The college admissions process has changed dramatically over the last two decades, when I began my work in admissions at UCLA.
Admissions offices at highly selective colleges and universities are now looking more closely at the “subjective” areas of the applicant including their leadership qualities, their intellectual curiosity, sustained involvement in activities, letters of recommendation, and of course, the personal essays.
As with most good writing, there are several important factors that tend to draw the reader in more than others. And if you are submitting personal essays to any selective colleges and universities this year, you should definitely consider these factors as you sit down to write.
- Authentic Voice – What you have to say about your own life experiences, academic objectives, extracurricular activities, your community, your generation, your world, is what is most interesting to admissions readers. Speak from your heart, say what you mean and use your authentic voice in your writing. Trust that you are enough.
- Unique Quality – Colleges are looking for applicants who will add to the overall balance of their student communities. For example, a scholar athlete who juggles or a young scientist who loves poetry, are unique individual qualities that may offer an admissions team a fresh perspective on who you are. These qualities will help your readers remember you when they make admissions decisions. Conveying these qualities effectively in your essay will help you stand out. Come on, you know you’re special!
- Well-Edited – Each essay you write should be edited at least three times before submitting to colleges. Read your essay out loud to yourself at home and listen for content, for flow, for grammar, and for your “voice.” Then sit down and make your changes. The more you write, the more comfortable you will be with edits and letting go of the pieces that just don’t work for your essay.
For more information on writing effective college essays, here are some additional resources.
NACAC’s Ten Top Tips for Writing the College Essay
