Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What makes a college essay stand out?

Hey everyone! I want to start working on my college essays soon, and I'm wondering what I can do to make them stand out. I've heard that admissions officers read so many essays, and I want to make sure mine is memorable and unique. Any tips or examples of successful essays would be helpful!

a year ago

Hey there! It's great that you're starting to work on your college essays. To make your essay stand out, you'll want to focus on a few key things. First, make sure your essay tells a story about you that's not already apparent from the rest of your application. This is your chance to showcase an aspect of your personality or experiences that may not be covered in your grades, test scores, or extracurricular activities. Second, try to be genuine and authentic. Admissions officers can tell when a student is trying too hard to impress them, so don't be afraid to be yourself and speak from the heart. Third, remember that the essay is also a writing sample, so pay close attention to grammar, punctuation, and style. It's important to convey your ideas clearly and effectively. Finally, don't be afraid to take risks and be creative, but make sure your essay still has a clear focus and purpose. As for examples of successful essays, you might want to check out some published essay collections or search online for essays that have been praised by admissions officers. Just remember that what works for one person may not work for another, so use these examples as inspiration, but ultimately write an essay that's true to you. Good luck!

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.