What should a college essay say about you?

The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through. Others write about a subject that they don’t care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.

What is a good common app essay?

Common App Essay prompts The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea.

Are essays more important than extracurriculars?

At the top 250 schools, your essays generally account for 25% of your overall application. This is only slightly behind the 30% for extracurriculars. Essays are actually ahead of the 20% for grades and coursework, 15% for test scores, and 10% for recommendations and interviews.

How important is the I in an essay?

1st Person Singular Some say not to use the word I in an essay. Others say it is fine. If you do use it, it is best to use I only in an introduction (and to a lesser extent, the conclusion), rather than in the body of the essay. But use it sparingly; otherwise you can come across as too self-important.

Is a personal statement the same as a college essay?

Personal statement — an essay you write to show a college admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to be admitted to their school. It’s worth noting that, unlike “college essay,” this term is used for application essays for graduate school as well. College essay—basically the same as a personal statement.

How do you write an introductory paragraph for an essay?

The First Paragraph: The Introduction

1. Describe your main idea, or what the essay is about, in one sentence.
2. Develop a thesis statement, or what you want to say about the main idea.
3. List three points or arguments that support your thesis in order of importance (one sentence for each).

What is the difference between personal statement and personal essay?

An essay is a structured piece of writing that deals with a particular subject. A personal statement, on the other hand, is a form of essay that relays autobiographical information about its author.

Is it bad to have a short common app essay?

Key Takeaways: Common Application Essay Length Don’t assume shorter is better. A college requires an essay because they want to learn more about you. Never go over the limit. Show that you can follow instructions and that you know how to edit.

How important is the common app essay?

The Common App essay is a key part of your college application. According to a 2019 study conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, 56.4% of colleges surveyed considered the personal statement “moderately” or “considerably” important in the admissions process.