"A good essay to me, in general, is one where I learn something about the student that I wouldn't learn elsewhere in the application," says Monica Inzer, vice president for enrollment management at Hamilton College in New York.
Many college applications involve an essay, or personal statement. Applications will provide one or more prompts for the student to interpret and apply to their own experiences. There is a wide variety of tools available to help students with their essay writing ranging from online tips to personal college essay coaches. Your College and Career Center Coordinators are happy to provide materials and tips and/or work with students from start to finish in creating the best piece to show admissions counselors who they are and how they'll contribute to the university.
Counselors review how to use Naviance, the Common Application (Common App) and where to go if they have questions.
Many college applications involve an essay, or personal statement. Applications will provide one or more prompts for the student to interpret and apply to their own experiences. There is a wide variety of tools available to help students with their essay writing ranging from online tips to personal college essay coaches. Your College and Career Center Coordinators are happy to provide materials and tips and/or work with students from start to finish in creating the best piece to show admissions counselors who they are and how they'll contribute to the university.
Counselors review how to use Naviance, the Common Application (Common App) and where to go if they have questions.
Common App essay prompts for 2023-2024
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- 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?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that 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?
- 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 to write a great college essay and personal statement
PERSONAL STATEMENT TIPS
Don’t spend too much time stressing about what prompt to pick! You got this!
Colleges are interested in:
Consider being vulnerable
Use examples!
Ending your statement
MAIN ESSAY TIPS
You want to say a lot about yourself by describing a single story
Be thoughtful, genuine, concise, coherent, and honest
Highlight qualities that show your awesomeness!
ALWAYS Have someone review your work!
A GREAT ESSAY INCLUDES
Don’t spend too much time stressing about what prompt to pick! You got this!
Colleges are interested in:
- Can you write?
- What are you going to add to their university?
Consider being vulnerable
- You want the reader to feel closer to who you are after they read your statement
- You could reveal something about yourself (mistakes, family stories, adversity)
- Geek out on something you are passionate about!
- Give insight to who you are as an individual
- Do you pay close attention to detail? Are you creative?
- Do you go with the flow?
- Giving insight demonstrates a critical thinker!
Use examples!
- Examples demonstrate writing ability
Ending your statement
- Make sure the ending of your statement isn’t super surprising, but something that they could see coming the longer they read (inevitable)!
MAIN ESSAY TIPS
You want to say a lot about yourself by describing a single story
- Tell a story that draws us into you who are as a person
- Personal strengths/weaknesses
Be thoughtful, genuine, concise, coherent, and honest
- Use the power of narrative to shine a light on your unique qualities
- What you write is evidence about you!
Highlight qualities that show your awesomeness!
- What are you values? Why are they important to you?
- What is YOUR “wow” factor?
- Show your sense of vision
- What impact do you want to make in the world?
- What adverse things have you dealt with that has changed your life vision?
ALWAYS Have someone review your work!
A GREAT ESSAY INCLUDES
- A captivating hook
- A focused topic
- An organized structure
- Is personal yet has an appropriate tone
- Is sincere and authentic
- Proper grammar and spelling