Reading between the lines: college essay tips and tricks

BY RANIA NASSER
    A blank page sits before a high school student, the white screen empty of words yet full of possibilities. Whatever is written could determine the next few years of their life.
    College applications can be a stressful time for seniors. Starting in the fall, the race to secure teacher recommendations, transcripts, and financial aid can feel daunting. A major aspect of the college 

application process is the essays. The Personal Statement essay, the main essay, is written on Common Application, the platform used to apply to most colleges. College-specific essays use prompts generated by a specific university in which the applicant writes for that particular school. However, with good planning and balance, writing a college essay doesn’t have to be so difficult. ​

College Essay Tip #1: “Starting out is always the hardest part so I like to list out my ideas and thoughts on a blank page. Recount things that are important to you like memories or revelations and how they’ve impacted your growth! Showing growth is also very important!” stated Alex Tenhover. 
 Grades and GPA aren’t necessarily the main focus in a college application. Colleges want to know more about the applicant on a personal level, not just what is on their transcript. Writing about growth can show colleges that despite the slumps along the way, one uses perseverance as their light and learning as their guide. 
College Essay Tip #2: “You have to know, before you write anything, what you want from a college and what a college might want from you. You kind of just have to know about yourself, what you're ambitious and passionate about, as well as what you’ve done and what you hope to do,” stated Adam El-Ramly. 
    Certain factors in a college should be taken into consideration before applying. Finding the right program that is both exciting yet enriching can set you on a path to success in one's desired major. Other factors include college size, the availability of clubs and extracurriculars, and location. 
    College Essay Tip #3: “Find a good story that really explains who you are, and try to flesh that out. You want to start with a story to capture colleges’ attention,” states Douglas Chakrobarty. 
    Not only is an essay characterized by the applicant’s display of their growth, but also on the way the essay is written. Using creative storytelling to connect to personality, growth, and ambitions can showcase to colleges the uniqueness present in an applicant. 

   College Essay Tip #4: “You should know a lot about the colleges you are applying to. Know what major you want to go to, what program you’re gonna do for that major. I feel like it shows more interest and that I know what I’m talking about and that I already have a plan and a vision of myself at that school,” states Douglas Chakrobarty. 
  Researching colleges is an important aspect of the college application process. When writing the essay for specific colleges, incorporating knowledge of that college as well as demonstrating interest can show advisors that an applicant envisions themselves at that school and hopes to make an impact through the college’s resources and learning experience. 
College Essay Tip #5: “Make sure you’re connecting abstract ideals and ideas to concrete moments in your life and parts of the school. I mean that you shouldn’t just talk about what you believe in, or just tell your life story, but connect the two together in an interesting way that supports your thesis. Balancing evidence and commentary, just like in English class,” stated Yotam Ginsberg-Levin. 
Connecting your story with the school’s values can help demonstrate your interest and desire to attend to admissions officers. Showing how you can continue your growth at a university while carrying out its message is crucial, as universities look for students who will not only make use of their resources but also make an impact. 
“Show [colleges] your ambition and who you are. Tell your story,” concludes El-Ramly. 
​