Can my college essay stand out from other applications, and what should I do?
Write a few drafts and edit with a fresh mind, be authentic about what you learned and how you grew, use specific details to describe experiences, and ask a family member, teacher or friend for feedback before you submit. Be ready to make changes based on their comments.
You can make your college essay stand out by treating it as a process, not a single sitting. Drafting, honesty, detail and feedback each play a part.
Four Ways to Stand Out
| Tip | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Write a few drafts | Write freely first without worrying about word count, then edit with a fresh mind and cut what you can |
| Be authentic | Show who you are, what you learned from a situation and how you grew |
| Be specific | Use details and specific adjectives to describe the action and scene |
| Ask for feedback | Have a family member, teacher or friend read the final draft and be ready to change it |
Why This Works
Free writing in the rough draft phase can help you find new ideas or expand existing ones, and editing afterwards sharpens them.
My Advice
Start early so you have time for at least a few drafts and a feedback round. Check each college's essay prompt and word limit on its official page before you finalize.
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