Wed, MAR 11, 2026 11:30 AM
A powerful college essay can be the moment an admissions representative becomes your student’s biggest advocate. While grades, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters all matter, the essay is often what brings the application to life. It can also play a major role in securing competitive scholarships.
As college admissions become increasingly competitive, many applicants will have similar GPAs, test scores (if submitted), and activities. When admissions teams are deciding between two strong students, the essay is often the deciding factor. A compelling story can be the difference between an acceptance and a waitlist.
So how can your student write an essay that truly stands out?
1. Start by understanding the prompt.
Before writing anything, students should carefully review the essay prompt and brainstorm several possible stories. The strongest essays usually focus on a meaningful experience, challenge, or moment of growth that reveals the student’s character. Choosing a topic that highlights personal values, resilience, curiosity, or leadership can help admissions officers better understand who the student is beyond their transcript.
2. Focus on storytelling first.
The first draft should prioritize authenticity and storytelling rather than perfection. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, and the ones that stand out feel genuine and personal. Once the story is written, students should revise multiple times; checking for clarity, flow, grammar, punctuation, and word count. Reading the essay out loud is one of the best ways to catch awkward phrasing and ensure the voice sounds natural.
3. Seek feedback, but protect the student’s voice.
Getting feedback from a trusted teacher, mentor, or family member can help strengthen the essay. However, it’s important that the student remains the primary writer. Essays that are overly edited often lose authenticity, and admissions officers can usually tell when a piece no longer sounds like a student’s voice.
4. Be mindful of AI usage.
Many colleges use technology and review processes designed to detect AI-generated writing. More importantly, essays written by AI often lack the personal insight and emotional depth that admissions readers look for. Students should write their own essays and use outside tools carefully; focusing on clarity and structure rather than replacing their own voice.
With nearly two decades of experience reviewing thousands of college essays, I understand what admissions officers look for and how to help students tell their stories in a meaningful way. A thoughtful, well-crafted essay can strengthen an application and increase scholarship opportunities.
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