine :

“At the same time, we do not admit undergraduates primarily in order to create the next generation of scholars and investigators, though we know that some of our undergraduates will choose these paths and go on to great intellectual distinction…

In undergraduate admissions, however, we must also keep before us Yale’s longstanding aspiration to cultivate responsible citizens and leaders, graduates who will achieve prominence in the founding or management of enterprises, in public service and public office, in the professions, or in the realms of religion, the arts, and education.

By ‘leaders’ I do not mean individuals who succeed merely in achieving high status or high income. To develop leaders means to nurture individuals with superb skills for collaboration, an orientation to service, high levels of creative energy, and the aspirations and character required to make substantive contributions to the common good. Our mandate is to send talented, courageous, and far-sighted people into the global endeavors, organizations, and communities that sorely need them.”

“Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” – Joe Biden

Through their mission statements, universities tell us what is important to them. But do their actions back up their words?

After reviewing the 2016 financial statements of the same 32 schools in our analysis of mission statements, we can confirm that, yes, universities absolutely mean what they say in their mission statements.

Additionally, our findings corroborate the Golden Rule of Admissions that we derived in the previous section.

Below is a summary of our main financial takeaways.

Takeaway #1 – Higher education is not cheap

“Excellence cannot be bought, but it must be paid for.” – Princeton Professor and Nobel Laureate, Val Fitch

The 10 liberal arts colleges in our study averaged $175 million dollars in operating expenses in 2016. The 22 much larger national universities averaged $2.2 billion dollars of operating expenses. Stanford University topped our list at $4.9 billion dollars!

Takeaway #2 – Donations & endowment distributions fund a large percentage of school expenses

Donations (private gifts, contracts, and grants) & endowment distributions make up an average of ~30% of the operating budget for the national universities in our study, and ~50% of the operating budget for the liberal arts colleges.

11 of the 32 schools analyzed depend on donations & endowment distributions to cover more than 40% of their budget.

While we only have one public university in our study (UC Berkeley), it is important to note that public universities also rely on state and federal aid.

Takeaway #3 – Therefore, alumni giving is an important priority for schools

Bowdoin College’s mission statement explicitly lays out this expectation:

“Succeeding generations of members of the College must carry the costs of their own enjoyment of its benefits; as alumni they remain a part of Bowdoin, assuming responsibility for renewing the endowments and buildings that will keep Bowdoin a vital, growing educational force for future generations of students and faculty.”

Takeaway #4 – Universities must select applicants of exceptional potential in order to ensure financial stability

Exceptional students have a higher chance of achieving financial success. This means they have a greater ability to potentially give back to their alma mater.

Colleges look for students of exceptional potential who will become successful leaders (our Golden Rule), not only to satisfy their social mission, but also to ensure their financial stability.

What Colleges Discuss Behind the Scenes

Through mission statements, schools tell us what is important to them. Financial statements confirm these public declarations by showing us what is important to them.

The third and last piece of the puzzle in this study looks at other school priorities, typically called “institutional priorities.”

These are less public and you have to dig a little deeper to find them. Schools acknowledge these priorities yet rarely publicize them.

Robin Mamlet is a former dean of admission at Stanford, Swarthmore, and Sarah Lawrence. Her book College Admission, from Application to Acceptance, Step by Step , co-authored by journalist Christine Vandevelde, explains that:

“Institutional Priorities” are the strategic needs of a school as it considers whom to admit. For example, one year a school may seek tenors, female engineers, fullbacks, or geographic diversity. Institutional priorities can change from year to year, though some may carry over.

Institutional priorities are set by the president and board of trustees, sometimes with input from faculty and other parts of the university (e.g. athletics, arts). Some of these priorities also make it into mission statements as well (e.g. diversity).

Examples of institutional priorities:

• Legacies – children of of alumni
• Faculty – children of faculty members
• Development – children of big-money donors
• VIPs – children of famous people and well-connected/influential people
• Exceptional Talent – superstar athletes, artists, musicians
• Diversity – ethnic/cultural, socioeconomic (especially first-generation students), geographic (both domestically, and internationally)
• Departmental/Programmatic Needs – for example, female computer scientists

Institutional priorities are sometimes also referred to as “tags” or “hooks” because they help meet institutional needs and increase your chances of admission.

What Can We Do About Institutional Priorities?

You can’t change your ethnicity, where your parents went to school, or whether your family name is on one of the university’s buildings.

Every school has different institutional priorities. This explains why you might get rejected from one school but get accepted into an equally difficult peer school.

Focus not on the specific school you wish to attend, but on the traits that will make you most successful in life, and the college stuff will fall in place.

Jeff Brenzel, former Dean of Admissions from Yale, confirms this thinking in a New York Times Q&A :

Every college aims at putting together a diverse and interesting class, and colleges differ greatly in their institutional priorities. Accomplished students with high aspirations will find a welcome at a broad range and a large number of excellent colleges. Further, it matters far less exactly which of those colleges they attend than it matters how prepared they are to engage the world of opportunities available at any strong college.

The College Application In A Nutshell

Colleges make predictions about your future leadership potential based on what you’ve done in the past.

The college application is simply a tool for admissions officers to gather information to evaluate your academic achievement, extracurricular distinction, and character.

The tools may differ (e.g. common app vs. universal college app  vs. coalition app ) or even change over time, but the admissions criteria and guiding principles we covered earlier will not.

How Do I Use All This Information?

The purpose of this piece is to educate you on essential background information about colleges and admissions:

• To help you understand what admissions officers at top schools are looking for and why
• So you can critically evaluate information about the admissions process within a framework
• To re-frame your perspective and help you focus on what is most important

These understandings will save you hours of time and help you make better, more informed decisions.

In the frenzy of college preparation admissions, we sometimes get laser-focused on the individual components of the college application – grades, test scores, activities, essays , interviews, etc.

It’s important every now and then to step back, breathe, and reflect.

How do your efforts align with the qualities that are most sought after by schools – academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, and character? Remember that a large component of character involves helping others.

Fortunately, these qualities also translate into real-world success.

YOU – your skills, your talent, your character – are the main determinant of your success, not the college you attend.

Aim to be the best version of yourself while making an impact on others and you’ll be setting yourself up for success in school and beyond.

Get A Behind-the-Scenes Look at College Admissions

Now you have a deep understanding of what admissions officers at selective colleges are looking for. What’s next? Check out how admissions officers actually read your application , if you haven’t done so already, or our How I Got Into Princeton Series , which provides additional insight into how other successful students have done this.

You can also get download our Behind-the-Scenes Look at College Admissions, which analyzes admission officer feedback for two actual Columbia College applications.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• A Behind-the-Scenes Look at 2 actual Columbia College applications
• The admission officer and interviewer feedback for both
• The admission decisions for both
• Our takeaways and recommended next steps

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Greg Wong and Kevin Wong

Greg and Kevin are brothers and the co-founders of PrepMaven and Princeton Tutoring. They were engineering majors at Princeton and had successful careers in strategy consulting and finance. They now apply their data and research-backed problem solving skills to the college preparation process. Their unique approach places a heavy emphasis on personal development, character, and service as key components of college admissions success.

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What Are College Admissions Officers Looking For in the Application Essay?

by Carol Barash, PhD, Founder and CEO of Story To College

Between 2005 and 2011, the number of applications the average admissions officer was responsible for reading went from 359 to 622. To distinguish between many students who have strong grades and test scores, admissions officers rely on the application essay–while they simultaneously have less time to review each student’s work.

In our conversations with college admissions officers–from schools including Yale, Rochester, and Brandeis–Story To College has discovered a major gap between what colleges look for in applications and what students most often reveal. Here are our takeaways on what colleges are looking for in an applicant’s personal essay (sometimes it’s also called a “personal statement”):

1. A unique perspective

Students live in a world where “achievement trumps character,” according to Jon Burdick, Dean of Undergraduate Admission at the University of Rochester. Panelists at the College Board Forum in 2012 agreed, referencing recent cheating scandals at top high schools and colleges (Stuyvesant, Harvard) and their echoes in the news from business, finance, and journalism.

College admissions, on the other hand, is all about character–especially integrity. Colleges look for young people who work with a sense of purpose and commitment, not the student who does generalized “community service.” They look for students who have persevered through adversity, rather than people who make excuses or who expect other people to solve life’s problems for them.

Admissions officers look for students whose essays reveal their character and perspective through their real experiences, not contrived situations.

2. Authentic voice

Admissions officers say most essays they read are safe, generic and do nothing to make them remember or want to advocate for the students who wrote them. Admissions readers seek authenticity in students’ essays, the one place where they can hear students speak in their own voice.

Most students, however, fail to leave an impression–or worse, leave the impression that someone else wrote the essay for them.  “We react negatively to anything that sounds 42 and packaged,” said Marcia Landesman, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale. Colleges are looking for students who are authentic and real; no one else can do that work for them.

It is more important that a college application essay sound like the applicant than the writing be polished like a critical essay in school.

3. Strong writing

Admissions officers do read for writing quality. Application essays should be error-free examples of the student’s best work. The consensus among admissions officers is that most students don’t spend enough time on their essays to make a real impact.

Successful college admission and scholarship essays are stories, not arguments. When we pushed admissions officers on what they meant by “strong writing” in our round-table, they revealed that they didn’t mean a slick, polished style. They said, “a compelling story.” The neuroscience of storytelling teaches us that if you can reveal your character through a compelling narrative, admissions officers form stronger connections with you through your writing.

Story To College draws on the neuroscience of storytelling to teach students how to write essays that admissions readers remember. Their courses and coaching are built around the Story To College Moments Method®, a revolutionary neuroscience- and performance-based curriculum designed to dramatically expand students’ writing and speaking mastery. To learn more, visit their website, storytocollege.com .

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