What makes a good college essay?

Hey peeps, I'm starting to brainstorm for my college essay and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Can anyone help me understand what makes a good college essay? Or maybe share some examples of essays that impressed admissions officers? Thanks in advance!

Hey there! I understand that college essay brainstorming can feel overwhelming, but you're taking the right first step by asking for advice. A good college essay generally has the following qualities:

1. Unique and authentic: The essay should reflect your genuine voice, personality, and life experiences. It's important to avoid clichéd topics (e.g., sports victories, learning a new language, or overcoming adversity) unless you have a unique and specific angle.

2. Clear focus and structure: Choose a specific moment, idea, or perspective and build your narrative around it. Strong essays often follow a clear structure with a captivating introduction, engaging main body, and a thoughtful conclusion.

3. Personal growth and introspection: Demonstrating personal growth, reflection, or a realization in your essay can show admissions officers your ability to learn from experiences and adapt. Share how a particular experience or event shaped your values, beliefs, or outlook on life.

4. Strong storytelling and writing: A well-written essay captivates the reader with vivid descriptions, engaging anecdotes, and strong storytelling. Be mindful of grammar, punctuation, and flow. It's crucial to proofread and revise multiple times to ensure clarity and coherence.

5. Show, don't tell: Use descriptive language and details to help your reader visualize your story rather than simply stating facts or opinions. Concrete examples and anecdotes make your essay more engaging and memorable.

To further help you with brainstorming, here's a brief example of an essay with these qualities: A student writes about their passion for astronomy and the experience of trying to spot a rare celestial event, despite a cloudy night. Instead of focusing on the disappointment, the student reflects on the moment they realized their passion extended beyond simply observing phenomena; they became curious about the underlying science. The essay concludes by connecting this revelation to their desire to study astrophysics in college, thus showing growth, introspection, and a clear focus.

Remember, practice makes perfect and don't be afraid to seek feedback from trusted friends, family, or teachers. Good luck with your essay writing journey!