Tips On Writing The Undergraduate Admissions Essay

Writing that perfect admissions essay

The admissions essay is your chance to stand out among thousands of other students who have outstanding GPAs, ridiculously interesting extracurriculars, countless AP credits, and spent their summers curing diseases (okay, maybe just working at Starbucks, but you get the point). But you? You're unique, and this essay is your chance to show that!

Grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s break down the best strategies to ensure your admissions essay screams, "LET ME IN," without sounding like a desperate infomercial.

1. Start Early (Like, Yesterday Early)

Procrastination may work for cramming that chemistry final, but an admissions essay? Not so much. You need time to let your ideas marinate. This isn’t your high school book report where you can wing it after reading the first and last chapters of The Great Gatsby. And there are no "Cliff's Notes" for how to get it done.

Starting early gives you time to brainstorm, draft, rewrite, cry a little, rewrite again, and—eventually—submit a polished masterpiece. In addition, you'll want someone like me to put eyes to it -- to make sure that you're putting your best foot forward. Feedback takes time, it can't be rushed.

Pro Tip:

Jot down ideas. Run them by me and explain what's appealing about the idea. Consider creating an outline once you settle on an idea. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Use bullet points. It helps you organize your thoughts, stay on track, and avoid a narrative that reads like a fever dream.

Who’s reading your essay? Probably not your cousin who thinks everything you do is "so lit." Admissions officers have read more essays than you’ve had late-night snacks, and they can smell a cliché from a mile away. You need to speak their language.

Colleges want to know who you are—beyond your grades and test scores. They want a sense of your personality, your values, and what you’ll bring to their campus. Are you the type to start a revolution? Or will you be the one they can count on to show up with snacks during finals week? Both types are cool. Just make sure your essay shows them which one you are.

Pro Tip:

Research the college! Show them you’re not just casting a wide net. Slip in a reference to something specific about the school, like that cool program in underwater basket weaving that you’re dying to try.

2. Know Your Audience (Hint: It’s Not Your Best Friend)

3. Tell a Story (No, Not That Time You Got Lost in IKEA)

Story-telling is powerful. A good essay should read less like a resume and more like the first chapter of a novel where you’re the main character. Was there a specific moment that changed your perspective? A challenge you overcame? Tell that story!

But be careful. You want this story to highlight something meaningful about you and relevant to the admissions decision-making process. Think of a moment that reveals who you are and how you think. Add kudos if it demonstrates something you learned about yourself and reveals glimpses of your character.

Pro Tip:

Keep it focused. One strong, well-told story is better than a list of achievements that reads like a song playlist. Remember, it’s quality, not quantity.

4. Be Yourself (Unless You’re a Robot, Then Be a Cool Robot)

It’s tempting to write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear, but the best essays are the ones that feel authentic. Don’t try to sound like Shakespeare if your natural voice is more “TikTok star with a side of sarcasm.” Authenticity shines through.

If you’re funny, be funny. If you’re introspective, go deep. If you’ve got a weird obsession with collecting vintage vinyl, own it! Admissions officers can spot fake enthusiasm or overblown achievements a mile away, and it’s not a good look.

Pro Tip:

Write how you speak, but don’t go overboard. Your essay shouldn’t sound like a series of tweets, but it should reflect your unique voice and personality.

5. Avoid the Usual Suspects (Aka: The Cliché Traps)

Certain topics in admissions essays are so overused they’ve become the essay equivalent of a jump scare in a bad horror movie. Here are a few to avoid:

• The “Sports Triumph” Essay: You scored the winning goal in the big game? Great! So did 10,000 other applicants. Sports can be part of your essay, but don’t make it the whole story. The story should reveal something about your character or something you learned about yourself.

• The “Mission Trip That Changed My Life” Essay: Unless your mission trip involved something truly unique (like teaching narwhals to dance), think twice before using this. Again, you have to differentiate yourself from other applicants, not repeat similar stories.

• The “Overcoming a Minor Challenge” Essay: Yes, getting a C on your midterm was tough, but admissions officers are looking for bigger challenges. Think of something that really shaped who you are. But, be careful. Don't overdivulge personal information that might make a committee wonder if you can handle a strenuous college workload.

Pro Tip:

If you must tackle one of these topics, do it in a fresh and original way. Bring your unique perspective or focus on a specific, lesser-known detail that sets your story apart.

6. Hook 'Em Early (Like, First Sentence Early)

Your opening line is your first chance to grab the reader’s attention. Admissions officers are busy people, and if your first sentence is “I have always wanted to attend [Insert College Here],” they may mentally check out before finishing the paragraph.

Instead, hit them with something unexpected! It could be funny, thought-provoking, or even a little mysterious. Just make sure it makes them want to keep reading. My son wrote an essay where he encouraged the admissions committee to "swipe right." He built his essay around how applying to college was like being on a really stressful dating app. The strategy worked. He was accepted to his first pick school, the University of Richmond.

Pro Tip:

Try starting with a quirky fact about yourself or a vivid memory. Something like, “The smell of gasoline always reminds me of summer” or “I was ten years old when I decided I wanted to become a pirate, and frankly, I’m still not over it.” Just be careful with humor. Don't offend anyone and don't come off sounding flippant. Make sure the essay still has substance.

7. Show, Don’t Tell (But Seriously, Just Show)

Anyone can say they’re hardworking, passionate, and motivated. But showing it? That’s where the magic happens. Instead of saying, “I’m a leader,” tell a story about the time you organized a fundraiser that saved your school’s art program.

The key is to let your actions and experiences speak for themselves. It’s way more compelling to read about how you handled a challenging situation than to hear you say you have great problem-solving skills.

Pro Tip:

Use concrete examples. Vivid, specific details will make your essay more engaging and memorable. Remember, no one ever said, “Wow, I really connected with that general statement about ambition.”

8. Don’t Forget to Answer the Prompt (Seriously, Don’t)

It’s easy to get carried away telling your life story, but remember to answer the actual question. Admissions officers are reading your essay for a reason—they want to know how you fit with their school and what you’ll bring to the campus community. It's all about matching with the kind of student they want on campus.

Before you hit submit, go back and make sure your essay aligns with the prompt. Did you actually answer the question, or did you take a scenic detour through your personal history?

Pro Tip:

Put eyes on your essay, especially those folks who know something about college admissions (like me). After you finish your essay, ask someone else to read the prompt and your response. If they can’t figure out how the two are related, it’s time for some revisions.

9. Revise, Revise, Revise (And Then Have Someone Else Revise)

You may be a great writer, but nobody gets it right on the first draft. You won't either. Writing a great admissions essay isn’t just about what you put down on paper—it’s also about what you take out. Your first draft will likely be full of unnecessary words, awkward phrases, and run-on sentences that would make your English teacher weep. That’s okay!

The key is to edit ruthlessly. When a teacher tells you to "write concisely", that's what they mean. Fewer words = better essay. Why? Because fewer words means you have more room to express more ideas, and you're less likely to burden the reader with long, ugly sentences that are indecipherable.

After you’ve done a couple of rounds of self-editing, get some fresh eyes on it. Ask a teacher, parent, or friend to read your essay and offer feedback. Just make sure they’re not too nice—constructive criticism is what will make your essay shine.

Pro Tip:

Don’t be afraid to cut entire paragraphs if they’re not working. Every word should serve a purpose, and if it doesn’t? Chop it!

10. Proofread Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Kind Of Does)

Relatedly, you could write the most brilliant, heartfelt essay the world has ever seen, but if it’s full of typos, the admissions officer will be too distracted by your creative spelling of “definitely” to appreciate your genius. Typos happen to the best of us, so proofread—many times. If you struggle with grammar, syntax, and spelling, ask someone to help you (that's what I'm here for as well!).

Pro Tip:

Read your essay out loud. It’s amazing how many errors you can catch when you hear the words instead of just reading them. Plus, reading aloud slows you down a bit so that you don't skip over those subtle grammar and punctuation errors.

And there you have it! With these strategies, you’re well on your way to writing an undergraduate admissions essay that will have colleges knocking on your door. Or at least sending a very polite rejection letter. Either way, you’ve got this! Now, go forth and write your way to academic glory!

Need Help With That College Essay?

That's what I'm here for! I specialize in helping students with their writing. That includes the undergraduate admissions essay! There's no need to get frustrated or struggle when help is readily available to you. Plus, there's nothing worse than spending hours and hours on the essay and not knowing if it really helps your application. That's where I come in. Just complete the form and contact me. I'll schedule an online Zoom meeting with you and we'll go from there. We'll work on much more than just your essay. We'll craft a strategy to help you get into the school of your choice. Obviously, there are no guarantees. But, you'll take comfort in knowing that you will be making all the right moves.