Writing essays that actually work
How to find your story and tell it without sounding like everyone else
The real purpose of the essay
Admissions officers already have your transcript, test scores, and activities list. The essay answers one question: Who are you when you're not being evaluated?
It's not about impressing anyone. It's about being specific enough that they remember you.
What works
Small stories beat big themes
The best essays aren't about winning championships or traveling to developing countries. They're about the small moments that reveal how you think.
The Guatemala essay could be written by anyone. The semicolon essay could only be written by you.
Specificity is everything
Vague essays disappear. Specific ones stick.
Marcus is memorable. "Helping others" is wallpaper.
Voice matters more than vocabulary
Don't write like you think a college student should write. Write like you actually talk (minus the filler words). Admissions officers can tell when you're performing.
If you wouldn't say "utilize" in conversation, don't write it in your essay.
The common mistakes
The résumé essay
Don't list your accomplishments in paragraph form. They already have your activities list. The essay should show something that list can't.
The trauma dump
Difficult experiences can make powerful essays, but only if you focus on your response and growth, not the pain itself. If the hardest part of writing the essay is reliving it, it might not be the right topic yet.
The thesaurus essay
Big words don't equal intelligence. Clear thinking does. "I realized" beats "I came to the profound realization."
The lesson essay
Every essay doesn't need a moral. "And that's when I learned that hard work pays off" lands with a thud. Trust your reader to get it.
The "change the world" essay
You're 17. You don't need to have solved climate change. You need to be interesting and self-aware.
Finding your topic
Start with specifics, not themes
Don't start with "I want to write about perseverance." Start with: - A moment you remember vividly - Something you could talk about for 20 minutes - A weird habit or interest you've never explained - A time you changed your mind about something
The "only I could write this" test
After you write a draft, ask: Could someone else submit this essay with their name on it? If yes, dig deeper.
Topics that work (with the right angle)
- A hobby that reveals how you think
- A relationship that shaped you (but make it about you, not them)
- A failure and what you did after
- Something you care about that most people don't notice
- Sports victories (unless it's really about something else)
- The college trip that made you want to go there
- How much you love your parents (sweet, not distinctive)
- Anything where the main character is someone other than you
Structure
You don't need a gimmick
No need to write in second person or structure it as a recipe. Gimmicks are a gamble. Clear storytelling is not.
One structure that works
- Start in a moment (not "I've always been interested in…")
- Zoom out to give context
- Develop the idea or story
- Land somewhere that shows growth, insight, or self-awareness
Length
Use what you're given. If it says 650 words, you can go to 650. You don't get points for being short. You also don't get points for padding.
The supplemental essays
"Why this school?"
They want to know you've done your homework. Mention specific programs, professors, opportunities, or traditions. Don't say anything that could apply to any school.
This is where your college research pays off. If you researched the school properly, this essay writes itself.
"Why this major?"
Connect your interest to something specific in your life. When did you first care about this? What have you done about it?
Short answers
Be direct. If they give you 100 words, don't spend 40 on setup. Get to the point.
Editing
Read it out loud
If you stumble over a sentence, rewrite it.
Cut the first paragraph
Most first drafts start with throat-clearing. The real essay often starts in paragraph two.
Get feedback from people who will be honest
Not people who will tell you it's great. Find someone who will say "I don't understand what you mean here" or "this part is boring."
Know when to stop
After 5-6 drafts, you're probably making it worse, not better. Diminishing returns are real.
The connection to recommendations
Your essay is your voice. Your letters of recommendation are other voices talking about you. Together, they should paint a consistent picture from different angles.
If your essay is about your love of debate, a rec letter from your debate coach adds depth. If your essay mentions struggling in a class and improving, a letter from that teacher confirming it adds credibility.
Think about how these pieces fit together.
Working on essays with help
Some students write great essays on their own. Others benefit from structured feedback.
If you're staring at a blank page, or you have a draft but aren't sure if it's working, outside feedback can help. The trick is finding someone who'll be honest rather than nice.
That's part of what counseling can offer-not writing your essay for you, but helping you figure out which of your stories is worth telling and whether you're telling it well.
The short version
Write something only you could write. Be specific. Sound like yourself. Cut the parts that sound like everyone else.
The goal isn't to impress. It's to be remembered.
Want feedback on your essays? Book a consultation to work through them together.