	Home
	Find Books
	Find Articles
	Search Internet
	Subject Guides
	Library Courses
	About the Library
	Other Libraries
	Ask SAC Library
	FAQ
	Sitemap

College Admission Essay: How to Write It

Writing an essay for a college application is becoming increasingly important as a way to select students for admission into colleges and universities. This guide will provide some essay writing tips as well as list other resources and websites.

What is the purpose of the college application essay?
The college application includes a lot of information about applicants—grades, test scores, lists of extracurricular activities, etc.—but not much personal information. The essay allows the college or university staff an opportunity to find out something about you and whether you will succeed in an academic setting. The essay demonstrates your writing ability, a key component to success in college. Colleges are looking for a mastery of the basic mechanics of writing (grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization). The essay also reflects the maturity of your thinking and writing and your overall readiness for college.

Who is the audience for the college essay?
Your essay will be read by a college admission officer who reads hundreds or thousands of application essays each year. Admission officers generally spend just one to two minutes reading an essay. To capture their interest and distinguish you from other students, it is critical that your essay capture their attention. It is also important that your essay provide an accurate picture of who you are and why you would be a good candidate for college while demonstrating your writing ability.

What types of topics are required for the application essays?

There are generally three types of application topics:

General Topics – “Tell us about yourself” questions

Specific Questions – about a favorite book, a beloved teacher, a life goal, or a

significant experience

Creative questions – questions that require you to reveal your thoughts or opinions

on a topic, such as: Why have you chosen this career or profession? Choose an

issue of personal, local, or international concern and discuss its importance

to you.

Some typical college application questions:

What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised or unsettled or challenged you, and in what way?

What is your favorite word and why?

Reflecting on your family’s experiences and personal circumstances, what would you tell us that is not already revealed or explained sufficiently in your application?

Explain your long-range goals for school, employment, and life. In your essay, describe what specific skills, personal values, and cultural values you want to foster in yourself to achieve these ends.

Tell us about a conversation you had that changed your perspective or has otherwise been meaningful to you.

What should I write about?

If the application asks you to choose a topic to write about and you can’t think of one, here are some suggestions for essays:

Write about an event (local, national, international) that has touched you in a personal way.
Write about a social issue (e.g., gun control, whale protection) that is near and dear to you.
Write about an out-of-classroom interest or hobby not covered to your fullest advantage elsewhere in your application.
Write about an academic subject (e.g., music, literature) that engages you. There may be essay material on courses you have taken.
Write about a person (e.g., parent, grandparent) that has greatly affected your life.

Remember to write about what you know!