Your college application essay or personal statement is your one opportunity to introduce yourself to the admission board, and put a voice to your test scores and GPA. Writing a self-reflective deeply personal essay can be trying. What do college admissions officers really look for?

Can you write?

Fundamentally the essay should serve to show your writing skills. Writing is an essential part of college courses, and the application essay allows admissions officers to see if you will be able to meet the demands of the writing curriculum at their school. Your essay should be well organized and properly formatted, and free of grammar and spelling mistakes. Thoroughly proofread – don’t just spellcheck.

What will you bring to the college community?

This essay serves as a means to show what you can contribute to the college. Admissions officers want to see you as an active contributing member of your community. This doesn’t mean you need to have 1000 community service hours. A unique genuine interest in the arts, a sport or activity all serve to highlight something you can contribute to the campus.

Personal Reflection

To allow us to get to know you, your essay should include personal reflection. While the other areas of your application will speak to the breadth of your extracurricular activities, the essay should focus on revealing depth in one area. Write a genuine thoughtful answer to the prompt showcasing what motivates you and why. Be compelling.

When writing your essay, start early, be yourself, be honest, take a risk and keep focused.