Tips for Effective College Admission Essays

Increased competition to get into top schools makes the admission essay a critical part of the application process. Learn how to make your essay stand out from the crowd.

When it comes to getting into the school of your choice, the competition has never been fiercer than it is right now. Colleges are seeing record numbers of students applying for an ever-shrinking number of spots. With so many worthy candidates vying for so few places, the difference between success and failure can often come down to college admission essays.

No matter what type of undergraduate or post-graduate degree you are hoping to get, it’s critical that you make a good impression with the school’s admissions staff. Your medical school or MBA admission essay is often the one opportunity that you have to showcase the unique talents and intangible qualities that will make you stand out from the competition. Here are a few tips on how to help yourself when writing your admission essay:

Write in a concise and direct manner: Applicants frequently flood their graduate school admission essay with “SAT words” meant to highlight the breadth of their vocabulary and knowledge. Unfortunately, this usually has the opposite impact as intended on admissions counselors who are reading it. You want your writing to be captivating instead of forced and overwrought. Focus on telling your story as a student and how to best get that across to the reader.

Get personal: Your admission essay is your one chance to go beyond your list of achievements and give your personal story. In many cases, admissions officers are looking for reasons beyond grades and test scores to show why a person will excel at their university. Feel free to use examples from your life to draw the reader into your story. For example, if you are writing a medical school admission essay, go beyond talking about your grades and write about why you want to become a doctor. If you were sickly as a child or had a family member with medical problems, this shows that you have the passion to stick with the program when things get rough.

Edit, rewrite and edit again: No matter how compelling your essay is, if there are any typos, misspelling or other errors it is worthless. After all, a law school application personal statement with structural problems doesn’t speak well to your ability to file flawless court documents. Give yourself plenty of time to review and rework your initial drafts until you have an essay that you are perfectly comfortable with submitting.