The college essay is one of the most important parts of a student’s application. It offers admissions officers a glimpse into your child’s personality, experiences, and values—beyond grades and test scores. While the process can feel overwhelming, breaking it down into manageable steps can help students create a compelling, authentic essay.

Step 1: Understand the Purpose

The essay is your student’s opportunity to showcase who they are, what they care about, and how they think. Admissions officers want to see:

• Authenticity: The essay should reflect your student’s voice, experiences, and perspective.
• Growth: Stories of challenges, lessons learned, or personal growth resonate strongly.
• Fit: The essay should demonstrate why your student is a good match for the school.

Step 2: Choose the Right Topic

Selecting a meaningful topic is critical. Encourage your student to consider:

• Personal experiences that shaped their values or perspective.
• Passions, hobbies, or projects that reveal character.
• Moments of challenge, resilience, or problem-solving.

Tip: Avoid overused topics unless they can be approached in a fresh, personal way. Specificity makes an essay memorable.

Step 3: Brainstorm and Outline

Before writing, have your student brainstorm ideas and jot down key experiences, anecdotes, or reflections. Create a loose outline to organize thoughts:

1. Hook: Capture the reader’s attention in the first few lines.
2. Body: Share a story or example that demonstrates personal qualities or growth.
3. Reflection: Explain why the experience mattered and what was learned.
4. Conclusion: Tie the story to future goals or college aspirations.

Step 4: Write the First Draft

Remind your student that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. The goal is to get ideas down on paper. Encourage freewriting, then revising later.

Tip: Focus on showing, not telling. Instead of saying, “I am determined,” illustrate determination through a story or example.

Step 5: Revise and Edit

Revisions are where essays truly shine. Consider:

• Clarity and flow: Does the essay read smoothly?
• Voice and authenticity: Does it sound like your student?
• Grammar and mechanics: Correct errors, but don’t over-edit so the voice is lost.

It can help to get feedback from teachers, counselors, or trusted family members, but final decisions should remain with the student.

Step 6: Tailor Essays to Each School

If schools require supplemental essays, customize each one to reflect the school’s values, programs, or community. Avoid generic essays; admissions officers can tell when an essay is reused.

Step 7: Final Review

Before submitting, check:

• Word count limits
• Required formatting
• Submission deadlines

Encourage your student to read the essay aloud—it often helps identify awkward phrasing or unclear ideas.

Final Thoughts

The college essay is more than a requirement; it’s a chance for students to tell their story and stand out in a competitive admissions process. With careful planning, brainstorming, and revision, students can craft essays that are authentic, compelling, and memorable.