As the time of year approaches when high school seniors across the country begin to apply to college, so does the impending dread of what to write about in their Common App essays. It’s a well-known fact that cliché topics, such as the family dog dying or that hard-earned A in AP Chemistry, are not ideal for the Common App. In order to make sense of what students should write about in their college application essays, I reached out to several college admissions counselors and students from universities nationwide in order to gather the best tips for applying to college this fall.
Be Authentic
Just because you’re applying to a prestigious university doesn’t mean you should throw your personality out the window. Authenticity is crucial – admissions officers want to see the real you.
“If you forget to put your name on your essay and drop it somewhere, anyone in your class should be able to know who it belongs to because of the content and the voice of the writing,” said John Landers, the Assistant Director of the Office of Admissions at Purdue.
Infuse your writing with witty commentary, poke fun at yourself or a situation, and provide insight into who you are as a person. Translate your thoughts, feelings, and personality in a way that is captivating, intentional and charismatic.
Show, Don’t Tell
Have you ever watched a movie where every action of the characters was narrated? The answer is no, because that would be painfully boring. So don’t do that in your essay.
“It’s important to be descriptive in your essay because it shows colleges who you really are. The people reading your essay have only seen you through numbers or your extracurriculars, but an essay done right can show them that your personality is a good fit for the college,” said Gourav Pany, 2025 CGHS graduate and first year student at Purdue.
For instance, if you were a soccer player whose team had just won the state championship, don’t just say, “It made me happy.” Describe how the stadium lights shone on your face as you sprinted toward the elated faces of your teammates. Paint a vivid picture that draws your reader into your experience.
Start Strong
I appreciate a RACE response just as much as the next person, but the truth is you can’t simply say, “I want to go to this college because I love to learn.” I mean, sure, you could phrase it like that, but you’re not exactly setting the world on fire with that start. Your introduction should present a thought, fact, or topic that sparks curiosity in your audience.
“Use vivid hooks that include tons and tons of sensory details and really paint a comprehensive picture in the reader’s head. Make it special, fun and creative,” said Audrey Booher, 2025 CGHS graduate and first year student at the University of Miami.
Some of the most memorable college application essays in recent years have opened with unexpected scenarios – like accidentally shooting a sibling with a BB gun or reflecting on the letter “S.” Choose a hook that is unique, interesting, and makes the audience want to know more about you.
Determine Key Takeaways
The most important aspect of your Common App essay is what your audience learns from it. What is the one thing you want admissions officers to remember about you? This may seem simple, but the reality is that this is what students struggle with the most. Lost in the haze of showcasing all of their amazing qualities and achievements, students fail to stress what matters most about them.
“My top tip for a college application essay is to choose something that shows your character, and not just your achievement…This can be anything. One of the most impactful essays I’ve ever read was from a student who, when he turned 16, decided to get a job and help his mom out with bills. He wrote mostly about how he grew from the experience, what he learned about himself, and how it translated to the values of the university he was applying to,” said Sara Barker, the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Ball State University.
This doesn’t mean that you should neglect to mention your victory in the 5th grade Spelling Bee, but perhaps you prioritize explaining your goals for the future or your biggest hopes for college prior to your ability to spell “hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia”.
Although these aren’t all the ways to make your Common App stand out, they are starting points for writing a compelling and well-thought-out introduction of yourself. College applications can be daunting, but you’re not alone. There are roughly 3 million seniors across the United States who are also stressing about college applications. So when you start to feel overwhelmed, remember the wise words of Troy Bolton: we’re all in this together.
