Step 1-1
Your Writing Voice
Your essay IS NOT about an event. It's not about winning a championship, meeting homeless kids on a church trip to Panama, leading the robotics team, or how Hamilton is your favorite play. It’s about how those experiences changed you - WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Use this opportunity to reflect:
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How did the experience shape who you are?
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What did you learn about yourself?
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How are you different because of it?
Everyday Experiences
Some of the best essays come from simple, everyday moments - like skipping your volleyball match to babysit your brother, how you learned to successfully wrap a burrito at Chipotle, or auditioning for a school play.
Ordinary moments often reveal our truest selves and have meaningful life lessons.
Standing Out
Your essay is your chance to showcase your strengths or something new about yourself that is not already included in your application.
Don’t waste space repeating your activity list. Instead, use the essay to answer the real question admissions readers are asking:
“Who is this student?”
Think of it as a way to introduce yourself to admission reps. And what makes your essay stand out isn’t just the story - it’s your voice.
No one else can tell your story the way you can.
It's OK to Sound Like a Student!
Admissions officers expect you to sound like a 17 or 18 year-old - because you are! If your essay sounds too polished or “adult,” it can raise red flags. It can even cost you an admissions offer if the reader thinks you didn't write it yourself.
Hold off on feedback from parents or English teachers. Parents often (unknowingly) replace your voice with theirs, and English teachers tend to treat a college essay like a formal paper, not a personal story. Their feedback can clash with my advise. You’ll have an opportunity to collect input from others in the final steps, if you decide to do so.
Your Unique Voice
Your authentic, unique voice is what makes your essay stand out. Trust it.
Your writing voice is as unique as how you speak. Maybe you’re funny, thoughtful, direct, or a little quirky - that’s what makes your writing YOU.
Don’t try to sound like someone else or use fancy words to impress. Just be you.
What Happened & Why It Matters
Here’s an opening line from a college essay: “I would have never guessed I had intestinal parasites dining on my insides.”
Gross, but it grabbed the University of Oregon’s attention - and helped the student get into the Honors College.
Why? Because she told a compelling story. She used the experience to explain how an autoimmune condition (what happened) led to new habits, stress management, and a career interest in health care (why it mattered).
It wasn’t just about parasites - it was about growth. The story was authentic, personal, and memorable.
Can I use AI?
Do you want your essay to blend in or stand out?
If you want to shine, don’t rely on AI to write your essay. It might produce something decent, but not going to be unique.
Admissions readers can tell when an essay sounds generic or lacks personal detail.
Plus, some colleges ban AI use and run essays through an AI checker. Play it safe and be yourself.
What Should I Write About?
The college essay is different from anything you’ve written before. For many students, it’s the first time writing in the first person and reflecting on something that can shape their future.
That might feel intimidating - but you’ve got this!
Don’t worry about picking the “perfect” topic.
What matters most is that it shows growth, insight, and who you are.
There are very few off-limits topics if you're being real and honest.
It's not a school report or a five-paragraph essay. And it’s not about selling yourself.
It’s about inviting the reader to meet the person behind the application.
Let’s get started - you’ve got a story worth telling.