Published: May 29, 2025
The college application process can be a daunting one for high school students. Towards the end of junior year and continuing throughout the beginning of senior year, students must tackle their college essays. The essay is now more significant than ever and, as a result, can often be a source of anxiety. Students are faced with several important questions: Which Common Application prompt should I select? What should I write about that will instantly capture the selection committee’s attention? How do I find ways to be creative and formal at the same time? How can I be innovative without sounding like I’m trying too hard? How do I steer clear of falling into essay traps? In addition to SAT scores, transcripts, and impressive resumes, the essay is an opportunity for students to really make themselves memorable. The college essay writing process does not need to be a stressful one. If students enter into it with the proper set of tools, it can actually be an enjoyable part of the application experience.
How to Approach the Essay
First, it is important to know which essay topics should be avoided. The list includes subjects such as highly personal matters, anything too controversial, or an account of academics and extracurricular activities. Additionally, essays can fall into categories that are thought of as cliches, such as the “confessional”, “the hero justification,” or “the look-back.” And, most importantly, an essay should never ever be a fabrication. Students should not feel that they have to invent a story to captivate their readers. Every student has a story to tell that is authentic, compelling, and insightful. The trick is to find what story that is. Doing that requires time, patience, and drafting. This is precisely why the college essay should not be put off to the last minute.
Before putting pen to paper, students might want to consider The Five Rs:
1) Is the topic an honest REFLECTION of myself?
2) Is it RELEVANT to my life?
3) What would the READABILITY experience be like?
4) Would I want to commit to a thorough REVISION process with this particular essay topic?
5) How would it sound if READ ALOUD?
Taking notes while working on a college essay is essential. Even if those notes are just phrases or keywords, keeping a record of ideas will become extremely important. You never want to forget something! One fragment might evolve into the final essay.
Students should also reach out to people who know them well. Those who know them best can be a great source of knowledge when it comes to selecting a topic. Those people can offer suggestions by reminding students of how interesting their lives have been. Students should not be afraid to ask questions about themselves. Confidence, courage, and conviction are necessary for writing a solid college essay. Trusted people in a student’s life can help them cultivate those skills.
Students should also remember to trust themselves. If they land on an essay topic that they might want to run with, they should listen to their own voices first before sharing too much of their work with others. While it is a must that college essays be read by various individuals already in a student’s life, hearing too many opinions too early on can be confusing. Once a student has a draft, even if it is not “fully cooked,” an essay coach can be an excellent resource. Why? An essay coach reads the work as a neutral outsider with the experience of reading and helping to write many college essays. The coach’s job is to help students navigate through the process and find the best version of the essay while ensuring that the student’s voice maintains its integrity.
How We Can Help
Prep Academy Tutors has experienced college essay writing coaches on hand for students who are seeking guidance with this part of the application process. They can expect individual attention, support, and encouragement. Students can anticipate focused brainstorming and drafting. With the assistance of a coach, they will wind up with a carefully revised essay that speaks to who they are and makes them shine. In-person and online sessions are now available. Prep Academy’s college essay writing coaches work alongside our college admissions advisor, Karen Rozanes. Contact us to learn more about comprehensive college essay writing and college admissions advising with Prep Academy Tutors.
Written by Prep Academy’s college essay writing instructor and teacher, Lydie K.