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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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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)

How do I make my application essay stand out?

Hey guys, I'm a junior starting to work on my college application essays. I'm really struggling to come up with a unique and engaging topic that will make my essay stand out. Any tips or suggestions on how to write an exceptional essay? Your input would be really helpful. Thanks a lot!

a year ago

Hey! I can relate to your struggle, as my child went through the same process not long ago. The key to making your application essay stand out is to choose a topic that showcases your personality and experiences in a unique way. Don't worry about having a groundbreaking story; instead, focus on telling your own story in an engaging manner. Here are a few tips that might help:

1. Reflect on your personal experiences: Think about moments in your life that have shaped you or made you grow as a person. These can be anything from a challenging obstacle you overcame to a simple yet meaningful interaction.

2. Be authentic: Be true to yourself and write about something you genuinely care about. Avoid trying to guess what the admissions officers want to read.

3. Show, don't tell: Use vivid descriptions and anecdotes to illustrate your point. This will make your essay more engaging and memorable.

4. Edit and revise: Don't be afraid to rewrite and rework your essay multiple times. Getting feedback from others can also be invaluable in refining your essay.

Best of luck, and I'm sure you'll write an amazing essay!

a year ago

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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.