In literature, an essay is a short piece of writing that presents an author’s perspective on any number of topics. In college applications, the function of the essay is the same, but the topic is the student themself!

That’s why college admission essays are so important! They give teens the chance to reveal aspects of who they are that aren’t presented in any other part of a college application. Essays may be the missing puzzle piece in an application that has many different parts.

Why do colleges care about essays?

Colleges use essays to distinguish between students, many of whom have similar academic backgrounds or profiles.

Colleges may think: “It’s great that you get good grades and spend a lot of time in clubs and activities! But what makes you, you? What makes you tick? What experiences have you had that distinguish you from other college-bound students? What motivates you?” A student gets to provide that information in the form of essay prompts or questions to help round out a student’s application.

What to expect: timelines & topics

Whether your student is applying to college using the Common App or a college’s own application, the prompts are usually released in late spring or early summer, which gives rising juniors and seniors a chance to work on their essays over the summer before application season starts in the fall.

You can find the full list of prompts on a college’s website.

Popular essay prompts

  • Reflect on a defining personal or family experience, or describe a unique “story” based on background, culture, interests, or talents
  • Explain who your favorite literary character is and why
  • Share what challenges you have overcome and what lessons you learned
  • Discuss when you were required to challenge a belief or assumption
  • Name an event that sparked a period of personal growth or self-awareness
  • Talk about a topic, idea or concept that is so captivating to you that you lose track of time in exploring it

And if none of the listed prompts gets your student’s creative juices flowing, they can share an essay on a topic of their choice.

Essay writing tips for teens

Here are some tips to share with your teen as they work on their essays.

  • Allow ample time for the entire essay writing process. Review each of the essay prompts, select the prompt(s) that you can best speak to, brainstorm and outline ideas, do first drafts and rewrites as needed.
  • Adhere to the word count. This lets the college know that you can follow directions and ensures you stay focused in your writing by keeping to the main ideas. Most guidelines offer a range of 250–650 words, with 500 words being a good target.
  • Get feedback on your essay. It can be quite useful to have someone with strong writing skills give you feedback on your essay. Though college admissions counselors advise that parents not be the ones to edit their student’s essays, there are unique dynamics at play with homeschooling parents and students, so have a conversation with your parents about this recommendation and use discretion in how you proceed. There are individuals and companies that offer college essay advising to students, so consider enlisting professional help if possible.  
  • Be original. The essay should provide a unique view of yours and not re-hash something stated elsewhere in the application.
  • Don’t be afraid to show your personality. Many of the formal rules that govern how a student crafts an academic composition can be set aside in the personal statement/essay. Yes, you should present clear ideas in an organized fashion with proper spelling, but essays can be a bit more informal, allowing your personality to shine through. When writing you can ask yourself, “Does this sound like me?”.
  • Be genuine in your writing. Unless it’s your personal style, refrain from using “big” words to just to impress your reader. Answer the prompt that most aligns with who you are, and do it in a way that reflects how you actually speak. Of course, remember that the goal is to be accepted to college, so even though honest self-expression is encouraged, be careful not to use profane or inflammatory language, or slang that can be easily misinterpreted.
  • Include unique elements. Remember that most 16–18-year-olds are very similar and have similar activities. What unique element can you include that others might not be able to? For example, many students play sports, but what nuance can you offer about your experience on your sports team? If you can’t find enough details, it may be a good idea to select another story or choose another prompt.
  • You can use humor! Profound experiences are always welcome topics, but so are a student’s most embarrassing moments, or the less-than-stellar attributes that you take in stride and embrace with good humor. This shows that you don’t take yourself too seriously and indicates how you can handle the inevitable ups and downs that come with college life.

FAQs

Can my student use AI to help write their essay?

The use of AI to write admission essays is strongly discouraged. Colleges will reject or withdraw acceptance if they find that a student used AI to write their essay. It is fine to have others review the essay and give feedback, but the words and ideas should be a student’s own.

Is my student allowed to submit the same essay to multiple colleges?

We do not recommend submitting the same essay to multiple colleges. Colleges want to know that prospective students have an eagerness to attend their college; writing a personalized essay is a way to communicate that eagerness.

Students that are applying to college by using the Common App will submit a “Personal Statement” that will be distributed to each of their selected schools. Each college may require one or more additional essays.  

Reviewing requirements early will help a student save enough time to write any essays they need.

If a college states that essays are “optional”, should my student still submit one?

Even when essays are optional, college counselors recommend that students take the time to write one. It shows a teen’s eagerness to share their perspectives and demonstrates their willingness to go the extra mile.

Submitting an essay can add value to your student’s application, especially if it provides details that highlight your students’ abilities, circumstances, goals, and experiences.

When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to ask your student’s prospective colleges how they treat optional essays and why they give students the choice.

How do I help my teen write authentically?

It can be challenging for some 16–18-year-olds to write college application essays, because it requires them to talk about their inner world in an authentic way.

Teens feel things deeply, but they may lack the words to talk about those feelings. You can help by inviting your student to think deeply about themselves. Perhaps encourage them to start a journal or reflect on words and qualities that describe them. The College Essay Guy is just one resource that offers tips on brainstorming ideas for college essays.

So, there you have the information you need to guide your teen in crafting an interesting and thought-provoking essay that can be a great exercise for them, and that will get the attention of admissions counselors!