College applications aren't exactly a good time. You've got to compile all kinds of paperwork, collect report cards and SAT test scores, fill out tedious information, and check endless boxes — and then there's the college admissions essay.
For a lot of students, this is truly the worst part of the process. There's the pressure to be creative and unique without going too far off the rails. A great essay can help you land a coveted spot at the school of your dreams. A bad one can have you going viral on Reddit's roundup of the worst essays of all time. Big nope.
How can you avoid this nightmare and craft an essay that will get your foot in the door? It will take some practice. Luckily, we've got some hacks to help make the process easier.
Read on for formatting, structure, and writing tips, plus some pointers on drafting a great college essay that makes the admissions committee take notice.
Primary formats for college admissions essays
Yes, you want your personal essay to stand out to the admissions committee. But you want it to stand out for the RIGHT reasons, like your unique perspective — not for the wrong reasons, like cringe-worthy formatting.
Start with the basics. Read the school's guidelines for essay formatting. Does the school request a certain font type, font size, or paragraph spacing (like single line spacing versus double spacing)?
Adhering to a style guide is also important to keep your essay consistent (if the school requests a certain style guide, use that one). Your options include:
- APA. Fields like education, the sciences, and psychology generally use the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide. For APA style, use a standard font like 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Arial and double spacing. Set one-inch margins for the page and indent every new paragraph one-half inch. For major headings, use title case; for subheadings, use sentence case.
- MLA. Humanities faculties typically use the Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide. For MLA style, you should also use a basic font like Times New Roman 12-point, apply double line spacing, set one-inch page margins, and indent every new paragraph one-half inch. Use title case for headings. Add your last name and page number to the top right-hand side of every page.
- Chicago. Fine arts, history, and business fields typically use the Chicago or Turabian style guide. For Chicago style, use a standard font like 12-point Times New Roman and double line spacing. Make your margins at least one inch, although they can be larger. As with MLA and APA formats, indent every new paragraph one-half inch. Include page numbers at the top right or bottom center.
In general, avoid fancy formatting like italics or bold type. Keep it simple and stick to any specific guidelines the college provides. Different schools have different admission requirements and processes (psst, learn about your options when it comes to schools).
How to structure a college admissions essay
The standard college application essay format consists of five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Here's how to assemble each component of your personal statement and some tips on what admissions officers look for in each part.
How to craft an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention
The essay structure starts with the introduction. Your introduction should have a hook that grabs the reader's attention, like a unique fact or anecdote. Use your own one-of-a-kind voice — don't rely on a quote from some famous figure in your essay intro. It's a corny trick, plus it means your voice is lost because you're immediately introducing someone else's voice.
Don't just state the topic in your intro — give your readers a promise. What question will you answer, or what revelation will you make in the coming paragraphs? By the essay's end, you should have delivered on this promise and unveiled that answer or revelatory moment. Leave the reader wondering so they want to keep reading.
Let's say you're writing an essay about a moment of personal growth, for example. You might start by introducing the life experience that led to your personal growth — let's say you went on a rugged outdoor adventure trip that pushed you to your limits. You want your intro to leave the reader wondering, "How did that make you grow? What happened on that trip, and what was the result?"
How to write compelling body paragraphs
The body paragraphs are the meat of your essay. Devote one point to each paragraph — these three points should support the main point. That said, this shouldn't read like a list of bullet points. Create a flow between your paragraphs using transition words and phrases, like “finally,” “further,” “besides,” “again,” “moreover,” and “in addition.” Try to avoid “first,” “second,” and “third” for something slightly more advanced.
Each of these paragraphs should take you a step closer to answering the question you posed in your opening. If your intro had your reader wondering how a certain experience helped you grow, answer that in your body paragraphs.
Here's the key: Show, don't tell! If you're talking about how your rugged outdoor adventure taught you that you can rely on yourself, don't say that. Show it! Describe how you struggled to build a fire that first night. Write about finding food to eat. Discuss building a shelter. Get descriptive.
How to leave the reader wanting more in your conclusion
The conclusion is where you wrap things up with a pretty little (metaphorical) bow. This is where you deliver on the promise you set up in the introduction. Continuing with the example we've used so far, this is the point where you articulate how your adventure trip made you grow.
You might explain that the trip helped you discover your self-sufficiency (you made a fire, found food, and constructed a shelter on your own?!). Dig a little deeper and talk about what that discovery meant for you. You're the main character in this story, and your reader wants to see some development.
By the end, the conclusion should answer your introductory question and summarize your body paragraphs. Ideally, you'll end with an inspiring or thought-provoking sentence that keeps the reader interested. You want these college admissions officers to want more from you. When they put your essay down, they should want to keep talking to you.
College admissions essay FAQs
How long should my college essay be?
Some college essays may have a pre-set word count (e.g., 250 to 600 words), and others may leave the length of your essay open-ended. If there isn't a word limit to go by, it's up to you. For more complicated essay prompts, you may need more words to develop your main point. That said, we really don't recommend writing more than 600 words. Admissions officers read a LOT of these!
Should I use a formal or informal tone in my essay?
Some essay topics are more generalized and others are more personal. A more informal tone may be appropriate if you're sharing a personal anecdote. However, avoid using slang or getting too intimate. The essay is part of the formal application process, which you might compare to a job interview. If it's not something you'd say or share in a face-to-face interview, it doesn't have a place in your essay writing!
How do I make my essay stand out from others?
A unique voice and perspective are the best ways a high school student can stand out in their admissions essay. Leave plenty of time for brainstorming ideas. Focus on what makes you stand out from other peers in your class. Is it your unique background? A one-of-a-kind experience? A special dream you're pursuing? If the school provides a pre-baked topic, consider out-of-the-box ways to approach it.
Who should proofread my essay?
Real talk: Your first draft won't be perfect. You'll want to go back and revise it, checking for everything from flow (do your ideas make sense in the order they're in?) to typos and grammatical issues. Once you think it's perfect, STOP! Get someone else to read it before submitting it. Ask parents, friends, teachers, or guidance counselors to take a look, as they may pick up on clarity, grammar, or typo issues that you missed.
Need help finding the best school for you? Use College Rover
Telling a good story in your admissions essay is just one hurdle to clear before getting into your dream school. There's also the rest of your application to think about. College Rover is here to help you every step of the way.
We've got the resources to help with picking schools, going on tours, completing applications, and more. Log in to get started.
