With the written word, it’s about the destination as much as it is the journey. Your concluding thoughts can be the culmination and callback to your most profound statements. It can also be a landmine of cliches that blow up your chances of getting into a great college.
Admissions counselors are probably just as bored with the application process as you are of essay writing, so we’re going to give you some ways to use your words to stand out and get on that college campus. Leaving a lasting impression can be the saving grace that sets you apart from your competition with admissions officers. That’s why the conclusion of your college application essay should leave a strong, enticing impression of who you are.
Let’s get to the point and give you the answers on how to effectively end your essays.
The goal of a college essay conclusion
This isn’t any old common application; this is a culmination of your high school endeavors, replete with all the gems of your hard-earned knowledge and extracurriculars.
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s understand the purpose of your conclusion. You want to make the reader reflect on how powerfully they were just moved by your words. Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay, provide a sense of completeness, and leave a memorable mark on the reader.
As you’re formatting and proofreading your first draft, get an idea of what you really want your final sentences to say about you. Think of this as the grand finale of your personal statement, where you leave the admissions committee nodding earnestly and thinking, “This applicant is impressive!”
5 Tips for a strong college essay conclusion
There isn’t any perfect formula, so don’t waste time searching for it. Use these strategies wisely, and remember to infuse your unique personality and voice throughout your essay.
Let’s roll out some ways for you to finish your thoughts and leave the admissions committee wanting more.
Connect to the intro paragraph (Full circle ending)
Consider revisiting your introduction in your conclusion, creating a sense of cohesion. When you demonstrate your ability to craft a well-rounded narrative, it gives you a chance to reflect on how far you’ve come.
It’s a great way to leave the reader with a satisfying sense of closure and bring them closer to your unique position. It’s like a cinematic masterpiece, leaving them feeling satisfied and fulfilled but without the dramatic music.
Explain the lesson learned
Colleges are one place that greatly values personal growth and self-reflection. Use your conclusion to share insights gained from your experiences. Discuss how challenges have shaped your character and demonstrate your ability to adapt and learn.
By highlighting the lessons you’ve learned, you show maturity and resilience, leaving a lasting impression on your reader. You’ve done a great job, you’ve come a long way, show it off in your college admissions essay. The challenges that have shaped your character make you a valuable asset, so show them that.
End with action to leave the reader wanting more
You should want to leave a lingering impact by concluding with a call to action or a thought-provoking question in your last paragraph. Encourage your reader to contemplate the broader implications of your essay or consider how they can contribute to the topic you’ve discussed.
Leave them engaged and curious, eager to learn more about your ideas and perspectives. You either want to leave them pondering on the implications of your essay or considering how they can contribute to your topic.
The “image of the future” conclusion strategy
Invite the reader into your vision of the future by sharing your aspirations and how they align with the college you’re applying to. Paint a compelling picture of how the institution will support your goals and help you make a meaningful impact in your community.
This isn’t about how it’s going to be but about what you are going to do. By demonstrating your forward-thinking mindset, you showcase your determination and ambition. Think about how many essays admissions officers are reading and bring out something special.
Directly address the reader
Establish a personal connection! By directly addressing the reader in your conclusion, you acknowledge their role in the admissions process and the reason we’re all here in the first place.
You’re creating a sense of rapport and expressing enthusiasm for joining their beloved institution. Show that you’re genuinely interested in being a part of their academic community.
What kinds of ideas do you bring to the table? How can you add to the school’s reputation? Just tell them straight up, without fanfare or guile, and make them feel like they’re having a conversation.
What to avoid in your college essay conclusion
We’ve gone over a few ways to help you leave a strong impression with your concluding thoughts. But, as you’ve no doubt learned from your parents by now, it’s what you don’t do as much as what you actually do that matters.
Avoid the obstacles many of your peers get hung up on, and you’ll be ahead of the game and one step closer to your dream school. To ensure your essay’s effectiveness, be sure to steer clear of these common issues:
- Cliches. Avoid using overused phrases or generic statements that lack originality. Admissions officers appreciate fresh and authentic perspectives. Using these phrases in your essay can be a real buzzkill for your argument. It's like hitting the pause button and interrupting the flow of your thoughts. Trust me, you don't want to lose the attention of your reader like that because you’re going to have a hard time getting it back.
- Summarizing. This isn’t your grandpa’s admissions essay. You don’t need to sum up what’s already been written. Saying things like “in conclusion” or “to sum it up” is a terrible way to remind the reader that you’ve got nothing to say. Just like with any social media post, the rules are pretty simple here: don’t be boring. Regurgitating what you’ve already said will come off as lazy and uninspiring. End your essay on a high note, leave them with a punchy call to action or share your exciting goals. Show them you’re ready to take on the world!
- Don’t state the obvious. They know you want to get in. You don’t need to say it. Just get yourself quickly to the point and end it.
- No new information. The conclusion is not the place to introduce new ideas or arguments. Sometimes a stroke of brilliance might hit you just as you’re pounding out paragraph after paragraph at 4 AM, and you feel you just have to include it. Don’t include your delirious revelations, just finish your thoughts and get out.
- Forget the famous quote. Ben Franklin had loads of zingers you can steal. But recycled words from other people aren’t what college admissions officers are looking for; they’re looking for a glimpse of you. Unless you’ve uncovered a saying from a respected figure that’s closely tied to the school you’re applying to, ditch the quotes altogether.
- Don’t be needy. Begging for admission is a terrible idea. Instead, focus on demonstrating who you are as an individual, what kinds of dynamic abilities you bring, and what you plan to do moving forward. Highlight your growth and evolution and focus on all you’ve learned to get you to this point.
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Now, let’s do a quick recap: Steer clear of cliches, keep it concise and focused, and avoid any new information dumps you might be considering. Don’t confuse or overwhelm the admissions officers, bring them in with your charm and wit.
If you’re running low on charm and wit, then there are tools and resources available to help shore up any literary weaknesses you’re worried about. And don’t stress over it too much. With the written word, the journey is as important as the destination.
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