Love it or hate it, the college essay is a crucial component of a college application. It is the opportunity for students to show their authentic selves and to set themselves apart from the pack. In the case of highly competitive schools, the college essay can be the deciding factor… and that can be daunting. We turned to Tracy Geary, owner of A Plus Essay Advantage, for advice on the writing process and how to know when it is time to enlist the help of a college essay coach.
Q: The most difficult part for many students is figuring out what to write about. Do you have any go-to brainstorming methods or specific prompts you recommend that will help in finding a personal story that is compelling and relevant?
Finding the right topic is critical to being remembered by the college admissions officer reviewing your application. There are several brain-storming methods that I use depending on the particular student and the story they want to tell. This essay is the only place in the entire application to show who you are and what you care about, so the goal is to find the best story that will help you stand out from all the other applicants.
Q: Can you offer some insight into what admissions officers are really looking for when they read a student’s essay? What makes an essay stand out in a positive way?
You have to remember that all the students applying for admission have good grades and standardized test scores. Being strong in those areas doesn’t make a student stand out from the crowd. Admissions officers are looking to connect with each applicant, so authenticity, a unique perspective, evidence of character, strong writing skills, and self-reflection are key aspects of the best essays. To make your essay stand out, include vivid and engaging details that will help the reader see who you are as a person. You want them to choose you over someone else, which they are more likely to do if they feel a personal connection to you.
Q: Beyond the main Common App essay, many schools require supplemental essays. What’s your advice for tackling these shorter essays? Is it acceptable to revisit a story or topic from the main essay, or should they focus on a different topic?
Supplemental essays work hand-in-hand with the main essay to reveal your personality and experiences and must be crafted with thoughtful responses geared specifically to each particular school. Be sure to show your genuine interest and commitment, and how your unique qualities will be an asset to the campus community. Never mention a school’s beautiful campus; all schools think they have a beautiful campus!
Q: Can you speak to the importance of enlisting a second set of eyes to proofread the essay?
The college admission essay is a very different genre from the expository and argumentative essays with which most high school seniors are familiar. This is why having a coach who has experience working in college admissions is so beneficial. They provide more than just proofreading, they can ensure that the essay topic is appropriate and engages the reader.
Q: October is crunch time for those looking to apply Early Action or Early Decision. What advice do you have for those who have put the essay off until the last minute, and is it too late to get help from a professional?
There has been a great deal of interest in recent years about applying to colleges via Early Action, but the benefits of this approach are very much in debate. While applying early can be a good idea if a student has everything fully prepared, it’s a mistake to submit in an application with essays you’ve rushed to finish just in order to make an early deadline. You should only submit your very best work, and the standard admissions deadline is still a very valid time to have your application in front of the admissions office. Whatever deadline the student chooses to work towards, it’s never too late in the process to get help from a professional.
To learn more about the Common App essay prompts, visit commonapp.org/apply/essay-prompts.